Well I had a good look around here and on the web but I can't find an answer, now my curiosity has finally got the better of me I thought I'd give it a blast here!

Last year I noticed a lot of work going on to the building next door to the King's Head and it looked pretty good. I was pleased to think something new was opening up but then the boards went up and its remained empty since.

Anyone know what's the plan with this development? Was it simply renovated to be let? Is it the next Costa? Maybe it's old news and I missed the boat!

Cheers.

By Hoff_UK at 14:13 on 12/02/11

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Hi Hoff,

As far as I know the work is still going on, just on the inside more now than before. It is being renovated for "a major client" but nobody seems to know who it is. It might be Costa, especially as Weetherspoons seem to be going into the Emporium now. Whoever it is, it'll be a chain store as a small enterprise would want the publicity!

By TimothyL12 at 11:22 on 13/02/11
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Interesting! Guess I'll have to keep being nosey. Thanks for the info.

By Hoff_UK at 11:13 on 14/02/11
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I saw some official looking people there last week and I think it has got be Costa. I believe the landlord was ordered to renovate the building or the council would do it and give them the bill. Can't see Wetherspoons going into the Emporium as it is a bit remote! Also it will kill business in other pubs if we are not careful!

By THE LAUNDRY at 14:56 on 16/02/11
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I agree about Wetherspoons, but they would get the Kudos crowd there. It does go rather against their usual strategy of taking over and doing up old buildings though...

By TimothyL12 at 15:04 on 16/02/11
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Have just heard that Wetherspoons are looking to buy a property and the Mermaid is a likely target. Also Phones 4 U are going where Cathedral Brides used to be.

By THE LAUNDRY at 10:04 on 17/02/11
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That's really interesting, well done LAUNDRY! Oh blimey though - ANOTHER mobile phone shop?! How very dull :( Thank goodness there are still a good number of cutting-edge independent retails like yourselves to keep the High Street an exciting place to visit.

By WellieWonka at 15:29 on 17/02/11
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Just to let you know, Wetherspoons confirmed they have bought a property in Wells, just haven't confirmed which one. I agree with the other comments though, Emporium does not fit Wetherspoons business model at all...

By Kings Head at 22:49 on 17/02/11
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It doesn't, but I believe that's the place where the planning application to Mendip is for...

By TimothyL12 at 10:51 on 18/02/11
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Actually, just thinking about it, maybe it won't be a Wetherspoons, it'll be a Lloyds Bar One. It is the same company after all, the the Lloyds sites are not historic building-based... Or maybe there's a lot of history to the emporium we don't know about!

By TimothyL12 at 10:53 on 18/02/11
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Wetherspoons would be bad news for Wells....

By alisterbetts at 11:54 on 18/02/11
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I'm trying to be as objective as possible with the Wetherspoons news! I personally don't think Wells is the right town for Wetherspoons and I actually think they're making a mistake if they're genuinely opening up here? That's not sour grapes, (honest!), I just know what they need to make their business model work and Wells doesn't have it (IE. a LOT of wet trade day & night, 7 days a week).

But people should be under no illusion on this news, Wells' pubs, as with pubs all over the UK, are facing many, many challenges in current times and it will only take a small, additional challenge to push them over the edge...

By Kings Head at 14:29 on 18/02/11
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You don't think sticky tables, average food and poorly kept beer will work in Wells then?

By alisterbetts at 14:55 on 18/02/11
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I couldn't possibly comment on that one Alister!

By Kings Head at 14:31 on 20/02/11
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Why anyone would come to Wells and go to a Wethers when there's such a good choice of proper pubs in the local area I don't know! Although I guess the same could be said for Starbucks or Subway. What do I know?

By Hoff_UK at 18:44 on 20/02/11
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People love their brands, even if they potentially/often/usually get an inferior product...

By alisterbetts at 23:50 on 20/02/11
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It's psychological laziness! Even if people believe there's probably a better place to go, or a better product to be had, they'll visit what they know. That's basically how capitalism works and it's why the whole world of consumerism slowly filters down to mediocrity...

By Kings Head at 11:31 on 21/02/11
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Don't start me on mediocrity.....

By alisterbetts at 23:22 on 22/02/11
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That's a very mediocre post Alister :o)

By Kings Head at 13:40 on 23/02/11
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Well the boards on the windows are finally off and the place is full of contractors who appear to be fitting it out for something.

Wonder what it is! (please not another coffee shop!)

By Hoff_UK at 11:17 on 15/06/11
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Hoff, I could be wring but I've heard it on good authority that it's going to be...wait for it...a phone shop! Phones4U or something similar.

Yes, just what Wells High St needs. Are Wells' people extra-careless with their phones or something?

By Kings Head at 15:31 on 15/06/11
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