Scaffolding gone - Fat Face racing ahead
As we all will now probably know the wretched scaffolding tunnel which was blighting the High Street has now at last been taken down. I walked up there on Monday and couldn't believe how different it looked. Mind you it has been up about a year and a half.
Unbelievably, Fat Face is really taking shape now with a large team at work you can now see how the shop is going to look. It will be great when it opens and hopefully will attract other key shops into the Dorking.
posted by The Cockerel @ 10:25 PM
8 Comments:
Fatface is opening up very soon - Saturday 1 June. They are painting the front of the shop unit this morning, even though there is rain showers and it is very humid. I also hope that Fat Face will herald the start of a new era shopping in Dorking. We desperately need a buzz in the town centre, as Dorking is losing out to the likes of Reigate and Horsham. At the moment, Dorking is just known for cute antique shops, charity shops and a good mix of restaurants and pubs. Would love to see Dorking attract some more good quality unisex clothing and shoe retailers whilst retaining the independent shops. It is highly important that Dorking does not become another stereotypical Surrey clone town.
DORKING Dan
Sandra Grant the town centre manager has been quoted in the local rag that 10 shops are under offer in Dorking and 2 are let and are being refurbished at present. Still three or four shops are closing down in West Street and as for St Martins Walk, I have lost count on how many shop units are empty down in that poor excuse for a shopping centre.
Notice that Talbot House Antiques Centre are relocating from Ripley to West Street, Dorking in early July. They are taking over from Hampshires. Hampshires are closing down this weekend and occupied the large green building half way down West Street near the car park. Talbot House Antiques have had an excellent reputation for a diverse range of antiques, jewellery etc. and will be a real boost to West Street. They have been based in Ripley since 1999 and have attracted customers across the length and breadth of Surrey and South East England. Feel free to look at their website and see what they have to offer. Notice that the Dolls House shop is due to close this weekend and is still up for rent with Robinsons in Reigate. Also notice that the former Pizza Piazza building is still up for let but, apparently there is considerable interest in this property. The ex-Pizza Piazza building is coming on very nicely and the refurbishment is very much in keeping with this Grade II listing building. Jo
Wow -- I cannot wait till the grand opening of the new antique centre -- just joking! It will more of the same -- overpriced antiques, grossly inflated prices and a lot of junk thrown in for good measure. As for Fat Face -- wow, I cannot wait for another and very predictable teeny fashion shop to open. There are literally hundred's of these shops plastered across the UK. There is one in Reigate, Horsham, Guildford, Epsom, Woking, Haslemere etc. This shop certainly won't get my blood pumping and it will probably be gone in a couple of years time. Dorking is definitely caught in a 1950's/1960's time warp and Fat Face will not bring the shoppers back into Dorking in their droves. How about a Wilkinsons, a BHS, a Primark? How about a decent eaterie like Greggs, Burger King and we desperately need a Wetherspoons, as the pubs in Dorking continue to rip the punters off. I am sorry but I don't care if Dorking becomes another clone town because, all it caters to at the moment, is the very well off and the elderly.
To the anonymous poster above, thank goodness that you are not the town centre manager. So, you want Wilkinsons, Primark, Burger King and Wetherspoons. If you want all that rubbish, then Sutton and Croydon are the places for you! I also disagree with your assessment of Fat Face. It is not a fashion shop solely for teens. It is however, a very good unisex clothing that caters for teenagers all the way up to people in their early forties. The only problem I have with Fat Face, it that it will be too successful in Dorking and most people will be decked out in all their gear. Be prepared, for people wearing matching clothing, jeans and shoes!
Also, can somebody tell me why it takes so long for a shop unit which is under offer to be let. The Age of Elegance has been under offer for about nine months now and there are numerous examples dotted around the town. Surely, if the shop unit is empty, rent has been agreed by the landlord and tenant, surveys have been carried out, then the tenant should be moving in after three months at the most. What are the complications with commercial/retail property? The ex-Puccino's (now Starbucks) dragged on for almost three years. If you are buying a house, it takes about two to three months, if you are renting a house, it takes a month or two. Also why do lots of retail properties especially in Dorking which are under offer fall through at the very last minute? Surely, if everything has been agreed and solicitors are involved, it should be plain sailing. Any comments/responses to my queries, would be much appreciated. ~AP~
Was speaking to a painter who was painting the interior of the former Human Nature unit in South Street. He told me that a shop for kids would be opening up there in due course. Apparently, there have a similar store trading in Ewell Village. He was not too sure if they would be selling kids clothing, memorabilia, books etc.? At least it is a welcome change from another charity shop, coffee shop / eaterie and estate agent. Also noticed, that there were quite a few people looking inside the former Baby Boom unit in St. Martins Walk. It would be great if this unit was to be let, as the shopping centre is awash with empty & rundown units.
Found it to be incredibly strange that Fatface is opening on SUNDAY June 1. Why was not opened on the busiest day of the week ie. on a Saturday? I guess the new clothing establishment will still do a roaring trade and I wish it all the very best in Dorking. Hopefully, it will encourage other clothing retailers to look at the town of Dorking.
Was walking down South Street yesterday afternoon and noticed that The Cricketers has an agent board (Fleurets) above it stating that the lease is up for sale. That is a real shame as the present landlord lives in the area, runs a very good pub and it has best pint of London Pride for miles and miles!! Have noticed recently, that the food menu has been changing constantly and that the variety of food on offer is getting smaller and pricier by the day. Still think that The Cricketers has great staff, a good variety of people and is a real pub in these days of chav infested theme pubs. With The Bulls Head rumoured to be shutting its doors for good very soon and The Cricketers lease up for sale, it looks like the slowdown is now affecting the public houses as well as retail.
DORKING Dan
Has anyone been into the new Fat Face yet? It looks very nice from the outside and is definitely a welcome addition to the town centre. Although, it does look quite small and cluttered inside. It reminds me very much of the Monsoon unit. Hope that I am proved wrong. Jo
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