Great eateries fuel town’s revival
Maidenhead town centre has been praised for being a growing ‘gastronomic’ hub as three new food outlets have been confirmed to open.
At the Maidenhead Town Forum on Wednesday, March 13, town manager Robyn Bunyan updated councillors on positive developments and events in the town centre.
Councillor Jack Douglas (Lib Dem, St Mary’s) asked: “Is it an exaggeration to say that Maidenhead town centre has turned the corner? Would you go further than that?”
Maidenhead town manager Robyn Bunyan responded: “All the data suggests that we are certainly moving in the right direction.
“Our footfall has recovered, our vacancy rate is low, lettings are really great.”
Recent data from the Lunar New Year celebrations in Maidenhead High Street on February 10 saw an increase in footfall by 62 per cent compared to the year before.
“We’ve obviously seen a change from classic retail High Street to more experiential dining. I would say that we are on the up,” she added.
“The units at One Maidenhead are available for mixed usage so retail and food-based, that certainly is the way that they are being let out at the moment.”
She confirmed that the national chocolate brand Cocoba was due to open in the Waterside Quarter.
Known for its hot chocolates and chocolate desserts at its flagship Cocoba cafe in Bluewater Shopping Centre, the company also specialises in chocolate gifts.
“We do attract food retailers,” said Robyn. “For a long time to get good food, people had to go out of Maidenhead and I want to sing the praises of the restaurants and bars which are coming into Maidenhead because the quality of what we are offering in this town centre is second to none.
“We have award winners, we have independents, we have unbelievable chefs working in our town centre on a daily basis.
“I think there’s something to be said about the kind of gastronomy world which we are living in, in Maidenhead.
“There’s a lot of exciting stuff happening and I think what our businesses are seeing is now’s the time to take a punt on Maidenhead and it’s working.”
She also confirmed that two unnamed national food outlets are opening in the One Maidenhead development.