Tom Morton of the Shropshire Star reports very good news on De Grey’s. Tasty, the company currently refurbishing the building, has told the newspaper it intends to keep not only the De Grey’s name, but also the traditional tearoom and bakery. The report says that Tasty will probably trade as “Wildwood at De Grey’s.”
Jonathan Plant of Tasty Plc. told the newspaper: “We’re going to continue the tea room theme at the front, with a bakery and deli, pretty much in the same style. The big difference will be at the rear where there will be a kitchen doing our high-end pizza, pasta and grill menu.”
I’ve asked Tasty’s agent whether the company is planning any changes to the hanging sign over Broad Street. I hope not. That’s the elephant in the room for me.
Update 4 August
More good news. The agent for Tasty has emailed to say:
“I can confirm that the client will be keeping the iconic De Grey’s sign in its existing format and location.”
Three cheers for that! The De Grey’s sign has long been part of the Broad Street street scene and changing it or removing it would be intolerable. It’s great news that Tasty Plc. also intends to keep the traditional tearoom and bakery at the front of the premises. The arrival of the Wildwood restaurant in Broad Street was initially seen as a threat to its historic character. Now it looks looks like being a great asset to the street and the town centre.
