Large food store, DIY or organic products store… For two and a half years, many brands have shown interest in taking over the premises at 15 rue Gambetta. But, despite their potential, the constraints put off buyers. The most likely track, now, is to divide the building into several businesses.
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Today at 06:00 | updated today at 07:37
Dust has settled on the tiles over time but the premises are like new. “All you have to do is mop the floor and turn the meter back on,” notes Michel Mérieux, in charge of marketing the premises. The store is beautiful, H&M left it spot on. “But obviously this is not enough to attract buyers.
For two and a half years, and the departure of the ready-to-wear brand to the Steel shopping center, many have been interested but nothing has ever materialized. And the historic New Galleries building remains empty.
An interior difficult to arrange
Although in immaculate condition, the 1,250 m² store actually imposes many constraints. Inside, the space is already divided by large pillars, which hide the metal structure of the building built at the end of the 19th century.e century. “They had to be isolated for safety reasons, in the event of a fire,” explains Michel Mérieux. But, today, it is a brake for potential buyers because it makes the places more difficult to develop. »
Inside, the many pillars are as many constraints for the layout. Photo Progress /Mathilde DELACROIX
Empty for more than two years, the premises are in perfect condition. Photo Progress /Mathilde DELACROIX
The 1,250 m² of surface area is available for rental or sale. Photo Progress /Mathilde DELACROIX
Work could be done but would significantly increase the already substantial budget. The former H&M premises are offered for rent, for 250,000 euros in annual rent, or for purchase, for 3 million euros. A “reasonable” price, according to the real estate agent, “but a little more expensive than in the area”.
“There is a problem of profitability”
A supermarket, a DIY or furniture store… several stores of this type were also interested for a while. Without success. “There is a problem of profitability”, continues Michel Mérieux. “People can’t park in front of the building, it’s not possible to go out with a cart or to load large goods into your car. So the average basket will not be very high and on the turnover, it does not pass. »
If the location of the building, in the city center, is a great asset for its marketing, the surroundings, largely reserved for pedestrians and the tram, however pose a problem for deliveries. “It’s not easy for a semi-trailer to get here and leave. Even more so now that Place Waldeck-Rousseau will be entirely pedestrianized. The trucks have to turn around on the Place du Peuple,” continues Michel Mérieux.
No service activities according to the PLU
This commercial real estate professional thought of setting up a yoga, fitness or massage room in the premises on rue Gambetta… but, again, it’s impossible. “This is another of the many constraints imposed by the building: the local urban plan stipulates that only businesses can settle here, which therefore eliminates all service activities”, he regrets.
In the business for more than thirty years, and with “nearly 1,000 stores sold” to his credit, Michel Mérieux does not despair. The New Galleries will soon come back to life. “This is my challenge, the last one. »
A well-being or food gallery: two avenues under study
To buy or rent the entire surface and install a single brand, Michel Mérieux no longer has any serious leads. What seems to be looming now is the transformation of the 1,250 m² into a shopping mall which would bring together around ten different businesses. “However, this requires a lot of work,” says the real estate agent. We would have to redo the electricity, the air conditioning… that can quickly add up. »
Soon a bakery or a tea room?
Two gallery projects are therefore under consideration, according to Michel Mérieux. One would be more oriented around well-being, but seems more complicated to develop. “Because of the constraints of the PLU, which excludes service activities, it is not easy to find a dozen different stores in this area,” he continues.
The second project is more centered on food. “The idea would be to see a bakery, a tea room, a canning factory or a chocolate factory set up… only national brands”, Michel Mérieux lists. “But this second option seems to cool the town hall a little, which is afraid that it will compete with Halles Mazerat. On the side of the town hall of Saint-Étienne, however, we say the opposite: “If the offer is complementary to that of Les Halles, it can only energize the sector. »
“Right now, business is complicated”
Finding a buyer for the Nouvelles galeries is certainly not easy, but Michel Mérieux is not helped by the economic context either. “Right now, trade is complicated,” sighs the one who was first a trader. “Containment has changed purchasing methods and people use the internet a lot today. If you add to that inflation and two-euro petrol… We can clearly see that certain groups are beginning to struggle. »
Through the large bay windows of the New Galleries, he points to vacant premises just opposite. “Thirty-two years ago, Rue Gambetta was as dead as it is today. It will come back up, that’s for sure, but it will be different. At 70, the real estate agent has seen the trade evolve and the demand for commercial premises too. “Today, brands are looking for spaces between 80 and 150 m². But, in the city center, we don’t have the corresponding offer, the vacant premises are smaller than that. It would be necessary to be able to join together two stores… it is not simple. »
