What shops or restaurants would you like to see in Staines? So we know Hobbycraft is coming, and possibly an Asda to the Waitrose site, but what do you think Staines is missing? On another discussion someone suggested Carluccio's or Wagamama. I'd like to see some more interesting boutiques for gifts or more unusual clothes. What do you think we could really do with in Staines?

By StaineSiobhan at 21:08 on 10/10/11

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Ok! Been thinking about this and asking friends who live in Staines. So far have come up some ideas about what could make Staines a more interesting shopping/entertainment centre;

Restaurants: Gourmet Burger Kitchen (gbk), Wagamamas, a decent Thai, maybe a Mexican? Loch Fyne, Cafe Rouge

Shops: John Lewis, Wilkinsons, Hotel Chocolat, Zara, some more independant retailers, selling clothes, homeware, unusual items, art.

By stainesbloke at 19:27 on 16/10/11
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A Loch Fyne would be excellent. I do love my seafood. A Zara would also be excellent. How do you go about getting these shops and restaurants to open up locally?

By Sun_flower_10 at 19:35 on 17/10/11
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The Loch Fyne in Egham is so good :) Not sure how to get these places to come to Staines. I reckon people need to email them saying they would love a branch to open in Staines, if enough people emailed who knows?! Or email the local Chamber of Commerce or the people that run the shopping centres?

By stainesbloke at 20:50 on 17/10/11
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Thanks Stainesbloke. Really interesting to read.
I adore Thai food so would second that, and it would be good to have something like Wagamama to counter all the pizza and curry places, much as I love pizza and curry.
Loch Fyne is one of our favourite restaurants. We don't eat meat, so a high quality fish restaurant is perfect for my family. But I don't think they would move here without closing the Egham one and they have the perfect location there for passing trade, plus a good car park. I don't think they could achieve the same in Staines.
GBK, I don't know, not tending to eat many burgers, but I've seen the one in Chiswick and I think that is a great idea.
The one I would probably be most likely to throw my weight behind is Cafe Rouge. I could definitely see one here and I think it would be a great addition. For loads of reasons. Nice atmosphere, nice, reasonably priced menu, good family restaurant. I would like them to do something a little bit more interesting on their kids menu, but aside from that I think they're great and would do well here.
John Lewis. That would be great but I don't think we're big enough, unfortunately. Hotel Chocolat, bit specialist / pricey, esp when we already have Thorntons.
But I miss Woolworths SO much! So I would definitely support a Wilkinsons here, although I would love it if they did a slightly better toy range. I really miss Woolies for toys.
Hmmm. Great debate. I'm going to keep thinking. I often forget that we do have high end shops like Mamas & Papas and Habitat here existing happily alongside Mothercare and Tesco Home, so there must be a market for people who are prepared to pay a little bit more for their purchases. *wracks brains for perfect shop*

By StaineSiobhan at 13:53 on 19/10/11
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Lol, I miss Woolworths too! Was in the loft the other day, my artificial Christmas tree is up there and yes, its a Woolies special! It was one of those stores that you would go to for all those 'odds and ends' that nowhere else sold. Wilkinsons is quite similar, it has some really good stuff and some great bargains.

Cafe Rouge would be wonderful.....I reckon it would be very popular here. We could do with places like that along the High street, would liven it up a bit in the evenings with summer outdoor seating. Very continental :)

I suggested John Lewis as there were rumours about it coming to Staines a couple of years ago. My Mum (who has lived and worked in Staines for 40 years now) used to work for Rackhams department store (now Debenhams) many years ago. She remembers Bentalls wanting to come to Staines back then! They wanted to have a 'west London triangle' of stores, based in Kingston, Ealing and Staines. I wonder if that will ever happen?

Some great ideas coming peeps! Keep those ideas churning lol, will post more ideas as and when they come in.....!

By stainesbloke at 18:00 on 19/10/11
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And yes, there is definitely a market for higher end stores as well as the usual High Street staples in Staines. There was a council survey done quite recently and it showed the Staines catchment area is really quite big.....many people coming here from places like Sunningdale, Ascot and Virginia Water through to Hayes and Feltham.

By stainesbloke at 18:06 on 19/10/11
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