Bar ‘given no help to relocate’
A BAR which claims it has been “chucked out” of its shopping centre home has critised the building’s owners for offering “nothing in compensation or relocation”.
Buddies Bar, in Belvoir Road, is making way for a North West Leicestershire District Council customer service hub.
Last month, Belvoir Shopping Centre owner Gylo said it would attempt to relocate the bar.
But Buddies, which is closing this weekend said: “Despite Gylo claiming to be in talks with Buddies, we have been offered nothing in compensation. We have not been offered relocation. Our final night is still November 20.”
A spokesman for Gylo Trust said: “We’ve been working with Buddies Bar since the end of last year and shown our support to help grow this business through favourable financial measures.
“We are committed to helping it find a viable future and are in discussions about a potential relocation.”
Buddies said: “Premises to match what we had are hard to find in Coalville and even if we found something with all the various licences we would need it would be four months before we can trade again.
“Coalville has shown and voiced support and we are grateful to all of you. But the powers that be have not listened to public opinion.”
A petition to oppose the closurehas more than 1,200 signatures.
Andy Barton, strategic director at the council, said: “As part of our accommodation plans we’re looking to move our customer services team to the heart of Coalville, closer to our customers.
“We’ve been working with the Belvoir Shopping Centre to find the most suitable place to do this.
“We aren’t part of discussions between the shopping centre owners and its tenants, including Buddies Bar, but will offer support to businesses where we can.
“We don’t like to see businesses leave the area, so if the owners of the bar would like our help with licensing or finding alternative accommodation, our door is open.”
VENUE CLOSING THIS WEEKEND, BUT CENTRE OWNER MAINTAINS IT IS