Stafford shops closing - Turning into a ghost town?

Cue

Cue

Well-Known Forumite
bunique said:
The staff are always really nice though so I hope they can be redeployed locally.
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I think some of the staff work multiple stores, I was served by someone who I’m pretty sure served me in the Next one once

But yeah, it’s unsurprising as that end of town is not great for footfall.
 
Withnail

Withnail

Well-Known Forumite
Studio Tan said:
Local chap called ‘Chris’ opens the call-in for today’s Radio4 ‘you and yours’ programme, ‘How well does your high street work for you’ :

www.bbc.co.uk

BBC Radio 4 - You and Yours, Call You and Yours: How well does your high street work for you?

Call You and Yours: How well does your high street work for you?
www.bbc.co.uk www.bbc.co.uk
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Do we think that 'Chris' is right?

Do we think that a 'proper' food market, the kind that he envisions, would work in the centre of town in the way that St. John's did in the 70's? Do we think it would have the social implications he implies?

I'm unconvinced.
 
tek-monkey

tek-monkey

wanna see my snake?
Withnail said:
Do we think that 'Chris' is right?

Do we think that a 'proper' food market, the kind that he envisions, would work in the centre of town in the way that St. John's did in the 70's? Do we think it would have the social implications he implies?

I'm unconvinced.
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In most households both parents work, so who is the target market?
 
littleme

littleme

250,000th poster!
tek-monkey said:
In most households both parents work, so who is the target market?
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I agree, plus lots of people work shift patterns which can be chaotic & leave no regular day off... my only consistent day off is a Monday and lots of places like hairdressers don't open on Mondays as they work all weekend.

And, who wants to go shopping on their day off?!
 
Glam

Glam

Mad Cat Woman
littleme said:
And, who wants to go shopping on their day off?!
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I hate shopping at the best of times. I'm really happy that Sainsburys do the smart shop now, means I don't have to talk to anyone in there if I don't want to, apart from @littleme , the lovely Tina & Mad as a hatter Vicky. I'm pleasant to the others, but that's it.
 
tek-monkey

tek-monkey

wanna see my snake?
littleme said:
And, who wants to go shopping on their day off?!
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I avoid town at the weekend as it's so manic, because most people have weekends off and can't use town in the week. I work from home so could use town in the week, but with Stafford traffic that hour becomes maybe 20 minutes of actual shopping so why bother?

Supermarkets have killed towns because towns didn't adapt when peoples lives changed. The internet was going to do the same to supermarkets, but they went 24/7 to fight back. I'm not saying town centres should go 24/7 but if your target market can only come in one day a week you may as well shut up shop.


EDIT: TBH I think towns already lost the fight. They need to offer an experience as well as shops that sell things you don't buy online. You need small restaurants and bars, in amongst little shops not big chain places you can find in any out of town hellhole. Lichfield has it right, Stafford almost deliberately went the opposite way.
 
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Glam

Glam

Mad Cat Woman
I would love a really decent shoe shop. Considering the shoe trade used to be a major employer in town, we have nothing. I don't want Jimmy Choos or that Manilo bloke I can't spell, just a decent, reasonably priced shoe shop that caters for everyone.
 
Glam

Glam

Mad Cat Woman
Gramaisc said:
Some of us can remember when people used to moan about how many shoe shops there were in Stafford...
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Stone had a lot, Astburys, Hiltons, Contract amongst others. We were spoilt for choice. I don't want a Shoe Zone or Stead & Simpson, they used sell cheap shoes that never lasted and quite possibly damaged your feet.
Clarks is/was good as was Peter Lord in the CO-OP.
 
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