Work is under way to bring the old Joule’s wine shop on the High Street back into use again.
The shop was used for many years by Victoria Wine and then as a Sue Ryder charity shop but has been empty for years. Workmen are currently fixing the roof before moving inside to carry out renovations.
Workmen – with their tongues firmly in their cheeks I think – have been telling people that the shop is to be an Ann Summers! Much more likely, and another rumour going around, is that Starbucks will be hoping to emulate the success of Costa in Stone.
Article continues after this message
Whoever is taking it on, it will be great to see a prominent High Street shop back in use again.
Who would you like to see take on the shop?
9 comments
Robert Kenney28
Punch Taverns currently have a full repairs lease on the building.They have had it since it was originally Victoria wines. The lease ends in September. So the work that is being done at the moment is to bring it back to up to the same condition it was when they took it on.
Mr T Rout
Does this mean that this is just a “put up and keep up” job against a schedule of dilapidations from the freeholder, or is it being put back into shape because there is a new lease being prepared for a new occupant? Rob should know more about this than the average “Joe”…… Do tell!
Robert Kenney28
Its a case of having to put it back into shape by the end of the lease.Which should mean it will be a fit state for another business to move into.it would be nice to see it in use again.
Little Bit of Stone
Thanks for the info Rob – much appreciated. I had no idea that Punch Taverns were the leaseholder.
Jane Proudman
Hooray! Anything is better than an empty shop!
Kerry Dawson
Anything but another coffee or charity shop – we surely have enough of them already? I don’t know what else it could be but can’t wait to find out…
Mr T Rout
Its about time as too! Its been an eyesore for nigh on ten years. If it is being renovated for occupation by one of the major retailers, it shows that Stone still has a viable economic future despite the naysayers over the bypass fiasco. These traders do not open shops without having done a serious amount of market research. Along with the new men’s retailer (cant remember what its called – and anyway it is too “fashionable” for me) nowmeans that there is only one very small empty shop unit in the High Street – testament to Stones retail vitality and bucking the trend for other small towns.
Little Bit of Stone
Times are certainly hard for traders but it’s great to see these empty units being brought back into use. I think it most likely will be a national chain, just because of the money it must be costing to repair the roof, as well as the sheer size of the shop. We’ll have to wait and see!