Does anyone atall know what’s going on with Grounds and Grapes?! It’s been over a year now since it was first reported it was going to open. Work has halted again. No activity for the last month or 2. So frustrating!
I emailed them about a month ago to ask but haven’t received a response 
I popped in to have a chat with the builder on Saturday.
This place is being fitted to a very high standard so I’m sure, whenever it opens, that all this waiting will have been worth it.
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I peered in yesterday, too - looking great!
Did you ask when they would be open?
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The builder said he didn’t know when they’d be opening - but maybe he was just being discreet.
He was doing a fine job though!
It looks very nice in there if you peep through the windows on your way down the high street
Any updates on this venue? The bursts of activity suggest owners are having cash flow problems? Or is it a planning permission thing?
Nothing to do with planning permission; and the owners aren’t skint by any measure!
They’re just doing their own place with their own money in their own good time.
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‘In their own good time’ is about right. I’m sure it’ll be worth the wait.
Considering this has looked the same for over a year now do we assume this isn’t going to open?
What’s the score with shops that are bought on the high street and remain empty - do the council intervene at any point? It’s such a waste of a premium spot on the road and just looks rubbish to leave like it is.
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Is there any more update or news on this? It’s so annoying how this just stagnated. It’s been 18 months or so now?!
I had a peep a few days ago and the tables and chairs are there now. Still looks unfinished - very frustrating.
It’s concerning that certain shops seem to be putting off opening (also 195 Stanstead Rd).
Here’s a theory - Could it be that business rates are so punitive that new shops are deliberately holding out for some kind of relief from the council? I assume that rates only come into effect when a shop is trading. And the council doesn’t want to see closed shops on a high street, so maybe the new shops have a bargaining position here?
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I hope this is true! Sounds good!
Very confusing though- surely they are hemorrhaging money in rent/utilities etc? Presumably they have some serious backing to be able to swallow these costs for so long??
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High end and high quality sound great, but I presume will be reflected by a higher cost. No offence to my neighbours (!) but after spending months and months getting to this preliminary stage, I hope they have correctly identified their local market…
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I was looking forward to this but after reading that psuedo press release my expectations have been dampened.
Personally I’m just looking for a good cup of coffee and a decent pastry I can grab on the weekends and my days off, not interested in spending £20 on a glass of wine and a sliver of cheese. I don;t seem to fall into their desired demographic.
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I’ll be very happy to have a place where I can get high end stuff without traipsing into central London.
I saw that too @anon5422159 but not too hopeful.
The way these guys operate, I wouldn’t be surprised if hiring took another 6 months, who knows how long it takes to find the perfect 3rd wave coffee barista…
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