| Topic: | Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Hewson Books not reopening | |
| Posted by: | Guy Lambert | |
| Date/Time: | 22/03/25 13:29:00 |
| CE there are allegedly local retailers who are eager to take all 12 of new units in the council owned shops. I have been in contact with 5 of those retailers, 4 of which have been offered units and one refused. One of the 5 told me last week that he had given up, because he lost his previous shop last August and he can't survive any longer without an income and the tortuous processes the council is still going through. Another who was evicted from Albany Parade in January, got a draft lease last week delivered to her solicitors. She has a temporary space in a friends premises and continues with a skeleton service outside Brentford where most of her customers live. The one who was refused told me yeasterday he would now be considered again. I know nothing about the 8 other units because I am told it is confidential. I think that their identity is a secret is ridiculous. None of the ones I have spoken to who wish to move there have had any difficulty with confidentiality though I don't bandy their names around. The council units, if they ever progress, do have subsidised rents for I think 5 years. Ballymore is negotiating with potential (and recent) tenants and tells me their offers are very attractive. Maybe, but there are still a lot of empty units. Other people tell me that commercial developers don't give a monkey about commercial occupants, and other such developments tend to confirm that. Most of the developments in Brentford that have commercial units below residential development spend a lot of time empty. Where I live, 2 former restaurants obtained planning permission for change of use and have become residences. A bonanza for the property owner but very bad for the community. |