Pub chain eyes Woolies site for second outlet in Truro
NATIONAL pub chain JD Wetherspoons could open a second bar in the old Woolworth's store in Truro.
The firm has been eyeing up the building in Boscawen Street as the current occupier Poundland heads towards the end of its temporary lease.
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Wetherspoons already has a pub on Lemon Quay – the Try Dower – which opened in 2006.
A spokesman for Wetherspoons confirmed the company had taken a look around the premises opposite its existing bar.
"We're in the very early stages," he said. "But we are aware that it is for sale and we have taken a look at it.
"Nothing has progressed in any way but we are keen to open another pub in Truro. We have shown initial interest."
But he shot down rumours the pub has also been looking at moving into the former Shout! nightclub on Calenick Street, which closed its doors in March 2008 in the face of spiralling debts. The Wetherspoons spokesman said: "That (the former Woolworths store) is the only site we have looked at at the moment."
But the interest in the site has not gone down well with people locally.
Truro mayor Ros Cox said: "I think there are enough bars in Truro already and I can't see why Wetherspoons would want another bar on the opposite side of the quay.
"I'm not against bars but it just seems too much. I would rather see a shop go in there."
In February 2008 Carrick District Council agreed that the level of licensed premises was 'saturating' the town.
They implemented a cumulative impact zone policy after police chiefs warned late night drinking was getting out of hand. The special policy means new license applications in the town centre should be refused if they will have a negative effect on the area.
Truro Business Improvement District manager Neil Scott said: "We have seen in the last 18 months a growth in the numbers of good quality evening bars in the city centre and I hear they're enjoying trading in Truro. At the other end of the spectrum, nationally I understand family pubs are finding trading really tough at the moment.
"I understand that Truro is attracting people from St Ives to Newquay because they like the choice that Truro offers.
"So it's no surprise that there's interest in being part of that evening economy."
Poundland has occupied the former Woolworths store since June under a temporary lease which is due to end in January.
But they are understood to have expressed a long-term interest in one of the three units which the former Woolworths store may be split into.
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by grace, truro
Friday, September 25 2009, 2:51PM
“yes it would be lovely to have Truro full of klittle boutiques and bakeries however for those who actually live there we need to be able to get hold of the usual things to live. So many people i know go up to Plymouth because Truo does not offer enough or the shops are so big they are plonked on an industrial park far out. People wan to be able to wander round Truro with a mixture of old to keep character and new for convinience. Soon everyone will miss out. I think the council would be doing an injustice if they just let the highest bidder get it, look at other factors, maybe a pro and con list!??”
by Wyllieboy, Pendeen
Friday, September 25 2009, 11:44AM
“Vive la difference indeed. Thr difference is that in France the town hall has the power to limit rents for small commercial premises, which is why they have nice little chocolate shops and propper craft butchers and bakers, small businesses where local people can make a living from their own labour rather than be a wagew slave to a multi-national corporation that exports money form Cornwall to London and other centers of capitalist greed. Would it kill our planners and politicians to insist that it opens as a permanent farmers market for local producers?”
by Rich, St Austell
Friday, September 25 2009, 10:40AM
“I really can't believe that people who would make the effort to leave a comment on this page would use their moment of glory to call for another hideous chain store such as Primark or TJ Hughes! Truro is bad enough with the likes of Tesco dominating the skyline. Do you really REALLY want to live in another clone town? How about the chamber of commerce providing incentives for locally owned and locally run small business' to set up shop here? Vive la Différence!”
by Lucy, Par
Friday, September 25 2009, 6:31AM
“I would like to see a Toys R Us,I usually go to Plymouth every Christmas to do the shopping,be nicer to have it closer to home.Also a KFC,Matalan,TJ Hughes would be good.We have enough pubs.”
by jl, truro
Thursday, September 24 2009, 8:29PM
“Truro will become another Newquay.”
by boozy bert, penwhistle
Thursday, September 24 2009, 3:50PM
“government wants everyone to die of liver failure asap drunks will also discourage other normal shoppers............”
by Sarah, Nr Truro
Thursday, September 24 2009, 1:46PM
“What a wonderful idea!! ANOTHER CHEAP PUB.
Come on... someone use your brain!!!!!”
by Brian, Truro
Thursday, September 24 2009, 9:17AM
“Buddy is right! Who has the most money will get it..
But I would love to see Toys R Us come to Truro or Primark, every year near Christmas my partner and I save up some money and do our shopping in Exeter because the shops there are better and bigger.”
by Buddy, Truro? ;)
Thursday, September 24 2009, 9:09AM
“A Wetherspoon's opposite a Wetherspoon's. Wow. Do you know that if you stood between the two, that your watch would stop? This is because it would officially be the finishing line for the universe and time will bend upwards only at that point. What do you expect will happen? Someone to stagger sozzled out of a Wetherspoon's and then look across the street and turn to his mate and say, "you know what, let's go to Wetherspoon's and get drunk". And then 4 hours later they'll step out of Wetherspoon's again, look across the street and say "you know what, let's go to Wetherspoon's and get drunk". Ad nauseum.
In reality though, the person who bids the most will win. There's nothing we can do if Wetherspoon's bid the most. It's also worth noting that the property has been split into three 'units' and they are all separately for sale. How about the Council buy it and make a nice, safe place for kids to hang out, like a youth club? They all want to hang out in the city centre anyway, so give them a place to go.”
by Steve, PZ
Thursday, September 24 2009, 8:48AM
“With food so cheap nowone knows quite were it came from, watery tasting drinks, draft wine, sticky floors and what seems to be a 1 barman for every 100 customers staff level.
Another wetherspoons is perfect for cash strapped Britian.”