‘THAT COULD MAKE AN AMAZING RESTAURANT’
Calls for M&S or Frankie and Benny’s as charity shop shuts
A CHARITY has shut down its second city centre shop.
The closure of the Farplace Animal Charity Shop, on Piccadilly, in Hanley, comes just days after its Town Road branch was also shut.
The stock is currently being cleared from inside the former Panasonic shop unit.
Now businesses want someone to snap up the unit as soon as possible.
Nicole Williamson, below, from The Slamwich Club, said: “It would be good if it was full. It is a large unit to fill. If it could be split, that would be good.
“Anything is better than an empty unit. This street is booming. Any business going in there will be welcomed.”
Business partner Steph Franklin added: “Some people were interested in splitting it into different levels with a bar or restaurant on the ground floor. Anything would be better than an empty space.”
Sonya Guest, aged 61, who works at Home Securities Limited, said: “An M&S Food Hall would be good.
“But there are also no chain restaurants in the city centre such as TGI Friday’s or Frankie and Benny’s.
“I would like to see some in the centre of Hanley. It would help bring people to the city centre.”
Antony Turner, aged 41, owner of The Corner, on Piccadilly, added: “I heard it was closing.
“It always seems strange when a charity shop takes over somewhere with high rates. That place is enormous and has a parking area at the back.
“That could make an amazing restaurant, but the rates would be too high.
“Most of the charity shops are closed down in Hanley.”
A Farplace spokesperson has confirmed that the Piccadilly store is now closed.
The Sentinel has approached both Stoke-on-trent City Council and Stoke-on-trent Business Improvement District for a comment regarding the two shop closures.