Shop changes - end of November

[grahame]

Casles newsagents closed last week - re-opening next Monday under new management; Kim from the Cornerstone is taking over.   She's done an excellent job at the Cornerstone and I'm sure she'll do well.

Exotic Pet Centre closing. Rumour has it that it's becoming a Sex shop but I hasten to add that's just a rumour and I can come back and correct if need be.

"What the Dickens" - former book store - to become a tattoo parlour, with the one from the smaller premises across the road moving in there.

[grahame]

And another ... the "Littlebrook Bakery" which closed a while back is to become an Italian Restaurant ... according to "usually reliable sources" 

It's good to see that we're getting new businesses / business people into the town; whilst it's sad to see some old faces go, there are times it's much better for a business that's struggling in a market that's no longer as strong in modern times to be replaced by something that's more vibrant and will give the town good heart and future.

[grahame]

And Somerfield (now owned by the Co-op) is to become Waitrose ...

[grahame]

And Somerfield (now owned by the Co-op) is to become Waitrose ...

Opening / changing, Spring 2010.

I note that local press comment is mixed - "too much up market"  was one comment ... but then someone said to me last night "I didn't realise we had BMWs in Melksham until Sainsbury's opened", and at the more economy end you've got Lidl, Aldi and 2 remaining Co-ops.   Also comment that "we don't need another supermarket" ... which as this one is a replacement sadly reflects how Somerfield is already discounted / overlooked.

[I Likes Melksham]

I hope Kavanaghs Estate Agents don't mind if I rebroadcast some information from their website which lists commercial properties available. Melksham is certainly becoming more business-friendly with strong efforts made by the Town Council and Chamber of Commerce, and it's good to let prospective new-to-Melksham businesses know what can be considered:

Commercial Properties available in Melksham as of 17 November 2009

3 High Street		700	+	now	to let
12 High Street		1196		now	for sale
Unit 3, 6 Bath Road		260		now	to let
7 Bath Road		735		now	to let
43 Avon Place		354	+	now	to let
10 Bank Street		694		under offer	to let
21 Bank Street		483		now	to let
22 Bank Street		710		under offer	to let
17 Church Street		379		now	to let
69 Roundponds		3384		now	to let
122 Forest Road		5958		under offer	let/sale

[grahame]

Somerfield closes on 4th March ... opens after a major refit two weeks later as Waitrose - that's 18th March

[I Likes Melksham]

I'd been doing the Melksham business map and each time I visit town there's been a new shop going in someplace! It's hard to keep up! Excellent news for Melksham. Just wanted to say that I plan to do a good scouting sometime in the next month and have a revised Melksham business map up. I'll post the download link in this forum.