Author Topic: Everything to do with Shops  (Read 638638 times)

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Offline SteveH

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Re: Everything to do with Shops
« Reply #1965 on: December 04, 2018, 06:09:21 pm »
Victoria Shopping Centre.... new shop opened in the old Store 21 (about six weeks ago), called "You Know Who’s" a Fashion Retailer offering High Street Brands for Less, lets hope it last's.
I also noticed what looks like a seasonal shop, selling a large selection of calendars.

Offline SteveH

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Re: Everything to do with Shops
« Reply #1966 on: December 08, 2018, 03:35:07 pm »
One of my pet hates, senseless vandalism, I had my shop windows broken twice, and the broken glass gets into everything, even after the clear up, you cannot risk selling  anything that could be affected, my sympathies to the business.

A business owner is determined not let a "pointless" vandal attack dampen his Christmas trade.
Mochdre business Julia Jones Ltd had its front windows smashed in during a vandal attack on Monday night.

While a total damage bill has not yet been calculated, the attack saw £5000 worth of damage done to the windows alone, but nothing was stolen.
The attack, which is believed to have been carried out with a hammer, forced the business to close on Tuesday but was re-opened the following day.

Owner Rob Jones, has had the business in Mochdre for 25 years - having taken it over from his mother Julia, and said he has never been the target of anything like this before.

But Mr Jones said he remained defiant and after the short closure on Tuesday was back open as usual.
He said: "It was just shear pointless vandalism.
"They didn't try and break in, they just broke the window - all it has done is cause hassle and gives us more to deal with.

"We have received some fantastic messages and emails from existing customers which has made me feel a little better."
Video    https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/17283631.mochdre-business-julia-jones-defiant-after-pointless-vandalism/?ref=mr&lp=2


Offline Hugo

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Re: Everything to do with Shops
« Reply #1967 on: December 08, 2018, 05:05:56 pm »
I'm sorry to hear that news, it was such a pointless act of vandalism.    I just hope that there are enough CCTV cameras in that area that may help the Police to find the perpetrator

Offline SteveH

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Re: Everything to do with Shops
« Reply #1968 on: December 23, 2018, 11:10:21 am »
Always amazes me how people buy 15 weeks worth of food before Christmas when the shops are closed for about 18 hours...
But, bearing that in mind, these are the Christmas opening times of the supermarkets in North Wales.

The Daily Posts list.
These are the Christmas opening times of the supermarkets in North Wales
https://www.dailypost.co.uk/whats-on/shopping/christmas-opening-times-supermarkets-north-15546160

Offline Yelboh

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Re: Everything to do with Shops
« Reply #1969 on: December 29, 2018, 10:19:27 pm »
Sadly, Grenwoods Menswear have closed.

A notice in the shop window says, “All outlets of Versatile International Trading Limited t/a Greenwoods Menswear have now closed for business permanently.

“The Company Director has instructed XL Business Solutions to place Versatile International Trading Limited into a Creditors Voluntary Liquidation.”

A sign of the times as its only 12 months since it was rescued out of administration.

With HMV going into administration this week too, I have a feeling this is just the start of a rather disturbing new wave of turmoil for the high street now the supposed golden goose of Christmas is out of the way, and with quarterly rents due at the end of January things won't get easier.

Offline Dave

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Re: Everything to do with Shops
« Reply #1970 on: December 30, 2018, 12:10:30 am »
It's all very well lamenting the closure of yet another high street shop but you have to ask yourself the question " when did I ever shop there?"
I have lived in LLandudno for 30 years and bought 1 shirt from Greenwoods in all that time.
HMV? I still have a few DVD's bought between my wife and I as Xmas presents for each other years ago that we still haven't watched and they have been on TV in the meantime.DVD's, CD's , all yesterday's technology.
What is really important is finding a way to maintain a reason for coming in to town to create the demand for cafes and coffee shops where it seems most money is spent in the high street nowadays.

Offline wrex

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Re: Everything to do with Shops
« Reply #1971 on: December 30, 2018, 07:23:36 am »
Not until the rents come down and buissness rates are sorted Llandudno will see more and more empty shops.Most shops are owned by pension funds ,just look at the Travelodge empty unit,rent offer has never come down in 4 years and they are happy to leave it empty.

Offline Ian

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Re: Everything to do with Shops
« Reply #1972 on: December 30, 2018, 09:20:26 am »
Yep; that's iniquitous in the extreme. But I don't believe the High Street is dead - it's simply undergoing a forced transformation and it's how businesses react to that pressure that will see it either survive or become derelict. BBC had a feature the other day that suggested a lot of councils are buying the shopping malls in towns. Apparently, although the rents are not being lowered, the cost to buy of these places has plummeted.

