Just let it be

In last weeks Rye News I wrote an article,  confirming that at long last, The Cornish Bakery have their planning permission and listed building consent to allow them to refurbish the building before they can open up.

Unsurprisingly, there were a number of vacant commercial premises around town, victims of the pandemic or just a change of direction, who knows?  But for whatever the reason for businesses moving on, the sight of vacant shops is not good for the town and visiting tourists. As the saying goes, you don’t get a second chance to make a first impression, and it’s true.

There was a lot of speculation about the future of the Edinburgh Wool Mill (EWM) shop at 87 High Street until the business went into administration last year and it has remained empty since then, but if you look at the bottom of the photograph you will see local agents Harris and Rigby’s sign now has a new message, “Let Agreed”. If you look further to the right you will also see Phillips and Stubbs’s sign in the old Rye Shoes shop with the same statement. Powerfull and positive messages for all our visitors to see.

The High Street is fighting back and winning the battle, vacant shops are attracting tenants despite all that’s going on around us so if you are thinking of expanding into Rye, do it soon whilst you still have a chance as prime High Street shops are in demand. But who intends to open up at 87 High Street? No doubt all will be revealed in due course.

Image Credits: Nick Forman .