Stafford shops closing - Turning into a ghost town?

[proactive]

Does make me wonder how many people are not aware of that Mill Street/St Marys area, all small independents hoping for a good Christmas no doubt.- 89 days of worry to go for most of them I fear.

The proactive of the less well known shops in Mill Street seem to have A boards on the high street now, in the same way that the Soup Kitchen and Peter Rogers have had their A bikes tethered in the high street for years.

If you trade from an area with low footfall it's for you to do what you can to make people aware of your existence and attempt to drive up trade. Not moan about the lack of it when it's too late.

Either that or move somewhere you believe will be more profitable.

 

[Gramaisc]

Do A-boards really work? To me they are just obstructions - the barricade at the exit of Mill Street just offends me. I don't recall ever seeing one that was useful to me, in Stafford or elsewhere.

The bizarre blockade that Currys/PC World put by the top of the steps onto Foregate is just an annoyance that has to be walked around.

 

[proactive]

Do A-boards really work? To me they are just obstructions - the barricade at the exit of Mill Street just offends me. I don't recall ever seeing one that was useful to me, in Stafford or elsewhere.

The bizarre blockade that Currys/PC World put by the top of the steps onto Foregate is just an annoyance that has to be walked around.

No idea if they work or not. I agree about the barrier at the end of Mill Street, the could do with spreading out a bit.

Where my wife trades, A boards are not allowed. Then again they aren't needed.

 

[Feed The Goat]

My wife was told not to put an A board out to advertise her services.
It was just by Cobridge lights, I recall.

 

[proactive]

My wife was told not to put an A board out to advertise her services.
It was just by Cobridge lights, I recall.

 

[c0tt0nt0p]

 

[Frontal]

Do A-boards really work?

I use Too Fat Goblinz A-frame as a good indication Phil's gotten out of bed

 

[Glam]

I use Too Fat Goblinz A-frame as a good indication Phil's gotten out of bed

On his jolly hollibobs at the min, apparently has a friend looking after the place.

 

[Frontal]

Yeah, sunning it up in Cyprus if memory serves. Two holidays in a year, he's taking liberties!

 

[Wormella]

On his jolly hollibobs at the min, apparently has a friend looking after the place.

He is, but the stand in knows his stuff - it's just weather he can find it in Phil's shop...

 

[Glam]

He is, but the stand in knows his stuff - it's just weather he can find it in Phil's shop...

I told @MoD1982 get his arse down there and take advantage, there must be so many comics for him get his hands on.

 

[Feed The Goat]

Surprised "absolute beginners" hasn't closed yet, maybe i'm wrong but i've not see none person in there yet

Shop to Let sign now over Absolute Beginners in Bridge Street

 

[Feed The Goat]

Shop to Let sign now over Absolute Beginners in Bridge Street

According to the Agents John Chivers the property is opposite 'La Casa' wine bar.

This conjures up evenings of barmy sunshine with a glass of chilled chardonnay when in reality it means you may spend your time on a Saturday chipping dried puke off your shop window.

 

[tek-monkey]

According to the Agents John Chivers the property is opposite 'La Casa' wine bar.

This conjures up evenings of barmy sunshine with a glass of chilled chardonnay when in reality it means you may spend your time on a Saturday chipping dried puke off your shop window.

 

[HopesDad]

County Fruit Stores in Mill Street up for sale or rent at £20k pa.

 

[Really?]

County Fruit Stores in Mill Street up for sale or rent at £20k pa.

Oh dear. Lovely place but certainly not worth £20k a year, and buying a listed building is fraught with issues.

Difficult to see what other business would suit the premises, it's actually not that big as a shop and the listed designation would stop any major work. The Mill Street Quarter is a great area but the independents there are all finding it tough. When a butcher can't afford/be bothered to repair their sign things must be bad.

 

[Gareth]

Butcher????

You don't frequent Mill Street much yourself then

 

[Thehooperman]

Oh dear. Lovely place but certainly not worth £20k a year, and buying a listed building is fraught with issues.

Difficult to see what other business would suit the premises, it's actually not that big as a shop and the listed designation would stop any major work. The Mill Street Quarter is a great area but the independents there are all finding it tough. When a butcher can't afford/be bothered to repair their sign things must be bad.

I remember a baker being on Mill Street once upon a time but not a butcher nor a candlestick maker for that matter.

 

[Gareth]

Really basically rams home part of the issue with Staffordians, most of them cannot be bothered to have a look around as to what is.in the town and on the doorsteps, especially ins side and independents.

I have previously relayed the story of a chap in my employment moaning about no fruit and veg store in town. This is even though he had worked in town for years and lived in stafford for longer, the town had 3 at the time and he worked no more than 50 yards from mill street.

Signage and advertising are great for the visitor, but people who live and work in a small town centre should know the core offer and get off their arses to look around.

If people did maybe more of these shops would survive. Instead it is more convenient to blame the council, government landlords, other, shoppers, supermarkets, internet, all of them have a part to play but the average person is more culpable than any of the above with our choices.

It is the consumers choices that have been the demise of town centres up and down the country. Go back 10-15 years centres used to be full with varying options....those days are long gone and in this country there is little chance of it getting much better.

 

[tek-monkey]

Really basically rams home part of the issue with Staffordians, most of them cannot be bothered to have a look around as to what is.in the town and on the doorsteps, especially ins side and independents.

I have previously relayed the story of a chap in my employment moaning about no fruit and veg store in town. This is even though he had worked in town for years and lived in stafford for longer, the town had 3 at the time and he worked no more than 50 yards from mill street.

Signage and advertising are great for the visitor, but people who live and work in a small town centre should know the core offer and get off their arses to look around.

If people did maybe more of these shops would survive. Instead it is more convenient to blame the council, government landlords, other, shoppers, supermarkets, internet, all of them have a part to play but the average person is more culpable than any of the above with our choices.

It is the consumers choices that have been the demise of town centres up and down the country. Go back 10-15 years centres used to be full with varying options....those days are long gone and in this country there is little chance of it getting much better.

So what you are saying is locals should wander all the streets looking to see if new places have appeared, rather than looking for advertisements? Fine for those that work in town like I do, but hardly likely for those who work out of town so only ever have sat/sun to visit and generally have other things to do.

I actually spend an hour a day walking around Stafford town, I don't see the opening of a new vape shop as something to care about. I will give that new asian food place a go though.