New shop for old HMV/Morrison's building, High quality and up market shop... No really... Options

[Ciderdrinker]

Just walked passed the old HMV/Morrison's building and there is a planning permission notice on the lamp post. The applicant? bloody Poundland, yes Poundland.

Oh joy..

[On the edge]

So what? Apoarently we don't want any more coffee outlets and Newbury hasn't the clientele sufficient to support a quality Deli, Cooking implements shop or florist, even a chain multiple food store failed. Hopefully, the latest town centre residential developments and that proposed around the station will bring a much greater number of shoppers so keeping the town centre retail sector live. Just a thought; what type of retail outlet do you think would actually work in the town centre in today's environment?

[Ciderdrinker]

So what? Apoarently we don't want any more coffee outlets and Newbury hasn't the clientele sufficient to support a quality Deli, Cooking implements shop or florist, even a chain multiple food store failed. Hopefully, the latest town centre residential developments and that proposed around the station will bring a much greater number of shoppers so keeping the town centre retail sector live. Just a thought; what type of retail outlet do you think would actually work in the town centre in today's environment?

I agree with the coffee shops, the Deli, not sure, only went in there once. Cooking implement store closed because the property owners wanted to convert the upstairs into flats and Morrison's was the wrong sized store.

But it seems a waste to have something like a Poundland in a property as big as HMV was (and they didn't used the whole of the ground floor as retail space). There are a number of stores which would be more suited, clothing (Primark, BHS etc. at one point TK Maxx was looking to move), electrical/entertainment or a decent outdoors shop (Millets/Blacks has gone downhill, so GoOutDoors etc)

[GMR]

Just walked passed the old HMV/Morrison's building and there is a planning permission notice on the lamp post. The applicant? bloody Poundland, yes Poundland. Oh joy..

Newbury has gone down hill over the years, so it isn't surprising; therefore we must think of those below us. They need Poundland, while the rich ones have Camp Hopson, coffee shops, Restaurants' and Scats (now Mole).

[On the edge]

I agree with the coffee shops, the Deli, not sure, only went in there once. Cooking implement store closed because the property owners wanted to convert the upstairs into flats and Morrison's was the wrong sized store.

But it seems a waste to have something like a Poundland in a property as big as HMV was (and they didn't used the whole of the ground floor as retail space). There are a number of stores which would be more suited, clothing (Primark, BHS etc. at one point TK Maxx was looking to move), electrical/entertainment or a decent outdoors shop (Millets/Blacks has gone downhill, so GoOutDoors etc)

It still boils down to custom. If all of those shops were making a reasonable living, they'd still be here; there are other premises they could have moved to. Arguably, the size of the shop in question was far far to big for HMV, but ironically, Poundland with a much larger range is likely to be able to fill it. Location is everything in retail and it's almost impossible to put a 'preferred type' on any premises. Robert Dyas being a good example, from observations, I feel their present premises are too small. Good luck to Poundland, hope they make a great success. Let's not forget both Woolworth and M&S both started in an exactly similar way - nothing above sixpence. They also met with the same predudices, but who woukd refuse an M&S today....

[CrackerJack]

This is going to be a posh Poundland as everything will be priced at £2.



I take it the current Poundland will exit from the Kennet Centre and that place will continue to slide into oblivion...?

For all the turnover of businesses within the town centre itself there has just never even been a start at giving it a try on the business units under the cinema. Nandos seems to have been pretty successful. It's surprising that Gourmet Burger Kitchen or similar haven't even tried to test the market...

[On the edge]

I suspect that if the proposed residential apartment development around the bus station takes off - so will that end of town. Right now, for the multiples, new ventures are likely to be on hold, the economy may have turned the corner but austerity is nowhere near over. Nando doing OK in normal times would attract competition, but now? As Morrisons demonstrated here, Tesco metro is apoarently doing fine, but competition? Not just yet perhaps. Hopefully things will get better.

