5 replies to this topic

[Fran]

It's sometimes observed, usually in unenthusiastic tones, that Amersham has a surfeit of mid-market Italian chains (Ask, Prezzo, Bertorelli and Pizza Express), in addition to the independents (Guido's, and recently, Restaurant 101).

It hadn't struck me before, but Chesham has the reverse problem, despite being larger: they don't have any national chains of "European family-friendly restaurants". Consequently, "Better Chesham" has started a petition to get a national chain such as "Pizza Express, Prezzo, ZaZa or whoever" in the town. I'm not quite sure how effective a petition would be, but it's an interesting idea.

Here's the story: Examiner article and Better Chesham blog.

Of course, if they are successful, it might dent business in Amersham.

[Eaton]

It will be interesting to see if the campaign is successful. I'd like to see a more local Cafe Rouge, the nearest at present being Gerrards X or Berkhamsted.

I find Chesham 'high street' quite depressing. It's sort of pedestrianised but there are always large lorries driving through it and because it's sort of pedestrianised I would imagine it's a bit of a ghost town at night, it's certainly not somewhere I'd feel overly happy walking through after dark although I have no problem walking through Amersham High Street when it's dark!

[Speedy]

From what i read in the latest 'your chesham' magazine, chesham town centre is in decline. There's too many businesses closing down and to be honest i cannot see any major shop chains starting up there. I must question how many coffee shops and fast food outlets chesham actually needs?

At night, apart from a handfull of people going from pub to pub, the high street is like a ghost town.

[hyposmurf]

The town could do with some more restaurants,rather than fast food type outlets.Its true Chesham at night can be a bi quiet in town.Part of the reason is to do with a number of the pubs closing and lack of venues open at night,such as restaurants.I don't really see it as being in decline,if anything the town is picking up.WHSmith,Costa coffee,Fresh Caribean and a new florists next to Sainsburys have opened up over the last few months.Meant to be a new Farmhouse pizza shop on White Hill,though havent seen this yet.A new Healthzone is being constructed and a building site that sat vacant for over a year,has now had retirement homes built on it this year.The old Wrights seeds merchants building that has set empty for years is going through planning to be redeveloped as a business and warehouse.

[Speedy]

Pretty much the type of shops i'd rarely use then Two pizza shops on white hill kinda says it all really, way too many fast food outlets. I live in chesham yet rarely go into the town. That newly refurbished chippy in bellingdon road (bubbles) is mega expensive. I bought exactly what i would normally buy from hings in waterside, yet bubbles was £4 more. Thank god wickes is coming to town, i wont need to travel to hemel all the time.

The wife said something comical yesterday as we drove past waitrose, she said "ooh waitrose trolleys get their own covers, how posh"

Rant over

[hyposmurf]

Pretty much the type of shops i'd rarely use then Two pizza shops on white hill kinda says it all really, way too many fast food outlets. I live in chesham yet rarely go into the town. That newly refurbished chippy in bellingdon road (bubbles) is mega expensive. I bought exactly what i would normally buy from hings in waterside, yet bubbles was £4 more. Thank god wickes is coming to town, i wont need to travel to hemel all the time.

The wife said something comical yesterday as we drove past waitrose, she said "ooh waitrose trolleys get their own covers, how posh"

Rant over

Youre right we do have too many fast food outlets.I rarely go into town other than for my weekly shop.Thats due to a lifestyle change and not using pubs that much any more,just feel theyre very overpriced.It is good though to see new shops coming to town.

Yes we noticed that about Waitrose trolleys.They're in another leauge compared to other supermarkets.