ASDA at last but don't forget the local shops.

[Pat-H]

Its less to do with spiralling rents than to do with the Governments directives to Local councils and politically sympathetic local councils desire to follow those directives.
Locally some of our Scout groups face similar issues.
Previously low rents are being replaced with commercially calculated rents. Representing massive increases of hundreds of percent.
Groups are looking at having to sign leases of many years at these massive levels. They can however apply for a discretionary discount based on how closely they meet the local councils objectives in terms of community delivery. These are awarded annually. What's the betting next year the criteria changes or they just aren't offered.
Potentially this will force groups to just close removing the opportunity for local young people to gain from the life skills Scouting offers.

Much like the NHS and many other services making them fit a commercial model is just a way to close them down. Short sighted or what.

[Andy B]

It never made sense to me that an empty property receiving no income seems to be a preferable to a cheaper rent and the property occupied but its not just a Ware problem as here in NZ high rents drive many stores to close. There was a restaurant that closed and the building was empty for months and I was told the owner required NZ$72,000 per year which is a lot of money to find before overheads and any profit.

[Pat-H]

Remember the old motorbike shop in Hertford Cowbridge.
That must have closed 15 years or more ago.
Been empty ever since.
It was a lovely old building and left empty that long I suspect its in a very poor state.
Which was probably the plan. Let it get so bad it can only be knocked down and a new development squeezed in.
And another character building is lost.

[Mel]

It's not a commercial property but there's a house in New Road been empty for donkeys years. I call it sleeping beauty's house, I don't understand why that's not occupied. Lovely house

[Pat-H]

It's not a commercial property but there's a house in New Road been empty for donkeys years. I call it sleeping beauty's house, I don't understand why that's not occupied. Lovely house

The one with the padlocked gate just across the road and to the right as you come out of King Edwards road?
That looks deserted but it is occupied. I see an older gentleman let himself in and out and there is often a light on upstairs.

[Mel]

Yes, that's the one. Thought it was empty which is such a shame it looks a lovely house but wonder what you'd get on the site if the house was knocked down!

[RCR1]

When ASDA was granted planning permission, much was made about the benefit to the town with people parking to shop in ASDA and having a linked walk to the High St. It is mentioned in the submitted planning documents.
Has anyone noticed the current signs dotted round the car park saying in bold letters across the top "FOR USE ONLY WHILE SHOPPING IN STORE"
My reading of that is don't walk off from the car park to support a High Street shop or indeed go anywhere else as it could cost you a £70 fine.
It has been reported to EHDC

[The Masked Woler]

EHDC won't do anything, same as when it was pointed out that Sainsbury were breaching their planning by delivering outside the allowed times. EHDC said there was nothing they could do about it - makes planning conditions a bit pointless.

ASDA's car park signs originally had less then the agreed time and this was pointed out to them - to be fair they changed it fairly quickly.

[The Masked Woler]

It never made sense to me that an empty property receiving no income seems to be a preferable to a cheaper rent and the property occupied but its not just a Ware problem as here in NZ high rents drive many stores to close. There was a restaurant that closed and the building was empty for months and I was told the owner required NZ$72,000 per year which is a lot of money to find before overheads and any profit.

If you can't let it then it makes it easier to get change of use.

[The Masked Woler]

Its less to do with spiralling rents than to do with the Governments directives to Local councils and politically sympathetic local councils desire to follow those directives.
Locally some of our Scout groups face similar issues.
Previously low rents are being replaced with commercially calculated rents. Representing massive increases of hundreds of percent.
Groups are looking at having to sign leases of many years at these massive levels. They can however apply for a discretionary discount based on how closely they meet the local councils objectives in terms of community delivery. These are awarded annually. What's the betting next year the criteria changes or they just aren't offered.
Potentially this will force groups to just close removing the opportunity for local young people to gain from the life skills Scouting offers.

Much like the NHS and many other services making them fit a commercial model is just a way to close them down. Short sighted or what.

I don't see what your political rant has to do with what I said - spiralling High St rents has nothing to do with the council. Several shops have left recently due to their landlords wanting huge rent increases, others have moved to cheaper positions.
And yes, it has to do with spiralling rents.