High Street Update
Although we have only just waved goodbye to January, this year is shaping up to be a big one for changes on the high street with more to come.
Trading conditions, rent increases and planned changes are seeing some familiar names disappear from Teddington, the end of last year Bombay spice closed and has remained empty since. Escape has now sadly left us after 17 years and a final closing down sale and, shop is now to let (see goodbye notice).
Next door La Bottega is also currently closed but only temporarily – this will re-open next week with a newly refurbished space and some new offerings so pop in when it re-opens to see what’s on the menu!
2014 saw The Fun Factory, Diner’s Delight and Teddington Hardware all change hands so are now under new management but having at least the same offering. Last year Teddington Ink also opened on Waldegrave Road.
The Tanning Centre has recently undergone a refurbishment and is now re-open with three new sunbeds and cubicles.
On Church Road LoveUMum cafe has now been replaced with Mougin – with some similar offerings on the menu as well as new daily special hearty lunches, the same quality coffee remains! Vidahair is now Style Lounge and is open later on some evenings.
New owners of the Red lion on Stanley Road will be hoping to continue the success of their other pub The Three Kings in Twickenham. After a major refurbishment the pub now offers a warm, cosy and stylish vibe, locally sourced fresh food, live music and a quiz night.
Thames Valley Bifolds (for doors and windows) has taken the empty shop space left by Jo Butler Flowers on Kingston Road. It is believed that Teddington Marks and Spencer will also be having adjustments soon, so that hot food will be served in it’s cafe.
No you didn’t imagine it, one charity shop has been replaced with another – on Broad Street, Shelter has moved on and a charity shop for animal welfare, Blue Cross is now in it’s place. Websters estate agents is a newcomer to Teddington, taking the place left empty by Gascoigne Pees. Meanwhile over the bridge Milestone is this year celebrating it’s 125th anniversary.
Sadly the much loved and well stocked (with knowledge and goods) specialist kitchen shop Kitchen Sync will be leaving us at the end of March – a closing down sale has started so head down for some bargains to bid farewell to a shop that will be truly missed and kept alive the art of proper window dressing.
You can read the notice in the window to see the reasons for closing any why it’s increasingly difficult to keep independent businesses profitable on our high streets lately. Change is inevitable and shopping habits are certainly shifting focus but if we want to keep our town a vibrant and interesting destination that will ultimately help all aspects of the area (including house prices), we need to consider where our money is spent more.
Totally Locally Teddington helps us realise what we have before we lose it – small changes in our shopping habits can help keep our high street strong and we all benefit from this. To help residents explore shops and businesses you might not frequent, the popular bargain-hunting fortnight FiverFest returns! This one runs from Sunday 15th February to 1st March 2015. Check out the offers that will be available or pick up a map from participating traders during the two weeks.
I note that the big Bed City unit on the junction of Broad and Causeway is also available. 4000 sq ft – that’s substantial. Could be split, perhaps, but Milestone are marketing it as a single unit.
Sad to hear of this decline in original little shops. We done want another cloned high street!
I will keep supporting the high street for as long as I can!