Stafford shops closing - Turning into a ghost town?

Mudgie

Well-Known Forumite
I have given that a few minutes' thought and all I can come up with that is owned by the trader currently occupying it is Stafford Trade & Home Supplies on Weston Road.

There may be a few others - perhaps.
Yes, but Marcus has put it up for sale.
 

Tilly

Well-Known Forumite
Bit off-topic but is anywhere in town actually owned fully, Not rented? is it not possible to buy buildings outright anymore?

I don't really have a clue about all that stuff, for example I thought casa was owned / not rented

Sorry for my stupidity

I'm just planning on winning the lottery tomorrow, and buying all of stafford town, and making the buildings all into macy's ! might keep gregg's as it is for a bit of variety

Cheers

I've put an offer in on Gordon Mills

Inside left back for Ipswich Town

I think the hair salon chain is still family owned

Other than that why on earth would anyone want to own a piece of real estate in a dying dickensian post european amazonian era anyway?

OK maybe the half mile building in Rugeley is valid

Hovverboards all round!
 

RobUSA

Well-Known Forumite
I think one macy's would be more than enough.
macys.jpg
If we can't attract a Lewis's I think Macy's is right out.
 

Tumble weed

Well-Known Forumite
Couture / The Top of The World nightclub is owned outright, hence why they're not too worried about the pandemic.

The guy also snaps up any smaller properties on the high street as and when.

I believe he owns all above subway opposite casa, including the vape shop, and the old fancy dress shop , right next to the club which he has converted to apartments.

And the big car park, behind the take aways.

He also owns various things within Staffordshire.
 

Mudgie

Well-Known Forumite
I've never understood why landlords would rather have an empty unit asking extortionate rent than reduce the rent and have a chance of letting the unit. I'm a simple person though!
I've never understood why businesses pay extortionate rents rather than buying premises.
Not many years ago Enterprise Inns had the Tavern up for sale at less than £200,000 freehold. I remember it best as the Bath Hotel but customers since of Pitchers Wine Bar, Dougals, Seamus O'Donnells and the Tavern will know it as a sizeable three storey building, surely larger than Thorntons was and available at equivalent to six years rent of £35,500.
 

Lucy

Well-Known Forumite
Having the money to buy a premises when you are just setting up a business isn't that straightforward. Plus then you are liable for all the maintenance, and if shopping habits change etc. you are left with a massively reducing asset.
 

Tumble weed

Well-Known Forumite
I've never understood why businesses pay extortionate rents rather than buying premises.
Not many years ago Enterprise Inns had the Tavern up for sale at less than £200,000 freehold. I remember it best as the Bath Hotel but customers since of Pitchers Wine Bar, Dougals, Seamus O'Donnells and the Tavern will know it as a sizeable three storey building, surely larger than Thorntons was and available at equivalent to six years rent of £35,500.
They probably should have sold it when they had the chance, as is , it's probably only worth 50-100k, heard it's in a really bad way inside, and the cellar was never pumped out from when it was flooded.

Think it was gutted internally about 3 years ago, then all work came to a Holt.
 

tek-monkey

wanna see my snake?
Having the money to buy a premises when you are just setting up a business isn't that straightforward. Plus then you are liable for all the maintenance, and if shopping habits change etc. you are left with a massively reducing asset.

The way some landlords insist on long leases you're stuck anyway, but it's the age old issue of buying being cheaper but nobody will lend you the money unless you're already flush.
 

tek-monkey

wanna see my snake?
They probably should have sold it when they had the chance, as is , it's probably only worth 50-100k, heard it's in a really bad way inside, and the cellar was never pumped out from when it was flooded.

Think it was gutted internally about 3 years ago, then all work came to a Holt.
Heard the same, any potential buyer may need to pay for it's demolition.
 

Mudgie

Well-Known Forumite
They probably should have sold it when they had the chance, as is , it's probably only worth 50-100k, heard it's in a really bad way inside, and the cellar was never pumped out from when it was flooded.

Think it was gutted internally about 3 years ago, then all work came to a Holt.
Yes, but the Shrewsbury Arms was no better and Angus McMeeking has made a go of that when Enterprise Inns couldn't.
 
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Mudgie

Well-Known Forumite
Couture / The Top of The World nightclub is owned outright, hence why they're not too worried about the pandemic.

The guy also snaps up any smaller properties on the high street as and when.

I believe he owns all above subway opposite casa, including the vape shop, and the old fancy dress shop , right next to the club which he has converted to apartments.

And the big car park, behind the take aways.

He also owns various things within Staffordshire.
Paul Cope apparently owned loads of properties locally.
Now whatever happened to him ? !
 
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Tumble weed

Well-Known Forumite
A real shame about the tavern, who actually owns the building atm ? I assume even the flats above are now vacant due to the state of the place.

Those remaining letters on the side should be removed by whoever owns the plot if nothing else, it's literally an accident waiting to happen.
 

Mudgie

Well-Known Forumite
A real shame about the tavern, who actually owns the building atm ? I assume even the flats above are now vacant due to the state of the place.

Those remaining letters on the side should be removed by whoever owns the plot if nothing else, it's literally an accident waiting to happen.
It's probably now owned by Stonegate who took over Enterprise Inns two years ago.
 

Cue

Well-Known Forumite
I've never understood why businesses pay extortionate rents rather than buying premises.
Not many years ago Enterprise Inns had the Tavern up for sale at less than £200,000 freehold. I remember it best as the Bath Hotel but customers since of Pitchers Wine Bar, Dougals, Seamus O'Donnells and the Tavern will know it as a sizeable three storey building, surely larger than Thorntons was and available at equivalent to six years rent of £35,500.

30%+ mortgage deposit generally puts a lot of people off. Plus it requires a desirable premises to actually be for sale
 

Mudgie

Well-Known Forumite
30%+ mortgage deposit generally puts a lot of people off. Plus it requires a desirable premises to actually be for sale
And that's why renting is often the easiest option - although it's the property owners that then dictate the terms and conditions.
 
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