The Co-operative Bank in the Pentagon Shopping Centre, Chatham has permanently shut its doors to customers.
Blaming the current "economic uncertainty" and the shift to online banking as reasons behind the decision, the bank closed earlier this week on Wednesday, 27 November. Although it is not known how many jobs have been lost, the bank says it would look to redeploy staff members where possible. The Co-op Bank's chief executive, Andrew Bester, said he was "very sorry" for the closure in a bid to reduce costs. "We're not immune to the impact of recent events, with the historically low base rate affecting the income of all banks and a period of prolonged economic uncertainty ahead, which means it's important we reduce costs and have the right-sized operating model in place for the future," he said. "We are responding to the continuing shift of more and more customers choosing to bank online, with lower levels of transactions in branches, a trend which has been increasing for some time, across the banking sector and more broadly." As part of the decision, the Co-op assessed the Chatham branch over a 12-month period between January and December last year to determine its long-term viability. It looked at factors such as the availability of alternative banking facilities and customer footfall. The bank claims that of the customers who used the Chatham branch in the last 12 months, nearly 62% visited the branch in just one or two months during that period. A popular leisure venue in Chatham has permanently shut its doors, joining a growing list of business closures in the town this year.
In an email seen by Future Chatham, the Park Club, based at Walderslade Road, states the impact of Covid-19 and the closure of gyms during the two national lockdowns has "made it impossible for us to continue." "It is with a heavy heart that we have to announce that Park Club Chatham will not re-open following this recent lockdown," the email to its members reads. "We have loved our 8 years at the Club, serving the health and fitness needs of the local community. You have been fantastic members and we are going to miss you all greatly." Previously a Fitness First gym and leisure centre, Park Club has a main gym, free-weights studio, ladies only gym, squash court, sauna/steam rooms and personal trainers. It is not known how many jobs have been lost. The closure of Park Club joins a growing list of businesses that have pulled out from Chatham only within the past year. This includes Debenhams in January, Buzz Bingo in July, GO Outdoors in August, the Age UK charity shop in September and award-winning Steven Huggett hair salon recently. The Co-op Bank in the Pentagon Shopping Centre is next to permanently shut on 27 November this year. Photo: The Park Club Chatham town centre has taken yet another hit as award-winning hair salon Steven Huggett permanently shut its doors to customers.
The hair salon in Church Street, Chatham, is understood to have closed in the past month after a significant time in business. Property agency Michael Parkes has now been instructed to sell the two-storey property for at least £150,000. The closure of Steven Huggett joins a growing list of businesses that have pulled out from Chatham in what has been a grim year for the town centre so far. This includes Debenhams in January, Buzz Bingo in July, GO Outdoors in August and the Age UK charity shop recently in September. The Co-op Bank in the Pentagon Shopping Centre is next to permanently shut on 27 November this year. Photo: Google Street View
New plans for the redevelopment of Queen Street car park in Chatham town centre have been submitted, after Historic England suggested the previous planning application earlier this year needed a "substantive re-design". Earmarked for the car park is 179 flats as a combination of one, two and three-bed units, which is lower than the 229 originally proposed in February. Spread across four separate blocks along The Brook, the tallest building will now reach 7 storeys rather than the initial 11 storeys, as this was against guidance set out in the Chatham Town Centre Masterplan suggesting buildings in the area should be "within 6 to 10 storeys". As part of the development, 159 car parking spaces will be provided, of which 40 are "intended" for continued public use, while 179 cycle parking spaces are also included. Leisure amenities including an on-site spa and pool have been scrapped in the latest plans, although future residents will have "exclusive" access to a gym and elevated communal gardens. "This full application... takes the aspirations of Medway [Council] to elevate Chatham to the status of City very seriously." BRL Architects, who designed the flats on behalf of developer Creval (Chatham) Ltd, hopes the new homes could generate at least 560 new residents close to the town centre, "boosting the potential customer base and potential income to local businesses".
"Bringing new homes close to the town centre can only boost both the day-time and night-time economies of the town centre," claims the Plymouth-based architecture studio, "as well as raising the overall profile of the area." To build the flats, Medway Council entered a joint venture agreement with developer Creval (Chatham) Ltd and is expected to receive a significant profit share from the sale of the flats. The developer has committed to providing 25% affordable housing, but this will be built as a separate block of flats. It will be located on land owned by MHS Homes on the opposite side of Queen Street, where a row of houses currently sits. A separate planning application for this is expected in the "very near future". To have your say on the latest plans for the Queen Street car park, please submit a comment on Medway Council's Planning Portal website. Photos: BRL Architects |
Archive
August 2023
|