A stationery chain is closing its only store in Medway next month. Ryman in Chatham High Street will shut its doors for the final time on Saturday, 14 May. It took the decision due to the forthcoming lease expiry on its unit. Bosses plan to move staff to others roles within the company where possible, although it is understood that seven jobs are affected.
A Ryman spokesperson said: "Unfortunately, following discussions with the landlord, we will be closing the store on May 14th and leaving this unit on May 31st. "We are very hopeful that we will be able to relocate members of the team to other areas within Ryman." Estate agent Harrison Property Services is currently marketing the property with the freehold on sale for £500,000 or to let for £35,000 a year. The leasehold of the shop is already 'under offer' from an interested third party, according to the estate agent. A marketing brochure by the estate agent says it is a "well proportioned" retail unit measuring 1,944 sq ft in total, including storage and staff facilities to the rear. The closest alternative Ryman is in Earl Street, Maidstone. Since launching in 1893, Ryman now has nearly 200 stores and sells notepads, laptops, pens, pencils and writing, printing and art supplies plus office furniture and electronics. A 'state-of-the-art' gym is set to open at Hempstead Valley Shopping Centre next week. Fitness chain JD Gyms has confirmed that its first branch in Kent will be opening on Monday, 25 April at 12pm. Members of the public will be able to show up without appointments for preview days from 8am to 8pm on Friday, 22 April and 10am to 6pm on both days of the weekend. The gym features hundreds of pieces of fitness equipment, a large free weights zone, a sprint track and a spin studio, as well as luxury changing rooms with saunas. It also has racks and lifting platforms with 'top of the range' Olympic lifting equipment from globally renown brand Eleiko. More than 300 classes a month will be hosted at the gym, all of which are included in the price of membership. A JD Burn area has been introduced for high intensity, bootcamp style fitness classes exclusive to JD Gyms, with personal trainers also available. The low-cost gym operator, part of JD Sports, now runs more than 60 branches across the country since launching in 2014.
It took on 20,000 sq ft of space at Hempstead Valley in total, including a 6,500 sq ft mezzanine, on a new 15-year lease at a rent of £130,000 a year. The gym will be open 6am to 10pm weekdays and 8am to 8pm weekends. The entrance to the gym is outside of the shopping centre next to the underground car park near Sainsbury's. Find out more about JD Gyms Hempstead Valley by visiting the website or by following the branch on Facebook and Instagram. |
Archive
August 2023
|