Four months after the closure of Rye Shoes at 86 High Street, a new prospective tenant is preparing to take on the premises, reportedly to open a Cornish pasty restaurant. The transaction is not yet completed and is dependent upon planning permission being granted for change of business use class.
An application has been submitted to Rother District Council, but not yet registered for the public list, it is understood. Dyer and Hobbis of Hastings and Phillips and Stubbs of Rye are the joint commercial letting agents.
Edward Gailey of Phillips and Stubbs noted that the former Rye Shoes premises with Edinburgh Woollens next door together currently constitute a large gap in the retail offering of Rye High Street. It was good news that a new use might be found for number 86, but with Edinburgh Woollens in administration there was no sign of movement towards a new occupancy there.
The two adjacent premises are located on what the estate agents term the A route which has the highest footfall and commands the higher commercial rentals. The A route for Rye runs from Station Approach up Market Road, along the High Street and up Lion Street to St Mary’s church.
Dyer and Hobbis have been requested to effect an introduction to the new tenants so that they may be welcomed to the town.
