The future of the former Co-op stores

Cllr Sue Bell and I, along with the Chief Exec of the Town Council, met with the Co-op Estates Manager regarding the future of the two former Co-op stores on the High Street.

Number 46 High Street (the former Post Office) is owned by the Co-op. They have been trying to let it for over a year but due to the size of the unit they have had no success. It doesn’t easily sub-divide because it’s a long thin unit, but there is unused space above with the potential for conversion to flats. They are going to investigate this option. We suggested that they approach someone like Gym Group to see if it could be viable as a gym. If they cannot find someone to lease it then we expressed the view that they consider residential use rather than leave it empty.

We will also approach BT to see if an arrangement can be made to better utilise the land next to number 46 to provide parking and access to 46.

Number 11-13 High Street only has a very short period left on the lease and is NOT owned by the Co-op. At the end of the lease period they intend to return it to the freeholder. In the meantime, we have encouraged them to work with others (and we have put them in contact with potential partners) to allow the unit to be used as a community hub. We have also asked them to repair the fascia board above the shop, which is an eyesore.

Obviously, at the end of the lease, the freeholder could divide the large unit back into smaller shops which could be more easily let.

The Co-op are going to work on these options and then feedback to Sue and I. When they do, I will post it on here.