Demolition on cards for former Co-op?
DEMOLITION of the old Co-op store in Hinckley is looking increasingly likely as retailers continue to shun the site.
The three-storey building on Castle Street has lain empty since January 2016 when the Heart of England Co-operative Society shut down operations as part of its exit from the non-food market.
Purchased by Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council for almost £1.5 million, largely to ensure the car park reopened as a lifeline to boost struggling Castle Street traders, the property remains in limbo.
Initially all kinds of proposals were aired about its future, including turning it into flats, creating a bowling alley or offering an indoor market.
These ideas were set aside with a focus on finding a retail tenant - preferably a known name - to boost footfall in Hinckley’s traditional shopping zone.
However, it is becoming ever more apparent the site is simply not attractive in its current state.
Leader of the council, Mike Hall (Con, Sketchley and Stretton) said: “We are looking at alternatives. It is costing us business rates and yet not in use so is demolishing the site the answer?
“There have been suggestions about partial housing, smaller retail units and different car parking options.
“We have owned it for around a year but the Co-op announced its closure two years ago so no one has been able to get a buyer for it in that time.
“It seems it is not the right type of building for what retailers want in that part of Hinckley.
“And retailers do want to come to Hinckley - we have Aldi arriving and Lidl relocating - but it’s not suitable for the likes of them.
“There is just no point holding onto a building which no one wants when we could use the site for other things. If someone does come forward in the meantime we will progress with it but it hasn’t happened so far. Sooner or later we are going to have to look at doing something different.”
In January the council’s executive committee agreed the primary aim would be to secure a retail partner, with ambitions to obtain at least a medium term commitment of up to 10 years.
As part of the plan a section of the store frontage, which once housed a mobility equipment supplier, would be set aside as a temporary home for Hinckley’s famous, and now fully restored, Hansom Cab, until a planned extension to the town museum became a permanent placement.
In obtaining a tenant or potential buyer the council’s aim was never to make a huge profit from the site, instead eyeing it as a focus for boosting town centre footfall and trade.
Various retailers, including food stores and homewares merchandisers have been said to be interested, yet none have signed on the dotted line.
A council consultation on car parking in the town has listed a long term aim of decking the Co-op car park to provide both long and short term stays.