Topic
Topic ID 7443
29/10/2013 by Steve
Oddbins Plans
Plans have been submitted for a café in the old Oddbins building.
[url="http://online.eastherts.gov.uk/swiftlg/apas/run/WPHAPPDETAIL.DisplayUrl?theApnID=3/13/1813/FP"]3/13/1813/FP[/url]
www.bebocafe.com
I'm mystified how anyone thinks they could make a going concern of this given the amount of money they're going to have to plough in to it and the level of competition, not only from neighbouring businesses but the town as a whole.
"the unit will retail goods to include; leaf and bagged teas, ground and whole bean coffees, pre-packages sweet and savoury products, freshly baked goods, shop made salads and sandwiches; and hot/cold drinks and cold food for consumption off the premises, as well as accommodate tables and chairs for some consumption on the premises"
Replies
Reply ID 96426
29/10/2013 by Golden
Steve don't knock it - if they can open the shop up again as its a wonderful building. Interestingly they're planning to open up the upper floors as retail areas and accommodate 80 covers which means to me they're more restaurant than cafe.
They could do with a little help on their website though as a lot of links don't work!
Reply ID 96432
29/10/2013 by newboy
I'm in the middle on this one. Disappointed it's not something like a Fatface or Joules as I believe both those shops would be great for Hertford and do really well. But also, will be good to have that really prominent corner unit operating as a going concern again. Just recently we have had a number of new deli/cafés opening, and it is going be be survival of the fittest. Having good places to eat is great, but the retail needs to be there too in order for people to go to the town centre in the first instance. So, probably, we have reached virtually saturation point on eateries and could do with some good retailers. We are probably around 6-8 good retail shops away from being a really good town centre. Fatface and Joules, please open in a Hertford!
Reply ID 96433
29/10/2013 by Steve
quote:
Originally posted by Golden
Steve don't knock it - if they can open the shop up again as its a wonderful building. Interestingly they're planning to open up the upper floors as retail areas and accommodate 80 covers which means to me they're more restaurant than cafe.
Unfortunately if it contributes to the closure of another café business, it just moves a retail vacancy from one location to another.
Look at what's nearby:
Greggs (next door)
Nero's (adjacent)
Langley's (a few yards)
The Dog & Whistle (a few yards)
And then there's new Italian deli/café about to open in the old Millets shop.
All within two minutes walk. I simply can't see the market supporting all those plus the other cafés around the town. I welcome the fact that someone's taking on the building but I don't think the number of cafés is sustainable.
Reply ID 96434
29/10/2013 by james
There's a Bebo in Welwyn GC near the bus station and I can confirm that it's bloody excellent.
Reply ID 96437
29/10/2013 by newboy
On the planning application , it doesn't say Bebo, it says Gourmet Food Co' - presume they are one and the same?
Reply ID 96441
30/10/2013 by Steve
quote:
Originally posted by newboy
On the planning application , it doesn't say Bebo, it says Gourmet Food Co' - presume they are one and the same?
Yes, the Bebo brand is owned by The Gourmet Sandwich & Coffee Company (WGC) Ltd. It's detailed in the Planning Statement.
Reply ID 96445
30/10/2013 by Bubbaoshea
Bebo's in Welwyn is superb, very pleased to see them coming to Hertford.
Reply ID 96446
30/10/2013 by Golden
Steve, although I get your point about the competition and sustainability of the business but each must have their own business plan and USP or they wouldn't be investing so much money. I think any business coming is good business and like Newboy I'd prefer it not to be a sandwich/coffee shop but I believe town centres are quite an 'organic' entity and grow/die despite interventions from the local authority whose role in my opinion is to facilitate growth wherever possible. The opening of this and other delis is making a statement about the town and, like it or not, its what Hertford is becoming - along with other external factors such as cookery programmes, horsemeat scandals etc. and I hope to benefit from some quality produce from some of these suppliers.
You have also omitted to mention the cafes along the street with Roses and the Turkish Cafe maybe affected - or maybe not as they seemed to have survived the onslaught of coffee shops quite well - possibly by being popular with a different client base.
Reply ID 96448
30/10/2013 by mdja
Given the time it takes something to go from idea to actually appearing, it's quite possible this recent slew of coffeeshop/delis all saw the same hole in the market. I hope they all manage to survive ...
Regardless, I'd always rather see a coffee shop than an empty, boarded up shop. And I'd far rather the boarded up shop is turned into a coffee shop than e.g. a payday lender or betting shop.
Reply ID 96449
30/10/2013 by Marilyn
It also looks as if they do outside catering which is something that the large chain coffee shops don't do as far as I know?
10 replies