Former shops/businesses in your area

[Kyng]

Sadly, it looks like Frankie & Benny's could be joining this list . About half of their restaurants won't be re-opening after the lockdown:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-52899624

I haven't been there that much in recent years. However, I did visit quite frequently with my friends about 8-10 years ago, so it has some nice memories for me...

[J-Ster]

Sadly, it looks like Frankie & Benny's could be joining this list . About half of their restaurants won't be re-opening after the lockdown:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-52899624

I haven't been there that much in recent years. However, I did visit quite frequently with my friends about 8-10 years ago, so it has some nice memories for me...

My family used to got there sometimes about four years ago.

[Kyng]

Sadly, it looks like Frankie & Benny's could be joining this list . About half of their restaurants won't be re-opening after the lockdown:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-52899624

I haven't been there that much in recent years. However, I did visit quite frequently with my friends about 8-10 years ago, so it has some nice memories for me...

My family used to got there sometimes about four years ago.

You know, I wonder whether this might be their problem. Perhaps it's a restaurant that many people used to go to, and have fond memories of, but then they moved on?

With that said, I did have a nice time when I went about a year and a half ago. I tried one of their vegan 'chicken' pizzas, just out of curiosity, and found that it was actually quite nice.

[Kyng]

Another one, that I can't believe I haven't mentioned yet - Hattons Model Railways in Liverpool:



It had a vast range of all the latest model locomotives, carriages, wagons, buildings, road vehicles, and other accessories - often at very good prices. They even had a few of their own exclusive models - including a very smart LMS 10000 model in black and silver. If you want to see inside the shop, there are a few shots of it in the first couple of minutes of this video.

I used to go there a lot - until it sadly closed down in 2017. The business is still operating - but they're now based in a generic industrial unit just outside Liverpool, and it just isn't the same . Furthermore, it's now on the opposite side of a toll bridge, which makes it even less worth visiting (so, when I get stuff from there, it's usually by mail order these days).

[Megan]

I used to go there a lot - until it sadly closed down in 2017.

I'm sure you did. XD I was gonna say I bet you went there a lot. Reminds me of the comic book store I used to like to go to in high school that closed down. Used to get all my Sailor Moon and Dragon Ball stuff there!

[Kyng]

Well, I guess I can add Chiquito to this now :

https://www.theguardian.com/business/202...s-lockdown

A real shame IMO: they were probably the country's main Tex-Mex restaurant chain, and I enjoyed going there. Part of this was because they kept having "50% off" deals - but then, the frequency of those sales suggests that they perhaps weren't doing well, and now it seems that the COVID-19 enforced closures have finished them off.

Oh, well. If nobody comes along to replace them, then it's going to hurt - but if there is... it'll still be sad, but hardly the end of the world.

Okay, it seems I may have jumped the gun a bit on this one. My local restaurant is on the list to be re-opened on 31st August :

https://www.chiquito.co.uk/covid-19-faq

It looks like they're offering a simplified menu, at least for the time being. However, it's a lot better than nothing!

[J-Ster]

Well, I found out that a restaurant in my area has now closed a few weeks ago.  A pity, as me and my family had been there for quite a few birthdays and other events between 2016-2019. I always liked the food and variety of options there were at that restaurant.

[Kyng]

Well, I found out that a restaurant in my area has now closed a few weeks ago.  A pity, as me and my family had been there for quite a few birthdays and other events between 2016-2019. I always liked the food and variety of options there were at that restaurant.

Wow, it's always a shame when that happens . Hopefully, there will be something else nearby that's similar.

What kind of restaurant was it?

[J-Ster]

Well, I found out that a restaurant in my area has now closed a few weeks ago.  A pity, as me and my family had been there for quite a few birthdays and other events between 2016-2019. I always liked the food and variety of options there were at that restaurant.

Wow, it's always a shame when that happens . Hopefully, there will be something else nearby that's similar.

What kind of restaurant was it?

It was restaurant where you could cook your own food at a table on a plaque. They also served some amazing chips and bread there. The desserts there were so tasty and presented great as well. I loved the ice cream, chocolate cake, and cheesecake desserts there. It was quite expensive, but well worth the money. The restaurant is next to a hotel which is owned by the same people. they decided their main priority is to focus on the hotel itself.

[Kyng]

Another one I should mention is Shrewsbury Model Centre.

This used to be a very large model centre with a vast range: I would travel to Shrewsbury specifically to go there. Sadly, some time around 2006, it moved to an industrial estate out of town, and it just wasn't the same. Then, some time around 2015, it closed down altogether .