Guildhall closure?

Zylo

Well-Known Forumite

Yep been a couple that have gone, as they've got a few new staff in.

Think the irish lady is the only one that remains that has been for there quite a long time and is bar manager I think, new staff seem lovely though, i've not been in much since it opened up again due to no gigs at the moment.

Isn't it a listed building? I can't see them being able to turn that into flats?
 

Glam

Mad Cat Woman
I haven't seen Egg for years, he used be quite good friends with my eldest, but as with everything in life, you drift apart.
 

Noah

Well-Known Forumite

rudie111

Well-Known Forumite
I was there from 1997 - 2003 (ish). I worked there during my time in the 6th form and in the holidays from university. I also worked there with my twin brother, so that might give you a clue who I am.

I think I know. I think I was there from 2001-2004 ish. There was a decent group during that time. I pop in every now and then and there are still some of the old faces there. Good times!
 

Zylo

Well-Known Forumite
At least there will be even more people (including the new estates) for all the barbers and takeaways which make up about 60% of town I bet? if not now, after more closures.
 

zebidee

Well-Known Forumite
I noticed today that specsavers have moved into the old river island unit so I imagine the shops around the outside are staying more permanently?
 

markpa12003

Well-Known Forumite
I think I know. I think I was there from 2001-2004 ish. There was a decent group during that time. I pop in every now and then and there are still some of the old faces there. Good times!

I'm still friends with some of the people that I worked with but they no longer work at the store.
 

Tumble weed

Well-Known Forumite
Even the Chinese lady doing eyebrows and such outside the market entrance has been kicked to a shop outside the hall. I'd imagine the centre to be fully empty within months now. They'll leave an external entry to the gym and market for now, and possibly Poundland whilst the actual centre gets mothballed, but you know, according to their blurb Stafford clearly was dying for another empty premises bang in the centre of town.
 

The Notorious A.N.T.

Well-Known Forumite
Wow. I didn't think the place could get any worse and the management anymore incompetent....

I hope all the shops lost from the Guildhall find alternative premises in Stafford and our incompetent Council are doing all they can to ensure we keep them. I won't hold my breath.
100%!. I think the Council need to start asking the new owners some pointed questions about their plans/strategy for the Guildhall. Personally I didn't use the shops that are going/gone much (1 or 2 pairs of shoes a year from Clarks & the odd book from The Works etc.) however, I am sure there are plenty of people who did. The current situation with the Guildhall could have a massive effect on the remaining retailers in the town. The less shops & choice there is then the greater the risk that people are going to be driven to shopping elsewhere. As I have said previously, nothing I have seen up to yet from Mercia Real Estate convinces me they have the expertise or financial backing to make a success of the Guildhall. I would be more then happy to be proven wrong however, my fear is that they are merely chancers who have stumbled across a good deal with someone who was desperate to sell.
 

proactive

Enjoying a drop of red.
To what end? It’s private property, they can let it rot if they want.
Quite. There's absolutely nothing the BC can do about buildings that don't belong to them. Although to be fair they're likely to be just as chuffing useless.
 

Wormella

Well-Known Forumite
I thought the point was they were looking at uses other then retail for the inside of it. You can't reconfigure the inside of something if there's pesky things like shops in the way.
 

The Notorious A.N.T.

Well-Known Forumite
To what end? It’s private property, they can let it rot if they want.

Absolutely. I wasn't saying the Council can do anything about it however, if they have not started having some dialogue with Mercia then they should be due to the effect their actions could potentially have on the rest of the town. All we can see at the moment is retailers having their leases ended. If this is all for the greater good & they have some fantastic plans for the centre then so be it but something to that end needs to start coming out. I work in Cannock & the Council there were very involved & supportive of the new outlet village & look what a success that is now.
 
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