correct. my bet was either an estate agents or a scotch wool shop. the only other alternative was that Stratford council might claim a connection to shakespeare.

Front page article in the Observer recently said that Island Cafe is to become part of the O'Brians chain. Apparently they sell sandwiches.

Personally I don't think Yates' closing down has got anything to do with the smoking ban...even before the ban the place had no atmosphere and was only good for pre-chicago rock drinks. It's a shame though, it's a nice location and the best did look quite nice! Any ideas on what's going to happen with it?

Closed a few weeks back due to smoking ban - not re-opening - story in Stratford Observer.

If I had the money, I'd buy it and reopen it tomorrow. In fact I'd buy both places if I could.

Well I certainly would be up for a new spot to go out and have a few drinks and a dance :) But that is never going to happen. Instead, places close down! I wonder how long it will take for Yates' to be reopened...

Mac

It's been up for sale for quite some time now. I'm guessing that potnetial buyers may have been put off by Stratford Declining visitors, and all but non-existant nightlife. They may also have been put off by the prospect of 'Blackpool on Avon', anyone who's driven into Stratford recently from Clopton Bridge or the Alcester road will understand this.

It has been a while since anyone replied on this post, and I was just wondering if anyone had any updates on the Island Cafe? Just hoping it will be occupied soon by whatever really, I don't want to look at that empty grotty building any longer!

Mac

I think the Cafe has got a pretty good location and it would probably do well as some sort of food outlet. Strange that it's still empty though, it has a lot of potential, but being Stratford it will most likely cost you a fortune plus a kidney... so it will probably be an empty ugly building with a pretty new window for a very long time to come.

Yes i've thought about this myself...Nice to live in a society where the "rulers" can just come in and grab your property if what you want to do with it doesn't fit in with their plans..

That was his property. The property left to him by his mother and father..If he wanted to leave it empty as far as i'm concerned thats none of the "rulers" business..

Still in this environment laughingly called "a democracy" and a "free society" obviously if what you do with what you legally own doesn't fit in then don't bank on keeping it..

Since it has a food licence I will laugh my head off if it reopens as some world class fast food outlet or kebab shop!

Call me an old romantic but for me The Island Cafe has become symbolic, a representation of a stand against all that is soulless and immovable in this sad little town.
I think the Council/Trust should cut their losses and move to Plan B.

[b]Plan B:[/b]
[i]Make a fast buck.[/i]
[b]Note to chairman;[/b]
[i]Is it possible to claim a Shakespeare connection to this property? Re: hosting guided tours around its rapid disintergrating interior?[/i]

Since I arrived by covered wagon all those years ago I've seen nothing but missed opportunities perpetrated by the usual suspects or clones thereof.
It's obvious to me as I reach the twilight of my life and take the short journey towards my final breaths that I'm not going to see anything new, nothing vibrant, nothing exciting that might bring the rest of the world to our doorstep with all that they have to offer.
Looking at the future plans (through fading eyesight), I can just about make out the sign that hangs on the main road into town, it reads...
[b]Welcome to Clonesville. Population dropping.[/b].

I haddn't but I just did, thanks for telling me :) . Perhaps I'll take some pics of the exciting developments at the River Cafe next Friday

Heh very true. Ironically though, I do have some pictures of the flood on this site. Have a look in the gallery section, if you haven't already. :)

[quote="Will"]Glad to have you with us. Detroit, that's quite a relocation. I'm interested to know how you found us now. :) [/quote]

You’re the top link on the Wikipedia page about Stratford. I was actually looking to see if there were pics of the last big flood. However, you know how it is with Wikipedia, you look for something then you click on a link and there you are in a completely different place than you thought you would be. Sometimes it's good, like this one and sometimes you go looking for, say an article on the Peterloo Massacre or something and after a few clicks you reading about [i]Leprechaun: Back 2 tha Hood[/i]

Glad to have you with us. Detroit, that's quite a relocation. I'm interested to know how you found us now. :)

[quote="Will"]It has (gasp), got a new window on the front of it now,
[/quote]

Oooh, Fancy!

[quote="Will"]it still looks like a delapidated old building.[/quote]

Ah well, see you get my hopes up and then that :p .

I live in Michigan now. Just outside of Detroit. Thanks for the welcome.