Forever Vacant?

Church Lane & High Street

It really doesn't paint a pretty picture.  This was the building on the corner of Church Lane and The High Street in Tonbridge when I last passed by.  Looking forlorn, miserable and empty. It seems that Alishan may not be moving into the corner building afterall, and this is a great shame as it is a really a good restaurant.  It would have certainly given long awaited life to this vacant and sad corner of Church Lane. But, it isn't all bad news as I have heard, through the grapevine, that a new and already established business selling original and unique t shirts could be occupying the space in the future.

The last time I remember going into this corner building was when it was an enormous Oxfam, and I've spent many a time sifting through the racks and shelves trying to find something vintage, or even unearth a valuable. I believe at some point the site was occupied by a supermarket (does anyone remember this?????), and going back as far as 1789, Beeching's the linen draper traded here, and later the family opened Beeching's Bank on the premises.

Whatever business moves into the corner of Church Lane it will be welcomed, as this prime site has been boarded up and disused for far too long.  Here's hoping for some new life in this part of the town in the not too distant future.