Stafford shops closing - Turning into a ghost town?

[markpa12003]

When are the remaining units at the riverside going to open? I expected them to be open by now.

 

[Jonah]

When a company decides to rent them.

 

[gon2seed]

Don't know, but imagine they will be filled when the cinema opens or is at least is near to opening!
Don't think I am fortune teller, but I suspect the whole success of this development, and that of Stafford's eating/drinking/dancing entertainment Hub, is very dependant on this cinema's seats getting punters in! ................
My breath is well and truly baited, but I watch this development, with interest but no confidence of success!

 

[John Marwood]

Don't know, but imagine they will be filled when the cinema opens or is at least is near to opening!
Don't think I am fortune teller, but I suspect the whole success of this development, and that of Stafford's eating/drinking/dancing entertainment Hub, is very dependant on this cinema's seats getting punters in! ................
My breath is well and truly baited, but I watch this development, with interest but no confidence of success!

So the future of pies depends on Pinewood/Ealing getting its act together?


Lavender Hill Mob ll ?

 

[Gramaisc]

Lavender Hill Mob ll ?

They've remade The Ladykillers...


...and School for Scoundrels.

 

[John Marwood]

And St Trinian's ...badly

 

[Carole]

Don't know, but imagine they will be filled when the cinema opens or is at least is near to opening!

Now I know that everyone is different but we never go into town just "for a drink".

In fact we never go anywhere just for a drink. I used to years ago but now my nights out consist of "doing something" which may be theatre, comedy show, quiz, film, etc and we join that up with going somewhere to eat before or afterwards.

So definitely when the new Cinema is open we'll be in the town loads more in the evenings and partaking of the food and drinking establishments.

So if others think along the same lines as me then I'd say it's going to be a success and bring business to the town.

I'd definitely say that it will attract people from further out as well. People who will find Stafford easier to get to for the Cinema than Stoke, Birmingham or Telford.

 

[ChrisLewis]

Now I know that everyone is different but we never go into town just "for a drink".

In fact we never go anywhere just for a drink. I used to years ago but now my nights out consist of "doing something" which may be theatre, comedy show, quiz, film, etc and we join that up with going somewhere to eat before or afterwards.

So definitely when the new Cinema is open we'll be in the town loads more in the evenings and partaking of the food and drinking establishments.

So if others think along the same lines as me then I'd say it's going to be a success and bring business to the town.

I'd definitely say that it will attract people from further out as well. People who will find Stafford easier to get to for the Cinema than Stoke, Birmingham or Telford.

An excellent comment Carole, as we have always gone to Newcastle to eat or drink linked with a visit to the cinema, let's hope our new cinema is the catalyst for many people to visit Stafford.

 

[John Marwood]

There is half a plan.... to move some film production from London to the Midlands ( BBC )

Earl Street Comedies ?

 

[basil]

How about 'The Kingston Hill Mob' said the man in the white suit.....

 

[John Marwood]

How about 'The Kingston Hill Mob' said the man in the white suit.....

Now we're talking!!

 

[Jonah]

Now I know that everyone is different but we never go into town just "for a drink".

In fact we never go anywhere just for a drink. I used to years ago but now my nights out consist of "doing something" which may be theatre, comedy show, quiz, film, etc and we join that up with going somewhere to eat before or afterwards.

So definitely when the new Cinema is open we'll be in the town loads more in the evenings and partaking of the food and drinking establishments.

So if others think along the same lines as me then I'd say it's going to be a success and bring business to the town.

I'd definitely say that it will attract people from further out as well. People who will find Stafford easier to get to for the Cinema than Stoke, Birmingham or Telford.

I won't need to travel to Uttoxeter to watch films when the new cinema is open.

 

[Gareth]

Blimey some folk aren't half negative on this site.

The development has already been questioned even though fruits are already bearing, bearing in mind the same critics of the Riverside development (on this forum) were the high st was dying and had nothing to offer....that was before the the development started.

The proposed restaurants are still happening...even chiquitos who 3 months ago reconfigured internal plans. Prezzos are in talks to move their unit to what will be opposite wetherspoons. Coal as we know have submitted the alcohol license for a unit next to nandos.

