Stafford shops closing - Turning into a ghost town?

gon2seed

gon2seed

(and me! - Ed)
No'3 ? :- Four of us went in today, looking to order a meal, it was after 2.00pm. Only one other punter in there, supping a half in the corner. The only member of staff behind the bar, asked us if we just wanted a drink, "no" I replied, we are looking to eat. "Take a seat, and I'll bring over some menu's!" We did, and she did, and then she disappeared into the back after saying she would return soon to take our order.
There was no music on in the place and no atmosphere. The menu was uninspiring, offering little above burgers, soup or sandwiches! The staff member showed no sign of returning. We perused the menu, drank in the silence and atmosphere, voted with our feet! Am I surprised to hear that it's closing? ......... What do you think! :ohno:

We hot footed it to ZIzzi's, had a lovely meal, plenty of choice, and as we got it at 30% reduction, pretty reasonable!

Christ! how bad is Stafford that it can't host a Pizza Express, when Cannock can? Prior to it's demise PE was our 'go to' eatery. Zizzi's has now become our favourite. It's consistent, a decent variety of choice and good value for money. 👍
 
Cue

Cue

Well-Known Forumite
What on earth is going on with the street with the old Millets unit? It’s all cordoned off
 
T

Tumble weed

Well-Known Forumite
Another one gone.
 

Attachments

  • Screenshot_2023-01-09-20-36-52-08_40deb401b9ffe8e1df2f1cc5ba480b12.jpg
    Screenshot_2023-01-09-20-36-52-08_40deb401b9ffe8e1df2f1cc5ba480b12.jpg
    202.1 KB · Views: 124
T

Tumble weed

Well-Known Forumite
gon2seed said:
No'3 ? :- Four of us went in today, looking to order a meal, it was after 2.00pm. Only one other punter in there, supping a half in the corner. The only member of staff behind the bar, asked us if we just wanted a drink, "no" I replied, we are looking to eat. "Take a seat, and I'll bring over some menu's!" We did, and she did, and then she disappeared into the back after saying she would return soon to take our order.
There was no music on in the place and no atmosphere. The menu was uninspiring, offering little above burgers, soup or sandwiches! The staff member showed no sign of returning. We perused the menu, drank in the silence and atmosphere, voted with our feet! Am I surprised to hear that it's closing? ......... What do you think! :ohno:

We hot footed it to ZIzzi's, had a lovely meal, plenty of choice, and as we got it at 30% reduction, pretty reasonable!

Christ! how bad is Stafford that it can't host a Pizza Express, when Cannock can? Prior to it's demise PE was our 'go to' eatery. Zizzi's has now become our favourite. It's consistent, a decent variety of choice and good value for money. 👍
Click to expand...
Probably knew they were closing and didn't care anymore.
 
Thehooperman

Thehooperman

Well-Known Forumite
Tumble weed said:
Probably knew they were closing and didn't care anymore.
Click to expand...
I've heard the taxman came a calling last week and that was the law straw.

I don't think it has ever been a case of Mark or Beck's not caring and it is unfair to say they didn't care.

I think it was more that their marketing and their awareness of what customers actually need was wrong.
 
T

Tumble weed

Well-Known Forumite
Thehooperman said:
I've heard the taxman came a calling last week and that was the law straw.

I don't think it has ever been a case of Mark or Beck's not caring and it is unfair to say they didn't care.

I think it was more that their marketing and their awareness of what customers actually need was wrong.
Click to expand...
I'm still surprised they went for such a lavish place , there are much smaller more intimate places available to rent , any number could have had a little seating area. However , I guess anywhere along the main strip would have been crippling, maybe an empty premises down one of the side street would have faired better, but then you could argue you wouldn't get the passing trade...

However if a large national firm couldn't make that spot profitable, unfortunately a smaller independent wouldn't have stood much of a chance either.

The way things are atm, with everything going through the roof margins are very thin.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top