Topic ID 5114
M&Co had big red "Closing sale" signs up. Another one going...
Reply ID 72301
no great surprise; I had a bet on with my wife they'd close.. I win :) Although i did extend that to the whole company, not just the hertford one, hmm..
Reply ID 72302
It was mentioned elsewhere that the large unit was for rent so it had to be them really...........
Reply ID 72304
The writing on the wall for m&co for me was in welwyn, during the january sales, we were genuinely the only people in there, whereas john lewis etc were so busy we had to queue to get in the lift. Says it all! If you can't get the people in for a sale, then you're in big trouble in retail!
Reply ID 72305
As I posted before, why didn't they put a mensware department in there when they started? Apart from Matalan, they wouldn't have had much competition in Hertford at that end of the market, surely? What an earth did that shop-fitting exercise cost for so little time in residence? I bet their shareholders would be pleased to know...
Reply ID 72307
They have managed to pass on the lease to someone else I believe so another shop will be appearing pretty soon. No ideas what though.
Reply ID 72308
quote:Coffee Shop?[:D]
Originally posted by Bubbaoshea
They have managed to pass on the lease to someone else I believe so another shop will be appearing pretty soon. No ideas what though.
Reply ID 72309
I hear Starbucks are looking to expand....
Reply ID 72310
Not at all surprised. Always empty and never anyone buying in there. I hope that we get a decent shop in its place...
Reply ID 72320
Drama queen and I both quoted: http://www.herald24.co.uk/news/another_shop_on_the_way_out_of_hertford_1_118638?utm_medium=twitter&utm_source=twitterfeed
Reply ID 72321
quote:Lazy journalism. The quotes make up the best part of the story. Paul Christian should be ashamed.
Originally posted by codek2
Drama queen and I both quoted: http://www.herald24.co.uk/news/another_shop_on_the_way_out_of_hertford_1_118638?utm_medium=twitter&utm_source=twitterfeed
Reply ID 72324
I hope Admin gets paid for all the quotes they use, should at least get a mention on where the forum is then no one would need the paper![:D]
Reply ID 72327
quote:I heard a conversation that Primark and Poundland are interested. [:0]
Originally posted by Bubbaoshea
They have managed to pass on the lease to someone else I believe so another shop will be appearing pretty soon. No ideas what though.
Reply ID 72330
quote:Good. Some people might knock Primark but in retail terms it is just what is needed in that area.
Originally posted by Dell Boyquote:I heard a conversation that Primark and Poundland are interested. [:0]
Originally posted by Bubbaoshea
They have managed to pass on the lease to someone else I believe so another shop will be appearing pretty soon. No ideas what though.
Reply ID 72332
quote:Too small for either, surely.
Originally posted by Dell Boy
I heard a conversation that Primark and Poundland are interested. [:0]
Reply ID 72337
quote:The death knell of the high street: charity shops and El Cheapo stores. Betting shops to follow the death rattle.
Originally posted by Dell Boyquote:I heard a conversation that Primark and Poundland are interested. [:0]
Originally posted by Bubbaoshea
They have managed to pass on the lease to someone else I believe so another shop will be appearing pretty soon. No ideas what though.
Reply ID 72338
Ooo it's like back to the 1980's. Supa-shop should open there, selling cheap sweets - maybe get diddy David Hamilton in to open it up! Hertford has been through this all before in the last big recession, it will come back out the otherside again in time Always look on the bright side of life de de de de de ... [8D]
Reply ID 72339
quote:Darn, should have said something more quotable...
Originally posted by codek2
Drama queen and I both quoted: http://www.herald24.co.uk/news/another_shop_on_the_way_out_of_hertford_1_118638?utm_medium=twitter&utm_source=twitterfeed
Reply ID 72342
Am I bovvered? [:D]
Reply ID 72344
quote:[img]http://www.smilies-and-more.de/pics/smilies/laughing/181.gif[/img]*J*
Originally posted by Kitty Kat
Am I bovvered? [:D]
Reply ID 72345
I'd never heard of the shop! And didn't even know where it was even though using Waitrose...... Why does Hertford seem unable to attract a better class of shop?
Reply ID 72347
Rent/rate prices probably.....
Reply ID 72348
Now, where do i start to charge for my forum posts now I have my "5 minutes of fame" as Andy Warhol said we'd all have ??? [:D] Now where's my limo????
Reply ID 72350
what the low end shops are able to afford the high end rent?
Reply ID 72353
I hope it is a Primark! Hertford has a lack of good cheap clothes shops. New look is ok if your 16, Matalan if you are 60[:D]
Reply ID 72354
quote:Seems so yes; poundland have been expanding very quickly recently, and doing very well out of it. Of course; Once the recovery returns, they'll collapse and die!
