Thursday 13 December 2007

Shops

Was out for a stroll around The Shire this week and noticed that a couple of retail properties are being readied for the good folk o' Plumsteadshire.

1) The old video shop and teen hang-out at The Slade. I think the last speculation was that this is going to become a bookmakers. Thank the Lord God this is not the case. I loathe these cheap gambling dens almost as much as I hate seeing men wearing enormous spectacles (see Timmy Mallett). Speaking of which, I do believe this shop will be opening as an opticians. I don't know what it will be called, but I always thought 'For Eyes' is a funny and clever name.

2) The most under-rated plasterboard storage unit. The shop on the corner of Admaston Road has been home to baths, sinks and sheets and sheets of Gyproc for as long as I can remember. What an under-used shop. This could easily be turned into my jazz café. Picture it. Coffees, home made cakes, newspapers, cribbage and Sonny Rollins Sundays. I digress.
Speculation has been that this shop will become (yet another), estate agent.....and there was I believing that there's a down-turn in the housing market.

3) Next door to the Gyproc store is/was Abalone. I never understood why a printing shop would be named Abalone. Was the owner called Mr Abalone? Well, I don't know if this is anything to do with Gyproc or if it's going to become another estate agent. How about if it kept its' name and turned into a fish restaurant? Nothing really fancy like Loch Fyne, but something slightly fancy like Olleys in Hernia Hill.

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hello Dr Pangloss
Good to see some news here again. Wondered if you knew anything about the "Shooting Incident" on Old Mill Road? Was it just kids with a BB gun, or an actual real live gun incident?

Anonymous said...

I noticed the Albert is now boarded up. Part of the CPO, or something more sinister?

Anonymous said...

Hi Dr Pangloss
I too heard the news about the Opticians opening in what was Bert's video store. Can't quite understand the business opportunity there but, as my neighbour pointed out, at least we'll have the full complement of health services, i.e. doctors, dentists, osetopath, specs etc. etc. Also, Dr Sen's surgery will move to a super new premises in Garland Road next year - if they can sort out their computers that is.

Anonymous said...

Oooh, just what I need, does anyone know anything about the Albert, I want it! I have had enough of rubbish places, and figured I may as well start something myself...Please, if anyone knows anything about that pub, let me know! Home made cakes (organic...)and jazz coming up!

Anonymous said...

Moodster Hi, The Albert's going to be demolished soon to make way for the all-new, all-singing and dancing (literally) Performing Arts extension to Plumstead Manor! Still, I guess GBC in their generosity may grant you a temporary lease if you're lucky. I do a mean Biscotti and mince pie if you're looking for suppliers.

Anonymous said...

Dammit! Temporary lease doesn't seem to be so tempting...You might be interesting for when I do manage to get an inspiring place. I hope the mince pies are made with butter... Whatever will /has happened to the biker crews then? Not that I think they would fall into my target group...

Anonymous said...

Hi Moodster - The old post office on Waverley Crescent is still empty. That would be a fine location for your cakes (organic) !!!!

Doctor Pangloss said...

Hey, steady on. I've been digging for information on the old post office for about 3 years and still no luck. That would be a super location for a cup of tea and a slice of cake.

Anonymous said...

The man who reburbed the house next to the old post office, and told me he was going to live there, also said he was resonsible or the shop (old post office) premises. Maybe knocking on the door and asking might be a good start? Also the friendly proprietor of the corner shop next door might know something? Wonder also what will become of the old cake/party shop there too? They had a kitchen already set up there, and could be opened up to provide cake shop, etc. I promise to patronise all the time, we can do with such a place, and would esp love organic baked items, coffee, jazz, etc. Please please someone open up a place like that soon. On the weekends esp people round here NEED a nice place to stop in for a leisurely coffee, croissants, deli sandwiches, and read weekend papers, etc.

Anonymous said...

I was hoping Bert's old shop would become a sugical support retailer or similar - something that the 'yout' woudl be too embarrassed to be seen outside!