I have just noticed that the old Vauxhall Garage (next to the BP Garage on Harpenden's Luton Road) is now Under Offer. Does anyone know what it is going to be? Apparently sometime ago there were applications to make the area residential, but they had to wait for two years (it has been empty for longer than that now.)
It will be good to see it developed but does Central Harpenden need anymore residential properties? I hope that they are not family homes as there is already enough pressure on schools as it is.

By cgillies at 12:34 on 06/12/11

Re-post

I thought I read on here recently that it was to be McDonalds

By ikati5 at 22:42 on 06/12/11
Report
No not McDonalds with a big M visible for miles! I did hear Strada considered it before they chose the old Victoria Works location. Also heard that an Indian restaurant chain was considering it. Personally I think an independent garage – repairs and car sales – would suit the site best. I can see a selection of cars from Morris Minors to Rolls Royces via Vauxhall Corsas and Ford Mondeos on the forecourt, well in my mind's eye anyway!

By MrBirtles at 18:30 on 07/12/11
Report
Burger King?

By ikati5 at 18:58 on 07/12/11
Report
I had a look at the Council's online Planning Portal to see if there were any relevant applications, change of use, etc. All I noticed was one dated the 5/12/2011 with no details. It was for 17 Luton Road, Townsend Service Station. Does anyone know if this is the right location or does it just refer to the petrol station and not Ogglesbys old building?

By MrBirtles at 17:39 on 08/12/11
Report
I sometimes wonder if companies like McD and developers start rumours about a new shop/flats/etc. to guage public reaction before making any formal application. Judging from the popularity of of the Wild Bean Cafe a cafe/drive thru would be popular. Full english ay 9:00 pm quite tempting!

By MrBirtles at 09:30 on 09/12/11
Report
I don't know about that site, but I heard now Argos are moving out, Poundland are moving in temporariily

By local_mum at 15:34 on 16/12/11
Report
That'll please a lot of people in the current economic climate (especially after the squeeze Christmas puts on many pockets!) If it is true, at least it means we won't have an empty unit in the High Street for months!

By cgillies at 19:34 on 16/12/11
Report
Poundland in Harpenden, can you imagine??!!

By ikati5 at 00:01 on 17/12/11
Report
You may jest at Poundland, but it fits all the criteria for Lidl & Aldi. Just out of town centre, plenty of parking and easy access. Would shake up the supermarkets in Harpenden.

By harpenden2012 at 16:24 on 18/01/12
Report
Mr Paul Brayley of Brayleys Cars Limited is the applicant. Surrounding dwellings are being written to this week. Sounds like a new Honda Garage

By harpenden2012 at 16:42 on 18/01/12
Report
We need Aldi or Lidl more than we need a Honda garage!

By ikati5 at 16:53 on 18/01/12
Report
But rather a Honda garage than a drive through!

By cgillies at 17:48 on 18/01/12
Report
With the amount of shops closing in the high street we might not get a drive through but if a McDonalds franchisee lines enough empty pockets who knows..

By ikati5 at 18:01 on 18/01/12
Report
And at the end of the day no one wants to see empty retail units and people losing their jobs (and their businesses.) Lets hope that the January trend is not set to continue and that some new life is put into Harpenden High Street!

By cgillies at 21:27 on 18/01/12
Report
I think it has now got to the position where the Town Council has to get involved. With the recession footfall is down but this is made worse by high rents (greedy landlords) and rates (council paying down debt). It has to be in everybody's interest to having a thriving town centre.

Personally I would like to see the old garage occupied by a specialist car dealer - Italian exotica maybe!

By MrBirtles at 13:21 on 19/01/12
Report
I agree. Apparantly most of the shops are owned by two landlords who are pricing out many smaller businesses; even the larger ones (like Argos) are suffering as Landlords realise that they can make more money from residential properties.

The Town Council really need to think about what they can do to attract people and businesses to Harpenden...and keep them there! They are trying with changes to parking, but is that really enough?

By sharks50 at 14:44 on 19/01/12
Report