interestingly it isn't on their site any longer? I was there yesterday but not today.

Anyone spoken to Acorn yet?

They have been contacted but will not divulge identity of in coming tenant due to confidentiality.

ok well at least we know it is genuinely under offer. Whatever it is it can't be worse than it being empty!

As long as it is not Domino's again!

I don't suppose it's a bank, is it? Could do with one of my branches a little nearer to me.

No, I didn't think so...

I bet it'll be a mini Selfridges. Their new store format, "Selfie's" would be perfect for HOP.

i'd rather have a dominos than a bank, that would be blooming useless?!

Based on the above market rent and the significant spend required to get the premises into shape, it is likely to be someone with deep pockets. This suggests a chain of some form. Personally, I would prefer coffee or booze over betting, pizza, or real estate!

The fact that they're keeping it confidential doesn't bode well if you ask me

I wouldn't worry about that, confidentiality is a standard clause.

Someone, somewhere must know something... the suspense is too much! Okay that's a small exaggeration but the word on the street is a betting shop and I want someone to tell me that the word on the street is wrong!

I would absolutely hate to be right on this one re. the landlord holding out for a betting shop/other chain venture. If it is, then it'll be the final nail in the coffin for me.

betting shop, oh no..............that would be change of use though, that could be challenged couldn't it.

It could be challenged but there would be no guarantee of success. Change of use from A3 to A2 is allowed without planning permission for up to two years. But the chains of betting shops would try to apply for proper A2 permission, and there is little protection for A3 (restaurants). Even a conservation area would make little difference.

The main reason for rejecting the application from Domino's was the parking issue for the motor bikes and the noise generated. There might be other concerns relating to a betting shop, but these chains are fairly used to pushing their business into local parades.

But at the moment the talk of a betting shop seems to be speculation. Let's hope Pizza Express have recognised this is the perfect location for them.

pizza express i can live with we need a decent tpizza restaurant. the area is full of families, makes perfect sense.

Trouble is, it would more likely be a Pizza Express delivery hub only,like the Domino's. If it was actually a PE restaurant, with sit down space, I'm sure that be a pretty happy compromise for most people here.

This post was last modified: 26-11-2013 06:32 PM by Tinkerbell.

Why would it be a delivery hub for Pizza Express - does PE (or indeed any of the allegedly up market pizza chains) do delivery hubs? It used to be a sit down restaurant so there is clearly ample space for it to be a sit down restaurant again.

It seems we're all setting lots of hares running before anything is known so it might be prudent to just wait and see?

agreed!

Agreed with your agreed.

Beautifully observed AMFM.

Thank you! I do believe I'm blushing...