Shops swap homes in shake-up of city retail

Excitement over arrival of bank creating 20 jobs

A new bank and two restaurant chains will open in Canterbury as part of a retail shake-up which will see other big names moving in a city centre reshuffle.

Metro Bank – famed for opening seven days a week – will set up home at C&H in St George’s Street, with the fabric and furnishing shop relocating to Waterstones in St Margaret’s Street.

Taking the first floor of C&H will be Bill’s Restaurant, with the entrance at ground level around the corner in the former Mappin and Webb jewellers.

Opposite, Waterstones is consolidating its bookselling business under one roof at its Rose Lane branch.

Another national restaurant chain is believed to be opening on the site of Ed’s Diner in Whitefriars, which shut last month.

Boparan Holdings, which owns the Ed’s Diner franchise, is understood to be lining up another one of its restaurant chains for the prime spot.

With Giraffe World Kitchen officially ruled out, speculation is building that it could be a Harry Ramsden’s fish bar.

Elsewhere in the shopping precinct, the former Build-aBear shop is still being marketed, but an offer has been made for the empty La Senza shop by an unknown retailer.

Bob Jones, the boss of the Canterbury Business Improvement District, welcomed the commercial interest in the city, particularly from Metro Bank.

It has won plaudits for its new concept of High Street banking, opening from 8am to 8pm seven days a week.

“It’s an exciting new banking concept, and the fact that none of the other businesses are leaving Canterbury shows real optimism,” he said.

About 20 jobs will be created when the bank opens later this year.

“Canterbury is a vibrant and diverse community that we’re excited to be part of,” said its regional director Kevin Walker.

While employment opportunities are created at the bank, no jobs will be lost during the Waterstones move, which will take place on February 19.

Manager Martin Latham said: “Waterstones has shown its commitment to Canterbury and book-lovers by investing heavily in the Rose Lane store, including opening the top floor and having new features like a screen for films and visits by high-profile authors.

“Everyone is looking forward to creating a real cultural destination at Rose Lane, which is really a fantastic opportunity because we actually have more space for more books, as well as an events space and cafe.”

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