The changes to Newbury, Who wanted them? Options

[dannyboy]

The rates and rents will be astronomical and after a period of 6-12 months trading the retailers will realise that the shops are not viable and will close to be replaced by either empty units or poundland shops.

What are Poundland doing that makes their business viable in these malls with astronomical rents?

[dannyboy]

i can't imagine 'browsing' in Newbury any more. Used to LOVE the town, but sadly not anymore. I have lived here for the last 36 years. We have to have change, but we dont have to like it.

so where are you going browsing & shopping now?

[JeffG]

so where are you going browsing & shopping now?

It it something one has to do somewhere in any event? For my own part, I might have gone into town in the past and spent a while wandering around. Now I only ever go into town when it's essential (appointment or whatever). I don't feel the urge to go anywhere else instead.

[Roost]

Yes, the Oracle was good for Reading and I'm sure that Festival Place was equally good for Basingstoke. But that's the point, they were good for other towns. With two ultra-modern slidy floored shopping centres within such a close proximity, was there really any need for another that will put Newbury in direct competition with the above towns?

I will never understand why they just didn't try to concentrate on what Newbury actually was, a market town with independant traders. Instead it'll just be Mini-Reading.

Nice.

[Andy]

I will never understand why they just didn't try to concentrate on what Newbury actually was, a market town with independant traders.

Exactly....WAS. It has grown too large to really be called a "market" town any more, so reality has to kick in to cope with that and future expansion, by developing for that future.

[Bloggo]

Exactly....WAS. It has grown too large to really be called a "market" town any more, so reality has to kick in to cope with that and future expansion, by developing for that future.

Yes, you are right in saying Newbury has grown and it does need to be developed but it does not need to be a clone of Basingstoke or Reading and I hope that the retail units are not going to reflect that.
I hope there will be room for the boutique style shops such as Antiques, specialist jewellers and the like.
It can still retain some of it's "market town" heritage.

[wabbit]

What are Poundland doing that makes their business viable in these malls with astronomical rents?

It's called 'turnover'

[Iommi]

Exactly....WAS. It has grown too large to really be called a "market" town any more, so reality has to kick in to cope with that and future expansion, by developing for that future.

If they were to do that, then they'd just build a few retail parks on the outskirts of town and have done with it.

[Bartholomew]

As Andy says, file the responses under 'Human Characteristics (Part One) - Resistance To Change' (or "It ain't like it was in MY day...")

Nobody likes the disruption and inconvenience, but once it's built we soon accept changes. Reminds me of the experiment with chimps....


Sounds familiar??

It does sound familiar, just like this board, in fact. When favourite topics such as the Parkway development and the bollards are posted, those that have an opinion that isn't generally accepted are mobbed by the others.

[user23]

Exactly....WAS. It has grown too large to really be called a "market" town any more, so reality has to kick in to cope with that and future expansion, by developing for that future.

Totally correct. I wonder at what date some would like to have frozen the progress of Newbury?

Before the bypass? Pre Kennet Centre? Before the railway and canal came to town?

[dannyboy]

It's called 'turnover'

turnover, generated by selling things people want, at prices they want to pay. Retail 101!

[Biker1]

There's one thing that is certain to never change and that is.........................change.

[Biker1]

It will be intersting to see what happens to the Kennet Centre (which is already one third empty) when Debenham's move out when Parkway opens.................eventually.
I see it is delayed by a massive 6 months which the developers say is "good".

(Sorry "positive impact".)

[Strafin]

It will be intersting to see what happens to the Kennet Centre (which is already one third empty) when Debenham's move out when Parkway opens.................eventually.
I see it is delayed by a massive 6 months which the developers say is "good".

(Sorry "positive impact".)

Is it that empty? I thought it had picked up in there.

[Biker1]

Is it that empty? I thought it had picked up in there.

OK I might have exaggerated a little but it will be when Debenhams moves won't it?

[Strafin]

OK I might have exaggerated a little but it will be when Debenhams moves won't it?

Oh yes, that's a big unit. I honestly don't know how it is in there, I rarely go down there anymore. For no other reason than I'm a bit skint not that I am making any sort of protest.

[Hugh Saskin]

Oh yes, that's a big unit. I honestly don't know how it is in there, I rarely go down there anymore. For no other reason than I'm a bit skint not that I am making any sort of protest.

Just done a recce in the Kennet Centre and there are currently four empty retail units, all fairly small ones. Plenty of people in there this morning and, lordy, lordy, Poundland are knocking out four 100w bulbs for a quid!!! Will there be more retail units in the new entrance under the cinema though?

[wabbit]

Agreed, four units vacant at the moment isn't bad for current trading conditions but, in all honesty, how many of the present ones trading now will actually survive, even until the (delayed) opening of the Parkway development?

That Gadget Gizmo shop for example - how many of us, in these recessionary times, would/could waste money on that kind of c**p? - and that seems to be a mighty big unit for a shop with apparently very little stock.

[Hugh Saskin]

That Gadget Gizmo shop for example - how many of us, in these recessionary times, would/could waste money on that kind of c**p? - and that seems to be a mighty big unit for a shop with apparently very little stock.

Short term lease, possibly? See that The Works, which closed in Northbrook St has opened up in the Kennet Centre. Some tat, admittedly but some very good stuff, too. Got a lovely art deco watch for £4.99 - and that includes a 12 moon guarantee

[blackdog]

There's one thing that is certain to never change and that is.........................change.

Rubbish, change is the most changeable thing around. Todays change is tomorrow's old fashioned way of doing things. Tear it down and build something new - squander resources as quickly as possible, its good for the bottom line.