New Shops/Businesses in Bray

Glovers Cafe last day today, seems there is a new owner going in. They created something very nice at that spot. Hopefully the next people will expand into the adjacent unit.

Artisan cafe opened up for weekend evening dining during December. Not sure if it's permanent or was just the run up to Christmas.

Anyone know what's going in on the big site cleared on the Southern Cross, poss the old Schering Plough site?

Isn't that dead in the water with demise of Press Up Group?

Ok if it's kitted out somewhat then maybe but the way cinemas are not being attended anymore I'd be surprised to see it happen. Odeon would be good option for me as I use their Unlimited service which is good value. Use Stillorgan mostly and it's very quiet most of the time.

Where are the rumours coming from?

I read Lifestyle Sports is gone since yesterday. We were trying to do click and collect the other day and it wouldn't allow you to select Bray. Real pity to lose a wide storefront on the Main Street. I found the selection there in recent years limited and weird compared to other sports shops like Elverys, and of course Sports Direct probably had a big impact.

I can see the Life Style unit being empty for some time.... what a pity.

The old Bray Sports shop, originally located where Truly Dental is now, and then moved to where the entrance of Bray Central is (and was taken over by Elverys?), managed to have bikes upstairs and a vast array of footwear, sports clothing and equipment downstairs.

Lifestyle seemed to cater for dressing the youth of Bray in tracksuits and runners. And they seemed to have a limited selection of runners, so I rarely ventured in.

Cinemas generally have a lower rent per sqm attached to them, often having flexible performance based incentives. They are supposed to draw people in generally. I’m not sure what else would go there in its stead. Cinemas are still a viable business, just because there’s been a decline doesn’t mean they can’t operate if the right cost structure is there.

Cinemas still took in nearly €100m in box office takings in Ireland last year. There’s about 100 cinemas and 500 screens, meaning about €1m per cinema on average. Half of that goes to the studios so that’s about €500,000 for the cinema, which probably pays for most of the rent and fixed costs and ongoing capex to run the thing. Outside of that, the margin on popcorn and sweets will still make them money if run efficiently.

I don't know how attractive it is but also know that cinemas mostly depend on concession sales rather than ticket prices as structures of deals with studios and distributors can take 80% of ticket sales.

Either way, I would love to see a cinema in Bray (Ideally not Stella)but doubt it will happen unless Bray Central can lure tenants in with good deal. Not sure how much has been kitted out already.

Wow Burger closed. Not a surprise.

Such a shame. Centre is in a great location. This is all because they never got the cinema operational. It would have brought significant evening footfall in the centre.

Yeah the cinema is a must. There’s a lot of negativity but it is still mostly let. The existing tenants are pretty good, rancid Chemist Warehouse signage aside.

Sorry don't agree with this. Plenty of footfall in the area with Penneys etc. The problem is the place itself. Food was rubbish and overpriced.

I'm actually glad to see demise of Press Up group. Don't like any of their restaurants or food. Hopefully something better takes over the unit.

The cinema whilst welcomed will not be the elixir to everything. Cinemas are not attracting crowds like they used to.

Also added a Grafton Barber and Butler's Chocolates (which I like despite the silly layout).

But I don't know what people expect as most retail is now services rather than actual products.

Penney's seems to be doing well. I think Sport's Direct is a poor edition to the town.

I would have like to have seen a Home Store and more shop go in as Bray is missing something like that.