Originally posted by fletch
what the low end shops are able to afford the high end rent?
Reply ID 72363
We met a bloke looking to rent the old Starfish shop to turn into a barbers. He was stunned to discover that retail rents were cheaper in Enfield.
Reply ID 72364
A barbers!!!! We don't need anymore hair/beauty related outlets
Reply ID 72365
quote:well, you won't get one as he promptly gave up on Hertford! Other chats have revealed that where companies have stores elsewhere (Coles, M&Co, Books@ etc) they are closing the Hertford branches only due to poor trade in Hertford. I say again: a town gets what it is willing to spend money on. For Hertford it is salons, florists, alcohol and estate agents. And supermarkets!
Originally posted by fletch
A barbers!!!! We don't need anymore hair/beauty related outlets
Reply ID 72391
quote:Yes it has but I think with lots more out of Town Retail Parks, Shopping centres and internet shopping it will be a lot harder to come back this time after the recession, peoples shopping habits are changing its not just the recession that is killing Town Centres.
Originally posted by Kitty Kat
Ooo it's like back to the 1980's. Supa-shop should open there, selling cheap sweets - maybe get diddy David Hamilton in to open it up! Hertford has been through this all before in the last big recession, it will come back out the otherside again in time Always look on the bright side of life de de de de de ... [8D]
Reply ID 72395
quote:Think you left out Coffee Shops...................one florist closed and another is up for sale / rent or at least it was. M&Co is quite a big unit so not sure what would be viable in there these days, it has had quite a turnover of various types of shop in its time.
Originally posted by Mr Pquote:well, you won't get one as he promptly gave up on Hertford! Other chats have revealed that where companies have stores elsewhere (Coles, M&Co, Books@ etc) they are closing the Hertford branches only due to poor trade in Hertford. I say again: a town gets what it is willing to spend money on. For Hertford it is salons, florists, alcohol and estate agents. And supermarkets!
Originally posted by fletch
A barbers!!!! We don't need anymore hair/beauty related outlets
Reply ID 72396
Why do we not have any MAJOR high street brands....?
Reply ID 72397
We don't have any major chains, except for Monsoon, New Look and WH Smiths as the units are not large enough to meet their minimum requirements, we do not have enough foot fall and they all exist within a 10 mile radius at either Welwyn Garden City, Brookfield Farm, Stevenage or Harlow. It would not be commercially viable for a big retailer to open a unit in Hertford.
Reply ID 72400
Foot fall only comes when there is the attraction to come to the town, this would come if we could bring a better standard of shopping in the town centre. I agree there are stores in surrounding towns but look across the country these shops usually appear in most major towns (no matter how close others stores are).
Reply ID 72401
It's always been the same in Hertford - I have lived here since the 1970's (god I'm old!) and this question has been raised a million times. Why as a county town do we not have big name stores? Why can't the council do something to encourage them to come? Why can't the council open its eyes and see that their parking policy is killing the town? Why can't they drop the rates, offer rate free periods etc etc? Some things never change my friend, and probably never will!
Reply ID 72406
quote:Spot on.............
Originally posted by Kitty Kat
It's always been the same in Hertford - I have lived here since the 1970's (god I'm old!) and this question has been raised a million times. Why as a county town do we not have big name stores? Why can't the council do something to encourage them to come? Why can't the council open its eyes and see that their parking policy is killing the town? Why can't they drop the rates, offer rate free periods etc etc? Some things never change my friend, and probably never will!
Reply ID 72407
quote:The District Council don't see this as part of their role. However, I believe the Town Council are active in this area.
Originally posted by Kitty Kat
Why can't the council do something to encourage them to come?
quote:Because they're blind to anything outside council "policy". They refuse to acknowledge the part played by parking charges in the wider picture. They are focussed solely on using car parks as a revenue stream.
Originally posted by Kitty Kat
Why can't the council open its eyes and see that their parking policy is killing the town?
quote:Because that would require a change in "policy" and could have an impact on revenue. IMHO the District Council do not see themselves as having any role in the local economy. The views and needs of local residents and businesses come a poor second to council policy and budget requirements. You only have to look at reports from the last Full Council meeting to appreciate this.
Originally posted by Kitty Kat
Why can't they drop the rates, offer rate free periods etc etc?
Reply ID 72409
How would you run the rates free scheme? Would you just offer it on the vacant properties?
Reply ID 72410
quote:Other national chains include Boots, Halfords, Greggs, Martins, Coop Pharmacy, Waitrose, F Hinds, OddBins, Millets. But as others have said, we are too near other larger centres. Just because we are county town does not give us any special retail status, Hertford is a 25K population commuter town with, I suspect, a higher than average level of internet shopping use and mobility.
