Stafford shops closing - Turning into a ghost town?

Tumble weed

Well-Known Forumite
The Polish shop next to Shaw Trust - opposite Wickes - may have shut - it's been closed the last few times I've gone past, although there still seems to be stock in there.

Some mail is piling up behind the door now, too.

Seems that it's been closed about 3-4 weeks now, although they may be on holiday, a quick peep through, looks like the booze has been hidden out of sight / removed.

Tbh, that place is crying out for a small cafe or proper news agents / spar shop.

It'd be perfect for staff in that retail park lunch runs, the queue in lidl takes the piss, I know it's cheap, but having one member of staff on when they have 4 tills is a definite annoyance.
 

littleme

250,000th poster!
Seems that it's been closed about 3-4 weeks now, although they may be on holiday, a quick peep through, looks like the booze has been hidden out of sight / removed.

Tbh, that place is crying out for a small cafe or proper news agents / spar shop.

It'd be perfect for staff in that retail park lunch runs, the queue in lidl takes the piss, I know it's cheap, but having one member of staff on when they have 4 tills is a definite annoyance.
Just ask them to open another till, they always do....
 

proactive

Enjoying a drop of red.
Has something happened at Burton cycles, one of the few good traditional shops left in Stafford?
Nope it's open.

ETA that it does say Open As Usual on their window so clearly something has happened. No obvious signs from the front though.
 
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Gareth

Well-Known Forumite
I walk that shop everyday, that hand written sign has been up about 3 weeks from when I first noticed it. Not sure why though
 

Cue

Well-Known Forumite

£450,000.

I can understand lots of old buildings being sold for high prices, but £450,000 seems like a stupid amount of money for a tiny building that’s going to be incredibly difficult to do anything with due to the listed status and the fact that it’s so damn old.

There’s a whole bunch of available units in Stafford, they’re having a laugh if they think anyone will choose that one.
 

proactive

Enjoying a drop of red.
£450,000.

I can understand lots of old buildings being sold for high prices, but £450,000 seems like a stupid amount of money for a tiny building that’s going to be incredibly difficult to do anything with due to the listed status and the fact that it’s so damn old.

There’s a whole bunch of available units in Stafford, they’re having a laugh if they think anyone will choose that one.
It's a pension fund innit. So realistic expectations go out the window.
 

Feed The Goat

Well-Known Forumite
It's a pension fund innit. So realistic expectations go out the window.

Start high and you can always come down. Even with all the outbuildings at the back, £250k - £300k would be more realistic.

Renting it at £20k per annum may be a better bet, and looks good value compared to £50k per annum for Pastiche building.
 

proactive

Enjoying a drop of red.
Renting it at £20k per annum may be a better bet, and looks good value compared to £50k per annum for Pastiche building.
That was my initial thought but the upkeep on such a building can't be cheap and the roof looks suspiciously like it's going to need a re-thatch soonish. Not sure the profit on 20k pa would make it viable.

Then again it's a pretty unique proposition for somebody so you never know who might turn up with a suitcase full of £50 notes and snap it up.
 

Feed The Goat

Well-Known Forumite
That was my initial thought but the upkeep on such a building can't be cheap and the roof looks suspiciously like it's going to need a re-thatch soonish. Not sure the profit on 20k pa would make it viable.

Then again it's a pretty unique proposition for somebody so you never know who might turn up with a suitcase full of £50 notes and snap it up.

Yes, correct. My thoughts are that a new business would be better renting at £20k it rather than buying it at £450k. Either way you would want a decent roof before signing up.
 

c0tt0nt0p

Well-Known Forumite
Currently having my last latte in Starbucks in town. Closing today....

There's already scaffolding up outside......
 

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