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Lloyds bank building - CE (27th May 2025 14:12:46)
Wondering if there are any local crafts people / businesses who may be interested in a permanent trading position in some kind of indoor market in the village?
I've been thinking the Lloyds bank building would lend itself really well to that kind of set-up, and it would give affordable commercial space to a number of small local businesses, while also potentially adding up to the huge total rent the freeholders are asking.
I have put it to the estate agents as an idea to discuss, but they said their clients are looking into the possibility of making it residential, so they wouldn't even suggest it to them.
The Neighbourhood Development Plan suggests it would look favourably on something like this, but I'd be interested to see if there would be any appetite among local businesses?
Re: Lloyds bank building - SB (27th May 2025 16:15:17)
It’ll be a bunch of flats. More money and less hassle in it. Shame but that’s the state of the high street I’m afraid. We’d be better off pedestrianising some of station road and encouraging cafes, bars and restaurants to move in with covered/enclosed seating areas in the middle much like Europe. (Amazon can’t affect these businesses). Of course that won’t happen either because councils are penniless and gutless and some residents would complain, meaning the status quo is the simplest and least combative approach to maintain. Pedestrianising the square would be lovely too but the relief roads just aren’t there.