[Andy Capp]

I don't believe we have austerity; we still spend more than we earn.

[On the edge]

I don't believe we have austerity; we still spend more than we earn.

I think you are absolutely right; it's not austerity more stupidity. We've sold the farm and are now squandering the proceeds and with Osbourne flogging off the last bit of the Post Office, we are down to the furniture.

[user23]

I don't think austerity has as much to do with the success of shops like Poundland as people think.

The market dictates what's on the high street and whilst the internet rules retail these days the one thing it can't compete with is low cost goods. After all, who's going to pay £3 postage and packing for an item that costs £1? Cheaper alternatives can be available online, but this often means waiting a few weeks to get something of questionable quality from the Far East.

Poundland has the world wide web as much as a world recession to thank for its success.

[Andy Capp]

The market dictates what's on the high street and whilst the internet rules retail these days the one thing it can't compete with is low cost goods. After all who's going to pay £3 postage and packing for an item that costs £1?

That's alright if you walk, or don't park too long!

[On the edge]

Exactly the gap Woolworth spotted in the pre internet days. Ironic, he was up against Sears and Marshall Ward in the States - a sort of manual on line shopping. All you needed was the big catalouge and the mail service! Internet is a bit faster, but not much has changed.

[JaneGibbs]

I would presume that the Poundland in the Centre will be the one moving to the Morrison store. I can't see a need for two Poundlands. It would be nice though to have something new in Newbury.

[On the edge]

Yes, it would JaneGibbs, but the Newbury people don't seem to like new ventures, even if they've been suggesting otherwise. As Oldburys, a decent deli which we now don't have or Kitchenmonger, who seem OK in Hungerford both demonstrate. Newbury is quite happy with metro versions of the big chains, or out of town outlets. Fortunately it fits the strategic vision for the town, where we are just a dormitory suburb of Greater London and somewhere Mum and Dad can be parked in their dotage.

[GMR]

Yes, it would JaneGibbs, but the Newbury people don't seem to like new ventures, even if they've been suggesting otherwise. As Oldburys, a decent deli which we now don't have or Kitchenmonger, who seem OK in Hungerford both demonstrate. Newbury is quite happy with metro versions of the big chains, or out of town outlets. Fortunately it fits the strategic vision for the town, where we are just a dormitory suburb of Greater London and somewhere Mum and Dad can be parked in their dotage.

No they don't, just look what happened when Ann Summers opened up; the old dears reached for their vibrators and pointed them at the cheek-of-it-shop and they eventually vanished in a puff of sexy lingerie. Now people have to go to Reading if they want a bit more stimulation and a Rabbit (hutch not included).

[HeatherW]

No they don't, just look what happened when Ann Summers opened up; the old dears reached for their vibrators and pointed them at the cheek-of-it-shop and they eventually vanished in a puff of sexy lingerie. Now people have to go to Reading if they want a bit more stimulation and a Rabbit (hutch not included).

That was witty. There maybe hope for you yet, but don't give up your day job.

I think there are a lot of snobs where Poundland and the 99p shop is concerned. Over the years such shops have grown and a very successful.

[Andy Capp]

At the end of the day, shoppers will determine what shops occupy the premises. Nothing wrong with £ shops in my view.

[On the edge]

That was witty. There maybe hope for you yet, but don't give up your day job.

I think there are a lot of snobs where Poundland and the 99p shop is concerned. Over the years such shops have grown and a very successful.

Yes, it's how Woolworth and Marks started.

[Simon Kirby]

At the end of the day, shoppers will determine what shops occupy the premises. Nothing wrong with £ shops in my view.

I'm pleased to hear you say that. We'll make a laissez-faire liberal out of you yet.

[Andy Capp]

I'm pleased to hear you say that. We'll make a laissez-faire liberal out of you yet.

You still need to force children to brush their teeth. After all, people shop where they want and we're getting fatter while the planet's resources diminish.