For the retail part, around Jan time - 3 of the 4 units left had been taken I know one of the retailers who people will be very happy with, but in my line business I cannot say who that is.

A previous comment is valid about units being taken when the cinema is on its way to completion/ or completed, certainly applies to the restaurants.

People just have to be patient, I have known negotiations, contracts etc etc for retail units for national chains take 18 months-2 years, not common but it does happen.

Even without the cinema the town has significantly benefitted, this is for a town that wasn't going to improve its retail and food offer as it was- let us not forget the parking offer that dead that side of town.

Part 2, is now to improve the leisure offer and the rest will fall into. That how these developments work.

 

[gon2seed]

Have 'liked' Gareth's post, and realise after me 'liking' this may appear contradictory given what I had posted, I am genuinely upbeat about the Riverside development, just have developed a pessimistic view of the world in the last 9 years! (Mrs Evans will allude to this opinion of her husband's melancholic approach to life! Ed)

 

[bennett450]

I notice that this was posted on Facebook about the bean encounter

Hi all,

A sad announcement that the Bean will be closing on the 27th of May. The closing of the Kingsmead car park had a huge negative effect on the North Walls Business community. I was lucky to have such dedicated customers that seen us through this far, but I simply have to change the business in response to the current trading environment.

On our last day, May 27th, I am holding a PARTY starting at 8:00 pm. I will make a nice buffet to say thank you! Please come, meet friends and show your support.

The biggest issue is obviously parking, so I am opening when there is plenty of on street parking. There are parking permits available for on street parking. In doubt, just send me a message.

Friday and Saturday Nights
A romantic setting with Italian influenced cuisine starting at 6:30pm. As space is limited, please call ahead.

One side of the restaurant will be a Wine and Gin bar featuring the best wines and gins I have found over the years and in a relaxed setting. Feel free to come in for a drink and have a good conversation with your friends.

Saturday and Sunday Day
An indulgent brunch menu influenced by French cuisine with my normal Californian twists. The kitchen will open between 11:00 and 3:00 pm.

I will post a draft menu up shortly, I would love everyone's feedback.

If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to send me a message.

I have set up a new Facebook Page, Bank House Restaurant and Wine Bar. I will start posting on it soon, so please like us!

Cheers,
Jonathan

 

[Wormella]

I notice that this was posted on Facebook about the bean encounter

Draft menus here http://www.staffordforum.com/xf/index.php?threads/bean-encounter-bank-house-wine-bar.13811/page-7

 

[kyoto49]

Finally went to town today with the specific intention of going to Absolute Beginners with DD today. What a shop, it's exactly our cup of tea, reasonably priced, stocks stuff you're not likely to find half of Stafford wearing and the owner was friendly and helpful. This is EXACTLY the kind of store that will bring shoppers in to town. If i'm honest it's the wrong end of the town for us, but it's well worth the extra walk. Hopefully the people of Stafford shop here and keep it open, although I'm not optimistic as the lady said today was her busiest day for a while. Was really nice to go to a privately owned store and talk to random strangers with similar interests! Plus we spent real actual money which is something we find hard to do in Staffords mass market clothes stores.

go visit, it's ace

 

[bunique]

@kyoto49 did you notice what kind of sizes she stocks? The window display stufff always looks lovely but suited to very skinny people, of which I am not

 

[Gareth]

Well I started looking for the new shops opening thread as alot of posts have been made in this thread that have nothing to with shops closing.....in fact recently it has been more to do with new places opening / coming, so I was going to list some new openings/ due to open in the new shops opening thread.

But admin shut it down in 2014 due it being a mega thread...at 52 pages......this is at 55 pages.

I think the idea is would people would start to post threads relevant to specifics I.e. new wine bar which doesn't seem to he happening on the whole now.

Therefore positive news is being posted and a little lost under a less positive thread.

Admin any thoughts ??

 

[Wormella]

I always found the mega threads (shops opening & shops closing) easier to follow - possibly one new mega one for 'Stafford Retail News' might work