Empty by Choice? Questions Raised Over Waterloo St Premises as Prospective Tenants Speak Out

In a supposed sudden change of heart that comes after Weston Independent highlighted the appalling state of the premises, Nation Commercial Holdings, a company wholly owned by Mr Nightingale has suddenly announced an £8 million investment in the empty Waterloo St shops owned by the company.

This alleged investment also comes at a time when the site on which Nightingales Removals & Storage sits on along Aisecome Way in Weston-super-Mare has been listed for sale for £3m via the estate agent Carter Jonas.

Photo: Rightmove (Carter Jonas)

Weston Independent News has been contacted by a number of local people after our previous report who claimed that they had tried to rent a unit along the row of empty shops on Waterloo St, owned by local businessman Richard Nightingale through his company Nation Commercial Holdings Ltd.

Nick Hill said; “I tried to look at one of those properties for my business. It was very difficult to get hold of the agent and even then they couldn’t find the keys or even tell me how much it was to rent. Got the distinct impression they didn’t want to rent the units out”

Another person who contacted us anonymously said; “I had the similar experience, I have never been provided with a price or been able to arrange a visit to the place. Instead they asked multiple questions and I felt let down”

A third person we spoke with who also preferred to remain anonymous said; “I asked about renting one of them and was ignored. The last time I requested info on the rental of one he said it was already rented out, I think that was about 12 months ago. No one is in there and the unit I was interested in has since been trashed, so I’m not interested any longer”

This contradicts claims made by “Megan Jackson” on behalf of Nation Commercial Holdings Ltd that; “we want to support retailers because we want to support the local community, by avoiding empty units and creating employment” choosing to instead claim it was government policies hindering businesses taking up the units in question.

Weston Independent News has attempted to obtain an interview from Mr Nightingale on multiple occasions through his businesses regarding these premises but have yet to receive a response.

Councillor Mike Bell, Leader of North Somerset Council said;

“So apparently we’re meant to get excited about an “£8m redevelopment” of these privately owned empty shops in Weston.

Sorry, but many of us aren’t buying the spin.

These buildings did not become empty by magic. They have been allowed to sit neglected while local businesses, residents and the wider town centre have had to live with the consequences.

The company quoted is owned by the same person who has owned these row of units for many years.

Calling this “regeneration” only works if there is actual investment, sensible rents, responsive landlords and a genuine effort to get businesses through the doors. Not silence when people enquire, not empty units left to deteriorate, and not the council having to step in because antisocial behaviour has become a problem.

Yes, business rates going up under Labour will make life harder for town centres. But let’s be honest, landlords also have to take responsibility. You cannot sit on key town centre buildings, fail to maintain them properly, price out potential tenants, then reappear with a glossy “exciting plans” headline and expect applause.

Weston does need regeneration. Real regeneration.

That means occupied shops, fair rents, maintained buildings, accountable ownership and support for local businesses, not PR dressed up as progress.”

Only time will tell whether or not the investment comes to fruition however Weston Independent News beleives it is likely to be just more smoke and mirrors from a man with a long history of controversy in this town.