“Nothing lasts for ever” or so the saying goes, the same can be said of Rye High Street and change is inevitable as businesses come and go and in recent years we have witnessed huge changes along our high streets. The banks closing has had a damaging effect on many high streets and has possibly been the death knell for businesses who depended on the footfall they brought to our towns and villages.
Locally we have seen significant change on our high street, most recently with the opening of the Cornish Bakery in the former Rye Shoes premises and the Snug (pictured above) who now occupy the building formally leased to Age UK.
Further changes are afoot as acclaimed photographer Clive Sawyer and his team put the final touches to his new gallery at the former Edinburgh Woollen Mill building (see main photo) and at the opposite end of the high street, the paint brushes are out as the transformation of The Ambrette Kitchen to Marco’s street food is finalised.
Elsewhere in the town there have been more changes, Glass etc. was remodelled last year and is now under new ownership, trading as Soap and Salvation, Mona’s has been and gone, the Pipemakers pub is now under new management and Fletchers tea rooms is destined to become a fine dining restaurant to name but a few.
Some are averse to change, but change brings fresh interest and more investment which, in turn attracts more visitors to Rye and without visitors spending their money more existing businesses might suffer as a result.
