tek-monkey
wanna see my snake?
Yeah, they closed last month.
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What would you like to see happen to all the empty shops?
- Thread starter Lunar Scorpion
- Start date
Lunar Scorpion
Anarchy in the UK
How about...
A local, independent internet cafe and shop for the ethically aware?
Organic and/or fairtrade food/drink, products from the local farms etc and some computers hooked up to the internet - and the unique selling point would be that the business would be run as ethically as possible with recycling, green electricity etc.
What do people think - would this work for Stafford? Is the three-pronged approach too ambitious for a business just starting up (e.g. should it start as a cafe, a shop, an internet cafe, a cafe shop and then expand)?
Will it make me rich?!
A local, independent internet cafe and shop for the ethically aware?
Organic and/or fairtrade food/drink, products from the local farms etc and some computers hooked up to the internet - and the unique selling point would be that the business would be run as ethically as possible with recycling, green electricity etc.
What do people think - would this work for Stafford? Is the three-pronged approach too ambitious for a business just starting up (e.g. should it start as a cafe, a shop, an internet cafe, a cafe shop and then expand)?
Will it make me rich?!
tek-monkey
wanna see my snake?
They've tried a cyber cafe in Stafford a few years ago, didn't last long and that was before most people had broadband. Couldn't rely on that for an income unfortunately.
Silverfish
Well-Known Forumite
Yes, with widespread home internet and free access available in most libraries, the era of the cybercafe is over. It's just not possible to launch one now, unless you launch in a big city and make it 24-hour...
Lunar Scorpion
Anarchy in the UK
A cafe and/or shop then... Cool, that's another one of my brilliant ideas that may never come to fruition! Although I went to an interesting meeting tonight and a similar thing (most likely for young people) could be a possibility...
Tell me more about the meeting.Lunar Scorpion said:
I think there should be something like you suggest - where community/environmental/social change activists, or anyone who just wants to be friendly, can meet up and share resources. Access to a computer/photocopying etc etc might be a good idea.
theflamingred
Well-Known Forumite
Nope - don't remember that one. There in may have been it's flaw - lack of awareness/poo marketing.Wookie said:
P.S. Anyone starting up in the town centre, my marketing consulting fee is very reasonable!
The only thing I always think of when it comes to what I want in the town, is a Toy R Us. Yeah, it would have to be at one of the retail parks, and I'm obviously a big kid but it's the only thing I really want for.
I come from Hertford where, in the town, you can buy a house or get drunk and start a fight. There are no shoe shops, MacDonald's even moved out, no decent clothes shop, no independent record or arty shops. Nothing - void - nip. You want clothes, shoes, food, gifts - or anything apart from a house or a hang over - you have to travel to another town. Hence my being a permanent Stafford resident now - and with absolutely no desire to go anywhere else.
i think the town needs to move on a bit with the town as on this thread on the stafford rangers forum, is that no one is willing to change or risk updating stafford to put it on the map, i think with the town centre the thing what is needed is more city shops, independany retailers are nice but are not going to be backed http://z3.invisionfree.com/staffordrangersfans/index.php?showtopic=523
tek-monkey
wanna see my snake?
nice as that may sound, I've always thought city type shops make a place souless. I always preferred the smaller, stranger shops. Revenge was great, shame that had to close, but like you say they need some backing. If the council gave some incentives, rather than penalising the crap out of them in taxes/rates, I'm sure we'd be a lot better off.
Silverfish
Well-Known Forumite
Interestingly, I've heard a reliable rumour that Brambles, the sandwich bar opposite the library's side entrance, is to reopen as a cybercafe. It might be worth asking if you can leave some fliers on the desks. After all, that's how I found this forum - from a flier I picked up at The Lamb.Andreas Rex said:
When I went to Australia Interweb cafe's were everywhere due to the aparant lack of broadband tinternet available in peoples homes and the huge amount of traveler types, so they were all busy and well handy to e-mail and send pics home!
It's a good idea but do we really need one in Stafford, from what I'm aware the internet is free in the library and there isn't exactly a big queue waiting to access it!?
It's a good idea but do we really need one in Stafford, from what I'm aware the internet is free in the library and there isn't exactly a big queue waiting to access it!?
Silverfish
Well-Known Forumite
Precisely - I'm glad I haven't got money invested in this venture.
I can see it working in Australia, which is full of backpackers and very remote, but not the UK. Even tourists will simply use the library, and how many of those do we get in Stafford?
I can see it working in Australia, which is full of backpackers and very remote, but not the UK. Even tourists will simply use the library, and how many of those do we get in Stafford?
John Marwood
I ♥ cryptic crosswords
Apparently... there is to be a Pagan conference at Lea Hall Colliery......
captainpish
Well-Known Forumite
Will there be human sacrifice? Wouldnt mind popping in for that just out of morbid curiosity like
proactive
Enjoying a drop of red.
It's Rugeley. Doubt you'll find any humans.
