The Bankhouse Diner (and quirky crafts) formerly B H Grill, Bean Encounter & B H Wine Bar.

tek-monkey

wanna see my snake?
You'd think when something is so obviously the councils fault you'd be able to get compensation, it's a real piss take that businesses have to close due to piss poor planning by those we pay to look after us.
 

Feed The Goat

Well-Known Forumite
Some businesses close due being badly run.

This is not the case with this place. The owner Jonathan brought something to Stafford which was a little bit different to the chains. His experience with running similar establishments meant he could compete with the chain coffee shops. He was running quite nicely with a busy outlet.

He could not plan for what was to happen next. The car park closed, footfall was annihilated, the street was empty.

The council said in November that they would try to get to get the car park open for Christmas shoppers.

They should have been honest and said : It is not our car park, we can do nothing about it.

A sorry state of affairs.
 

Gramaisc

Forum O. G.
Not any more it isn't. So nothing the council can do.
They could use some of the the money they gained from their sale of a public asset to compensate those disadvantaged by their actions - people who are expected to keep ladling money at them whilst their businesses subside around them.

It is not impossible, with a bit of forethought, to place conditions upon a sale. This project was obviously 'delicate' right from the outset and a collapse into the current farcical situation was clearly possible, if not actually inevitable.
 

tek-monkey

wanna see my snake?
They could use some of the the money they gained from their sale of a public asset to compensate those disadvantaged by their actions - people who are expected to keep ladling money at them whilst their businesses subside around them.

It is not impossible, with a bit of forethought, to place conditions upon a sale. This project was obviously 'delicate' right from the outset and a collapse into the current farcical situation was clearly possible, if not actually inevitable.

Exactly. They profited from selling something we paid for, and due to that others are now losing out. The developers should have had a strict timeframe to re-open the car park or face penalties, instead its just another nail in the coffin of the north of town.
 

Gareth

Well-Known Forumite
No offense, but I don't want public money to be spent to prop up private businesses, the idea of it is ridiculous......as sad as the situation is in that area it is not what public funds are for when councils haven't got the money to support the vulnerable.

The end of town needed development, it was already losing shops and north walls was tatty at best.

The idea on paper and the money to come into local coffers is a sound one.

The council aren't to blame for the car park not being open nor had the foresight to see the problems Morrisons would have at the times plans were passed in 2013.

It is sad and very disappointing north walls is not occupied nor open. It will have an effect while it stays that way.

But the new owners have now selected a company to manage the car park, so Jersey Ltd have made a bit of progress....albeit slowly. Until then it is a case dealing with it.

To be honest I hate it when good businesses close, but not sure why people get their knickers in such a twist, most people on here who moan probably are amongst the worst offenders for not visiting these places.

Town centre shops over the decades will have had significant turn over through the decades for varying reasons, its just what it is. Even the Swan was closed and in a right state before I think the Lewis Partnership saved it.

Once north walls is occupied with B&M very much on board and Lidl have opened discussions...and it will be open....just when. Then shops will occupy the smaller units in the vicinity. 2 more current empty units in Salter St are under offer and the old Goodchilds across the road has been taken....just hope they are something worthwhile.
 
Last edited:

tek-monkey

wanna see my snake?
You can get compensation for roadworks if it affect business, don't see why selling off the car park can't too. Back in the 90s when work was done in Eccleshall I know 2 shop owners that received compensation due to loss of trade, IIRC you had to have been trading for at least 3 years to be eligible.
 

Mikinton

Well-Known Forumite
You can get business rate relief during periods of roadworks; building maintenance etc
It sounds like access to the premises may need to be blocked.

This is from the County rather than the Borough

When a highway authority or undertaker carries out works in a road under its statutory powers or duties, there is no general liability in law for loss of trade resulting from a falling away in the number of passers-by and so no liability to pay compensation. It is a long established principle that traders have no right to any particular level of passing trade: business may fluctuate for a number of reasons.

However, there may be entitlement to compensation if something is done improperly, for instance if access to business premises is blocked and customers cannot gain access.


https://www.staffordshire.gov.uk/tr...o/stafford/Meaford-Improvements/FAQ/Q013.aspx
 

EasMid

Well-Known Forumite
While it's a shame for any business to close I don't think anyone can realistically put all the blame on the fact that a carpark closed a couple of years ago. Just out of curiosity was the original North Walls carpark actually open when Bean Encounter opened? I can't remember but if it was open it can't have been there for long after Bean Encounter opened.
 

Wormella

Well-Known Forumite
On the basis we couldn't get a table earlier in Bean Encounter for lunch it's obviously doing ok on a Saturday.
 

c0tt0nt0p

Well-Known Forumite
While it's a shame for any business to close I don't think anyone can realistically put all the blame on the fact that a carpark closed a couple of years ago. Just out of curiosity was the original North Walls carpark actually open when Bean Encounter opened? I can't remember but if it was open it can't have been there for long after Bean Encounter opened.
It was... Let's not forget that the car park was still open and operating for a long period whilst the main unit was being constructed....I can't remember how long bean encounter was open before the car park closed but it has to be 18 months or so....
 

Gareth

Well-Known Forumite
On the basis we couldn't get a table earlier in Bean Encounter for lunch it's obviously doing ok on a Saturday.

You raise a great point. On recent visits or walking past at a weekend or weekday the place seems to be doing well.

We don't actually know why the place is up for let, the building has new owners through an auction a few months back, has rent gone up, does businesses owner want to sell up, move location or try a new venture.

We don't really know.
 
Top