Businesses look to take over Blacks unit in Stratford after retailer says it's closing
SEVERAL companies are said to be interested in taking over the Blacks unit on Stratford’s High Street after the outdoor wear retailer announced it was closing.
The store is set to close around mid-April although there is hope it could reopen in another town centre location. According to Stratforward Business Improvement District manager, Diane Mansell, Blacks is looking to stay in town.
Meanwhile, commercial chartered surveyors, Tim Cox Associates, said it has already received several offers from companies looking to move into the premises.
Other commercial units under offer in Stratford include the Laura Ashley store on Bridge Street – a planning application was submitted last year to reduce the size of the unit and convert the remaining space into nine apartments. The application is listed on Stratford District Council’s planning portal as pending a decision.
The Edinburgh Woollen Mill store, also on Bridge Street, is the subject of a planning application that would allow it to become a fish and chip restaurant.
On the interest shown in other commercial units in the town, director of Tim Cox Associates, Tim Cox, said: “We’ve had lots of interest from new people coming into the town, which is good for Stratford. The town is in a reasonably good place.”
