This blog has already mentioned the changes at Outdoor Traders who opened a Bike Shop where Braggs used to be. There has been a lot more shop changes in May …
In West St Helen Street, The Qutis Clinic has opened to provide skin treatment.
A-Plan Insurance are at 3 High Street,
but they are just about to move into larger premises at 7-9 High Street (previously the 9TP shop and before that Modern Music).
The Thai Orchid Supermarket looks to have closed. The restaurant upstairs is still going.
Over the road Ybuynu opened a clothing boutique where the Mobile Phone Shop used to be. Their first day was Monday.
I’m crushed to hear that A-Plan are moving into the old Modern Music store, the wasted potential of that unit is second only to the wasted potential of the Old Gaol site.
it’s a shop unit – can’t see harrods moving in. better that someone wants it.
I totally agree with you Ashley. What do A-Plan need such a big unit for!! It seems such a waste.
I notice that ‘Cathy’s Sandwich Bar’ has appeared where Mega Bonus used to be. Not sure if open yet.
A Plan have transformed what was a blott on the High St to the high standard of their present shop at no 3, this must be a good thing for the town.
The Old Gaol was “flogged off” behind closed doors and windows, and represent s no credit to the town at all.
Agree that good we have a plan on high street – financial products are increasingly complicated and nice to have the chance to talk to a human being rather than dealing purely over the phone.
The unit that a-plan have moved to isn’t bigger really in square footage, they have just gone from 3 floors to 1
The old gaol was sold to people who are actually developing it rather than leaving it to the public sector to turn it into a bottomless money pit, get over it.
What does strike me though is how many quirky and interesting empty shops there have been round town and yet instead of focusing in that we have all the efforts of the council on the dull, boring, “could be any ruddy town” precinct…
As long as the units are filled, we should all be happy. Nothing worse than an empty shop! Wait until the precinct is finished, it’s going to look wonderful!
Are there any indications as to which company, if any, might be taking over the premises vacated by A Plan?
@SmithD The Old Gaol was sold via the normal procedure for such sales. The bids were kept confidential until after the final decision was made in order to, quite rightly, maximise the sale price. The process was later looked at (by the District Auditor I believe) and was given the all clear.
Thai orchid best restaurant ever been to. Now the restaurant is closed. Seen some ppl there today doing some work. Either stripping out furniture or refurbishing. I hope it comes back, maybe with a downstairs