Thing is, there are niche shops springing up around the country:  https://millstonemills.com/ is an example, as is https://www.redsquarebrick.com/, while https://kaethe-wohlfahrt.com/ is yet another, and some outstanding second-hand book stores are appearing.  All of these start out with an excellent website but also have their own premises which can be visited.  Yes - I think we're maybe seeing the end of the department store but the number of opportunities for small, specialist stores is - if anything - increasing.

Llandudno, of course, is perfectly positioned for a virtual theme park but, as always, major businesses are unable to think differently and try new ideas;  the opportunities exist but whether investors will be willing to invest in things they don't fully understand is another matter.  Capitalism is a somewhat flawed concept.
Nothing is so firmly believed as that which we least know.  ― Michel de Montaigne

Si hoc legere scis, nimis eruditionis habes.

Offline Yelboh

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Re: Everything to do with Shops
« Reply #1973 on: December 30, 2018, 09:24:05 am »
As has often been said “The pace of change has never been this fast, yet it will never be this slow again.”  The high street has to become more relevant to consumers, and Dave you are right in what you say.  "Experiential" is a phrase often used where shops become more like showrooms for customers - I guess we are some way off this yet, but suggest that Apple are closest.   However, similarly those shopping areas ( whether their be high streets, retail parks or shopping centres) where they successfully combine retail, and leisure (restaurants, cinema etc) to create a family day out are certainly performing better.  Parking charges continue to be a big issue, possibly equally big as rent and rates, since they really put customers off, and can dictate where people shop from the outset.
Thankfully in Llandudno and Conwy we have so much still to be thankful for in terms of reasons to visit beyond shops, and fewer empty shops than many towns as a result, and whilst parking continues to not be easy, a little persistence normally allows you to find a free space.  Colwyn Bay town centre is a different proposition altogether however, will the new council offices be the regeneration spark that is hoped for?  Time will tell.
As I say it will be interesting on what 2019 will bring.  I would suggest a Debenhams CVA is likely as they need to loose some non performing stores. 
What we shouldn't forget is the employees at the centre of this and how often poor leadership, greed, failure to modernise the business by senior management has left them in this position.

Offline wrex

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Re: Everything to do with Shops
« Reply #1974 on: December 30, 2018, 02:30:37 pm »
Conwy is a success and no shortage of investors.

Offline SteveH

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Re: Everything to do with Shops
« Reply #1975 on: December 30, 2018, 03:03:08 pm »
Although various reasons have been bandied about, as to why shops are closing, the comment "Too many shops" mentioned in this article, is one reason I had not considered before.

"It used to be so easy.
To grow in the past, all retailers had to do was open new stores. A huge amount of retail space was laid down in the boom times, including edge-of-town and out-of-town retail parks.

But the traditional business model is now broken. There are now simply too many shops, and often in the wrong locations.

It's proving difficult for retailers to adapt. They can't just hand back the keys and close a raft of stores.

"The problem for most big retailers is that they've signed up in the past, when it seemed like a good idea, on, say, 25 or 30-year leases. The one thing you can't alter is your biggest single cost. The fact that you can't get out of those leases is the ultimate killer blow,"
   ref BBC

What went wrong on the High Street in 2018?
By Emma Simpson
Business correspondent, BBC News
29 December 2018
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-46646990


Offline wrex

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Re: Everything to do with Shops
« Reply #1976 on: December 30, 2018, 08:03:23 pm »
Altrincham has bucked the trend with turning the towns old market into an artizan market,this could possibley work in the old M&S but who is going too invest.

Offline temperancellandudno

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Re: Everything to do with Shops
« Reply #1977 on: December 30, 2018, 08:08:38 pm »
Evening' all

Just come back from a pleasant afternoon in Llandudno.

I was planning to visit Craft Age, and on my last visit found that part of the shop was closing and the rest being consolidated into two units, from four (I think).

Surprised to find it closed today - website suggests it opens on Sundays, and i've not seen it closed before. Shop was full of stock but this didn't look like it was orderly enough to allow the place to open. And there was, in clear view, a letter about business rates, sitting in the window on a pile of merchandise.

Has the place closed? Very sorry if so, but just wondered.

Happy New year (when it comes)

TL

Offline Nemesis

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Re: Everything to do with Shops
« Reply #1978 on: December 31, 2018, 08:35:14 am »
Some upset in the family to my knowledge. My source of info ( a rep ) says that the son is taking over. She also has to tidy up before she can see how much knitting wool he needs !
Mad, Bad and Dangerous to know.

Offline Bri Roberts

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Re: Everything to do with Shops
« Reply #1979 on: December 31, 2018, 12:57:49 pm »
 Mrs R was chatting to the son last week and he confirmed he is taking over as his father is now retired.

More significantly, both units were open today.  :)