Topic ID 1824
What do people think is the most un-needed and/or obscure shop in Hertford? I personally am amazed the Dive shop (Bull Plain) survives in Hertford - they must be doing something right?![:p]
Reply ID 22965
I think niche and specialist shops have a market beyond the the town. Can you think of a dive shop anywhere else?
Reply ID 22966
Yeah places like Stevenage, St Albans have Dive shops I'm sure. It just seems when shops like Wiggintons and Pearces struggle/close it amazes me that these little, slightly obscure shops survive; especially when there are alternatives in larger towns like the above mentioned.
Reply ID 22967
Much of the dive shop income will come from club membership rather than shop sales. I have taken a PADI refresher course a couple of times with them and they appear to have quite an active club.
Reply ID 22968
The Dive shop in Hertford is the sole provider of diving instruction and classes to the Mark Warner holiday company as well as others holiday companies i believe. Its a lot more than a retail shop-front.
Reply ID 22969
No other nominations for obsure shops then? I would also nominate the Oster Bar - if it ever appears [:p]
Reply ID 22980
quote:Actually Sarak I don't think it will. There are other more mundane plans afoot. Not yet confirmed but as for oysters and champagne i think not.
No other nominations for obsure shops then? I would also nominate the Oster Bar - if it ever appears
Reply ID 22981
What's that place called? You know where I mean - by the whatsit, near thingummies? Seriously though, I would have thought that if any of the shops in Hertford were un-needed they would have closed down for lack of trade by now. I can think of one or two places that I personally wouldn't miss - but that would be a seperate topic!
Reply ID 22984
quote:Absolutely, as we are aware with the changing of ownershop of some shops. Sarah, places like the Dive shop have a whole business not just the retail outlet and this is often neccesary for the rest of the activities. It must work if it's been here so long.
Originally posted by Deveraux
What's that place called? You know where I mean - by the whatsit, near thingummies? Seriously though, I would have thought that if any of the shops in Hertford were un-needed they would have closed down for lack of trade by now. I can think of one or two places that I personally wouldn't miss - but that would be a seperate topic!
Reply ID 22988
quote:I was nominating the Dive shop as obscure not 'un-needed', and I agree well done to them for surviving in Hertford it can't be easy (another subject[:p] ).
Originally posted by Tigger Absolutely, as we are aware with the changing of ownershop of some shops. Sarah, places like the Dive shop have a whole business not just the retail outlet and this is often neccesary for the rest of the activities. It must work if it's been here so long.
Reply ID 22990
quote:Why don't you go and see them!! You might get offered a cup of tea, a dive course, dive membership (which is not the main source of income - I've just asked the friendly shopkeeper who is now letting me use his computer to log on), t-shirts, dive equipment, all manner of stuff. Club drinks are first Wednesday of the month in the front bar of the Salisbury, perhaps you can ask for a run down of their business model.. [:D]
Originally posted by ~Sarah~
What do people think is the most un-needed and/or obscure shop in Hertford? I personally am amazed the Dive shop (Bull Plain) survives in Hertford - they must be doing something right?![:p]
Reply ID 22995
The Dive Shop does so well because it provides goods and services to local enthusiasts as well s those from further afield. It is a niche market and a very popular one, both for diving in this country and in more exotic climates. Wiggintons, whilst having become a landmark and institution for many years, is not a niche market, there being many shops like it in every town.
Reply ID 23015
The Spanish property shop opposite Castle Hall always strikes me as a bit niche and has stayed around longer than I would have expected
Reply ID 23022
Take another look Leo - it closed a few weeks ago!
Reply ID 23026
thought that it wouldn't last long - the only time I saw anyone in there was on their opening night...
Reply ID 23030
Bit of an eyesore on such a prime site i always thought
Reply ID 23048
quote:People will travel to visit specific shops - the famous example of this is IKEA, but it equally applies to small specialist shops.
Originally posted by ~Sarah~
What do people think is the most un-needed and/or obscure shop in Hertford? I personally am amazed the Dive shop (Bull Plain) survives in Hertford - they must be doing something right?![:p]
Reply ID 23053
Not just niche shops that struggle in Hertford. M&S not a busy as you would expect so soon after opening. Fore Street (where my Mortgage Brokerage - fees free - no apologies for advert - is) remains very quiet. Has anyone ever seen such a quiet COUNTY TOWN on a a SATURDAY? This week was like a ghost town.
Reply ID 23058
quote:...the first Saturday in August, one of the busiest travel and holiday weekends of the year. I wonder what it was like in Hoddesdon then! [:D]
Originally posted by David Yates
This week was like a ghost town.
Reply ID 23059
Fair point, but if everyone was away then why was 'rock the castle' so busy on Sunday? (I think this is now off the point - my fault - maybe start another string)
Reply ID 23060
quote:Point taken
Originally posted by David Yates
...then why was 'rock the castle' so busy on Sunday?
Reply ID 23106
quote:Oops [:I]
Take another look Leo - it closed a few weeks ago!