Sutton Coldfield thread

[minus90]

Originally Posted by Salt Peanuts

This is now open. Had some very good and totally authentic tapas here this Saturday lunchtime.

Whats the refit like? Busy?

[Salt Peanuts]

Originally Posted by minus90

Whats the refit like? Busy?

Tiles, wood, cast iron, bullfight posters - You could be in Spain, almost. Spanish staff.

I was the only one in at about 13.00 - think they had only just opened.

[minus90]

Originally Posted by Salt Peanuts

Tiles, wood, cast iron, bullfight posters - You could be in Spain, almost. Spanish staff.

I was the only one in at about 13.00 - think they had only just opened.

Thanks, let see how long it stays open for.

[Salt Peanuts]

Originally Posted by minus90

Thanks, let see how long it stays open for.

It's part of a small chain, which may help.

http://www.authentictapasgroup.co.uk/locations.php

[SuttonBluenose]

A 36,000 sq ft retail and leisure scheme in Mere Green in Sutton Coldfield is aiming to transform the town.The large anchor unit at the development, known as Mulberry Walk, is under offer to a "high-class" food retailer cough cough cough M&S cough cough cough and three further units totalling 7,720 sq ft are also under offer.
Serious interest is also being shown from national restaurant operators and "high-class" retailers in a number of the remaining units Cough I'll get into trouble if I reveal those Cough Cough the letting agent said.A full planning application will shortly be submitted leading to a start on site.The development will comprise of 11 units in total on the corner of Lichfield Road and Mere Green Road, with on-site car parking to the rear."

Following the demise of the previous owners it is pleasing to see the positive response from occupiers to the scheme which has been reworked to be relevant to today's market place.," said John Rowley of Rowley Hughes Thompson, the sole letting agent for Mulberry Walk."Remaining units range from 1,047 sq ft to 13,728 sq ft, which has meant that the scheme has been of interest to a number of different occupiers."Michael Cunningham of Cordatus, advising on behalf of the current owners, added: "Our agents and architects have worked hard to produce a scheme that befits such a high-profile position in the heart of Mere Green."The mix of food, retail and leisure units will help to reinvigorate such an affluent commuter area where there is currently very little choice locally."

[SuttonBluenose]

Sounds like mere green is on the up after being a dump for the past few years.

[minus90]

Apres (II) Mere Green

The new Apres on the Ex Flints site is due to Open on Good Friday at Noon. It will be interesting to see what they have made of the run down Flints bar.

Maybe Mere Green is finally on the up!

[Sgt.Wilko]

I know what I have said in the past about the rumours that have abounded for the past couple of years around Mere Green but for what it is worth the latest rumours are:

M&S to be the food retailer
M&B looking at combining 3 units for one of their Miller & Carter Steakhouses
One national but unnamed clothing retailer has provisionally agreed a let
The old Lucas / TRW site to be a Travelodge.

My personal vote for likelihood / desirability for those is:

M&S : 9 & 10 – they were interested in the old Spring development.
M&B : 7 & 10 – not convinced about the suitability of the development but would be welcome addition to and complement M&B’s existing local offer.
Unnamed retailer: 10 & 10 – the council itself states that Mere Green lacks the presence of national clothes retailers and there is a large footfall in the area already and that should be an attraction to retailers as well as the relatively affluent customer base something that Cordatus alluded to in Suttonbluenose’s post above.
Travelodge: 3 & 7 – Come from left field this one and I am not sure the location is attractive to visitors but having said that I have stayed in some rather peculiar places myself! Certainly 50/60 guests a night would bring additional business to the local bars and restaurants and so that would be welcome.

Once again I apologise for stoking the rumour mill currently known as Mere Green!!

[minus90]

Very good Sgt, I think M&S will be there along with Next being the clothing reatiler.
The Travelodge is a new one on me.

Somebody told me last week that sainsburys were moving their store to TRW along with a Petrol Station --- think not.

Miller & Carter will be a nice addition, but again Harvester was another one.

I think M&S would do very well....

[nigeman]

[QUOTE=Sgt.Wilko;89739640]I know what I have said in the past about the rumours that have abounded for the past couple of years around Mere Green but for what it is worth the latest rumours are:

M&S to be the food retailer
M&B looking at combining 3 units for one of their Miller & Carter Steakhouses
One national but unnamed clothing retailer has provisionally agreed a let
The old Lucas / TRW site to be a Travelodge.

I think Mere Green has a lot of untapped potential, needs some quality development and these "rumours" are pleasing rumours. The travelodge would certainly add some vitality to the area. Sutton Coldfield generally is very poorly resourced with hotels for a well to do area.

[SuttonBluenose]

Scroll up to my post- I did say cough cough M&S cough is the new food retailer going in.

[SuttonBluenose]

I also have a strong feeling we could be seeing a Greggs there as well. Not a definate, just it would make sense.

