New pub will meet economic demands

By lvickers

A new year could bring a flicker of hope for Mere Green as one new outlet opens, one re-brands and another announces its best ever Christmas period.

Costa Coffee is to open in the premises previously occupied by Hindley's bakery. The company is currently recruiting staff ahead of the branch opening in February.

Around the corner, Greene King, the company behind Loch Fyne Restaurants, has taken the decision to re-brand its Mere Green Road site, piloting a new pub concept.

Called The Old Speckled Hen, the pub will serve home cooked British food and real ales.

A spokesperson for the company said an informal pub concept was currently more suitable for the area than a fine dining venue.

Mark Derry, MD of Loch Fyne Restaurants added: "The property we have in Mere Green is ideal for conversion into our first Old Speckled Hen.

"We know that there is demand locally for good, honest pub food and we hope that we can create an ambience and a menu that will delight and surprise."

But at Pier 39 in Holden Way, fine dining is proving a recipe for success. Bosses are enjoying a record-breaking Christmas period – but their optimism has been tempered by ongoing concerns regarding delays to Mere Green's overhaul.

"It is a little bit worrying that we still don't know when the development is going to happen," said Pier 39 owner Carl Jones.

"If two years you had shown people pictures of Mere Green as it is today, they would not have believed it. The biggest thing we have noticed is that passing trade has dropped off completely. When we look out during the day, there is no one around.

"It has been particularly noticeable since Woolworths closed down."

But after five successful years in Mere Green, Mr Jones is hopeful Pier 39 will weather the storm.

"We have just experienced our best December ever. We are still getting business in; we are just having to work twice as hard."

Meanwhile three vacant shops in Mere Green's retail centre are still being marketed on short term leases while Spring Urban Regeneration finalises its plans for redevelopment.

A spokesperson for Castlemore Securities (of which Spring is the regeneration arm) said: "We are actively looking to market the existing vacant shops."