Stafford shops opening - Turning into a boom town?

[airbusA346]

The site next to the old job centre is going to be Enterprise car rentals, and a Formula One autocentre.
As far as i know the Stone Road site is going to be a builders merchants

The majority of the original building on the site is going to be a trade counter (when the application was submitted, they didn't have a tenant for the building) and the end of the building furthest from Greyfriars Way is going to be a car washing bay for Enterprise. Formula One Autocentre is going to be a new building next to the original building backing onto the roundabout and Enterprise is going to be a portacabin backing onto the roundabout in the corner closest to Shell.

Given that Halfords purchased National Tyre recently, I'm expecting at least one of the 3 places they have currently will close at some point...

If any of them get closed, I'd expect it to be the current Halfords Autocentre. But then again I'd be surprised if they close it, because it looks busy most of the time and it stops a competitor moving in there. I wonder if having 5 garages on the same road will/has effected any of the prices charged.

Going to the Halfords Autocentre you might also find you get an unexpected bill for parking too, because it's not uncommon to find cars for the garage parked on the Dunelm/Farmfoods/Dreams car park.

So what's the point of all this building when they have a building already. I don't understand why companies do this, it never helps them just leaves another empty property. Maybe it a tax dodge or something

When the nationwide Halfords company purchased the nationwide National Tyres company I doubt they looked at where each individual branch was located. And the majority of the businesses will want buildings that suit their needs, instead of trying to make a building suitable, like when Eurofit converted the old KFC.

 

[GNM67]

They were installing some 'postit' lockers outside Sainsbury's today

 

[c0tt0nt0p]

A florist (can't remember the name) is opening next to Open house on Wolverhampton road next to where Laura Ashley was....

 

[Wormella]

A florist (can't remember the name) is opening next to Open house on Wolverhampton road next to where Laura Ashley was....

I came here to post this, and also can't remember the name. It's a lovely shop, with a beautiful tiled floor in the porch that says Young's - does anyone know it's history?

 

[Cirrus]

A florist (can't remember the name) is opening next to Open house on Wolverhampton road next to where Laura Ashley was....

I noticed whilst passing, i think it's called Earth.

 

[Cue]

The new bubble tea place round the corner from Kingsmead is bloody expensive

Almost a fiver and the bubbles themselves are extra. I could go to Birmingham, pick a couple up and come back for less. Or just go to Geek Retreat…

 

[kyoto49]

Might be old news but spotted a brownie place on the corner opposite Wilko and the market. By where oatcakes and milkshakes was. I have no idea on the economics of a takeaway brownie place. Even if the sold out the 4 days they are open how is that enough to covers costs etc.

 

[littleme]

Might be old news but spotted a brownie place on the corner opposite Wilko and the market. By where oatcakes and milkshakes was. I have no idea on the economics of a takeaway brownie place. Even if the sold out the 4 days they are open how is that enough to covers costs etc.

Bear Hut Brownies, It's been there a while, before that I believe they traded at the monthly farmers/makers market

Bear Hut Brownies

Homemade Chocolate Brownies, sold from our shop in Stafford (2 Chapel Street, ST16 2BX) - open Wednesday-Friday 10-4, Saturday 10-5 Brownies, Brownie Treat Boxes, Bespoke Boxes, Geo Hearts, Brownie Pops, Brownie Towers and Traybakes.

www.bearhutbrownies.com

 

[gilesjuk]

Might be old news but spotted a brownie place on the corner opposite Wilko and the market. By where oatcakes and milkshakes was. I have no idea on the economics of a takeaway brownie place. Even if the sold out the 4 days they are open how is that enough to covers costs etc.

They used to do mail order only (they still offer mail order) and markets. But they also supply businesses and do birthday things (brownie towers). They seem to be doing fine and have taken on additional staff. They sell coffee as well.

 

[c0tt0nt0p]

Bear Hut Brownies, It's been there a while, before that I believe they traded at the monthly farmers/makers market

Bear Hut Brownies

Homemade Chocolate Brownies, sold from our shop in Stafford (2 Chapel Street, ST16 2BX) - open Wednesday-Friday 10-4, Saturday 10-5 Brownies, Brownie Treat Boxes, Bespoke Boxes, Geo Hearts, Brownie Pops, Brownie Towers and Traybakes.

www.bearhutbrownies.com

When I used to drive to the sheridan centre on a Saturday morning to park up id see a long queue by the door.... To often however I'd see signs on the door saying they were closed for a week here and there...

 

[Cue]

Yeah they used to supply to Brown’s Coffee Co too

If I recall they were pretty good, having a unit is quite a jump though as you say - they may have gotten a really good deal on it compared to going for something without a storefront and having to install all the kitchen stuff they needed

 

[bunique]

Might be old news but spotted a brownie place on the corner opposite Wilko and the market. By where oatcakes and milkshakes was. I have no idea on the economics of a takeaway brownie place. Even if the sold out the 4 days they are open how is that enough to covers costs etc.

Been open since April and sells out regularly. They are lovely, lovely local people and the best tasting brownies I’ve ever had, and very worthy of support if brownies are your thing!

 

[bunique]

To often however I'd see signs on the door saying they were closed for a week here and there...

Do you mean Bearhut? Because as far as I know they’ve only had one weekend closure since they opened! Not that we go there every week or anything

 

[c0tt0nt0p]

Do you mean Bearhut? Because as far as I know they’ve only had one weekend closure since they opened! Not that we go there every week or anything

Yes.... Once for covid, and at least once for something else....

 

[gilesjuk]

Yes.... Once for covid, and at least once for something else....

They did get the lurgy and they also closed during the heatwave.

As for the shop. Well when they were cooking at home the business took over the house so they had to do something. Perhaps a shop vs a factory unit isn't that much of a difference? I remember when they said they were moving into the shop that I felt it was a risky move, but they seem to be offering something you can't get elsewhere which is what high streets need to get back to being. Not the same old chain shops wherever you go.

 

[bunique]

I expect mail order and supplying other businesses also bridges gaps in shop takings. I have ordered them as gifts for several friends elsewhere in the country and they have placed their own repeat orders. They really are that good

 

[basil]

A florist (can't remember the name) is opening next to Open house on Wolverhampton road next to where Laura Ashley was....

I think that was Effalumps and Woozles in the early 70s a great selection of joss sticks and other hippy paraphernalia was sold......

 

[kyoto49]

Been open since April and sells out regularly. They are lovely, lovely local people and the best tasting brownies I’ve ever had, and very worthy of support if brownies are your thing!

Thats good to hear.

I don't like them I'm afraid, too claggy for me brownies!

 

[gilesjuk]

Thats good to hear.

I don't like them I'm afraid, too claggy for me brownies!

They sell other things, cookie slices look really nice.

 

[bunique]

Thats good to hear.

I don't like them I'm afraid, too claggy for me brownies!

I know exactly what you mean - I can recommend their marshmallow Mars brownies for non-clagginess, more gooeyness. Cookie slices and sandwiches are heavy going for me (kids love them) but the new cookie cups are lush.