[Salt Peanuts]

[QUOTE=nigeman;89751179]

Originally Posted by Sgt.Wilko

I know what I have said in the past about the rumours that have abounded for the past couple of years around Mere Green but for what it is worth the latest rumours are:

M&S to be the food retailer
M&B looking at combining 3 units for one of their Miller & Carter Steakhouses
One national but unnamed clothing retailer has provisionally agreed a let
The old Lucas / TRW site to be a Travelodge.

I think Mere Green has a lot of untapped potential, needs some quality development and these "rumours" are pleasing rumours. The travelodge would certainly add some vitality to the area. Sutton Coldfield generally is very poorly resourced with hotels for a well to do area.

The old Lucas site is of some size. Would Travelodge take it all?

[nigeman]

[QUOTE=Salt Peanuts;89761360]

Originally Posted by nigeman

The old Lucas site is of some size. Would Travelodge take it all?

Well maybe Travelodge could ceate a luxury brand with exotic gardens, a pool and non residents bar-b-cue area

[Sgt.Wilko]

Minus 90 I am in agreement with you I really can’t see Sainsbury simple moving over the road and if they did then we have a huge empty store that I can not imagine anyone else would want. The Sainsbury petrol station idea keeps popping up and I am sure they would build one – but what do you then do with the rest of the site? I really can’t see any business mileage in abandoning their current store unless they never took the freehold and there is a lease break coming down the line??

Salty Peanuts I have to agree with you that the TRW/Lucas site was always well hidden from the road and is maybe surprisingly large to many people. I did say that I personally gave the rumour 3/10 for ever being true so I am most certainly not holding my breath for any news from that quarter!! I have no clue if they could ever make an economic case for taking a site that size but I guess a Travelodge option could work if they built something quite large but low rise – something like their one in Walsall which has meetings rooms and parking for about 100 cars then if costs allow set it back from the road with landscaping to the front it might work. But really have no clue.

Due to its size and location I struggle to come up with anything suitable / desirable for this site. Indeed the council seem to suggest a blank canvas for residential – retail – leisure…..just about anything goes it seems!

My personal wish and it can be no more that that would be for some mixed development – maybe some shop /bars fronting the road with some office space above. I have always felt that it is a very handy business location and far more accessible for many people that Sutton itself. Then to the rear some residential development ( not the same scale as Spring wanted though) taking advantage of being away from the main road noise and you could have some reasonable views to the rear – certainly more attractive that the Four Oaks Station development – with apologies to any train spotters on the forum.

As ever I am sure we will find out in time.

[Sgt.Wilko]

By the way does anyone know why Nationwide is closing down shortly – is it their decision or is the landlord not extending their lease??

Oh Nigeman I forgot to comment on your idea of the Travelodge-Pool concept. I loved the idea but then I had visions before me of the Wyndley debacle - maybe they could try the worlds first Travelodge with attached BMX track instead.

[Writer14]

There's no way Sainsbury's would move the entire store over the road, as the other site isn't even as big as the exisiting building. To try and fit a sizable car park on as well would be impossible, and would end up with a much smaller store. The petrol station on the other hand is a possibilty still. Maybe with the Travelodge using the rest of the site up.

[nigeman]

Originally Posted by Writer14

There's no way Sainsbury's would move the entire store over the road, as the other site isn't even as big as the exisiting building. To try and fit a sizable car park on as well would be impossible, and would end up with a much smaller store. The petrol station on the other hand is a possibilty still. Maybe with the Travelodge using the rest of the site up.

What I would like to see with the possibility of Waitrose or M&S opening nearby, is Sainsbury's upping their game and refurbishing or extending the existing store, would be nice to see a cafe in there.
Travelodge plus petrol station seems like a good option for the TVR site. Sainsbury's must know they would make a fortune with the rip off price of petrol now, it keeps going up but we still all won't do without it.

[minus90]

I am now in 2 minds with Sainsburys, I like the way its small but it does need a refit. I used to like Tesco at New Oscott now its just too big and busy. Mind you Sainsburys seemed to do a half decent job at Castle Vale refit.

I'm sure if the development does go ahead and M&S move in Waitrose have to do something, their store looks like something from the 80's, M&S will take the business. The Waitrose in Lichfield is great.

On another note went to The Mare Pool Wetherspoons on Saturday, just a typical Wetherspoons, food average but not bad. Seems reasonably busy.
When Apres opens on Good Friday I think Mere Green will seem busier.

This thread is turning into pure Mere Green !!

[minus90]

With regards to the Travel Lodge I'm not sure.
Theres a Travel Lodge up the road at Wall and there is one at Boldmere and I think theres one at the Parson & Clarke pub ....?

Also theres a Premier Inn at Whitehouse common, that looks a dive but never been in.

Wonder how well these places do, I can see the Wall one doing OK but boldmere, whitehouse common...?