Originally posted by Kitty Kat
We don't have any major chains, except for Monsoon, New Look and WH Smiths as the units are not large enough to meet their minimum requirements, we do not have enough foot fall and they all exist within a 10 mile radius at either Welwyn Garden City, Brookfield Farm, Stevenage or Harlow. It would not be commercially viable for a big retailer to open a unit in Hertford.
Reply ID 72417
quote:Because I expect the Council dont want Hertford to become a Clone Town, they probably would like Hertford to remain as a commuter Town with its own individuality and they try to encourage young professional white collar workers from the City to live here, if they had it there way I think they would like to ban children from living in Hertford aswell. [;)]
Originally posted by Kitty Kat
It's always been the same in Hertford - I have lived here since the 1970's (god I'm old!) and this question has been raised a million times. Why as a county town do we not have big name stores? Why can't the council do something to encourage them to come? Why can't the council open its eyes and see that their parking policy is killing the town? Why can't they drop the rates, offer rate free periods etc etc? Some things never change my friend, and probably never will!
Reply ID 72424
With McDonalds, Coles and M&Co gone we now have 3 larger units which could take some larger stores - and that might be enough to tip the balance.
Reply ID 72431
Maccy D's has been empty for at least 3 years hasn't it? I don't even know why they left - it always seemed to be busy.
Reply ID 72434
quote:It closed because it wasn't making any money. I certainly don't remember it being that busy.
Originally posted by thefair1973
Maccy D's has been empty for at least 3 years hasn't it? I don't even know why they left - it always seemed to be busy.
Reply ID 72439
quote:What about Next ? They have a very busy store in epping, which is as far from Harlow as we are, and it's much smaller than the premesis that M&Co currently have.
Originally posted by Kitty Kat
We don't have any major chains, except for Monsoon, New Look and WH Smiths as the units are not large enough to meet their minimum requirements, we do not have enough foot fall and they all exist within a 10 mile radius at either Welwyn Garden City, Brookfield Farm, Stevenage or Harlow. It would not be commercially viable for a big retailer to open a unit in Hertford.
Reply ID 72513
I was wondering the same thing about Next - so I asked them, and this is what they said: Thank you for your recent email regarding the possibility of Next opening a store in Hertford. Currently, we feel that Hertford’s proximity to our stores in Welwyn, Cheshunt and Harlow means it does not justify a store of its own. However, we are constantly looking for new store opportunities, and customer feedback plays an important role in the decisions that we make, and so I have forwarded your comments on to our Retail Sales Directors, for their reference and future consideration. I think a Next would be great for Hertford.
Reply ID 72516
quote:I think this is the response that you will get from many high street chains. I'm surprised that they mention Cheshunt but not Stevenage, although I wonder if they mean Brookfield Farm.
Originally posted by Montgomery
I was wondering the same thing about Next - so I asked them, and this is what they said: Thank you for your recent email regarding the possibility of Next opening a store in Hertford. Currently, we feel that Hertford’s proximity to our stores in Welwyn, Cheshunt and Harlow means it does not justify a store of its own. However, we are constantly looking for new store opportunities, and customer feedback plays an important role in the decisions that we make, and so I have forwarded your comments on to our Retail Sales Directors, for their reference and future consideration. I think a Next would be great for Hertford.
Reply ID 72517
Can we have the e-mail contact for Next so we can bombard them with "customer feedback"? A Next would be brilliant
Reply ID 72524
Good idea. The M&Co unit is not that small as I worked there when it was Eastern Electricity, many years ago and it is slightly bigger now, as at some point there was an extension, into what was Index catalogue shop as I remember.
Reply ID 72528
I would love next or River Island... They cater for the men as well as the ladies and I feel the gents are served well with clothes shops. Again, like KK said, we've heard the same old story for years about retailers not coming into Hertford due to proximity to other places. I don't buy that I think the rates and the parking are much more the problem and I think to keep it a "small" town the Council probably discourage rather than encourage to keep traffic etc down. But as we can all see the number of shops closed or closing is the high price you pay....
Reply ID 72536
you must be joking? gents served well, in hertford? I can't think of anywhere i'd buy clothes in hertford! Women on the other hand are served far better in the town.
Reply ID 72541
I think we would all shop elsewhere if we were looking for clothes. The women's shops are either for the under 17's , over 60s or the very rich and slim. The great thing about a store like Next is that it would cater for men, women and children too.
Reply ID 72543
forget the "not" in gents NOT served well... Sorry, I had a senior moment on my keyboard.. The gents are definitely not served well... Hence River Island & Next would offer them a shop they might like to shop in.. sorry !!![xx(]
Reply ID 72588
The email from Next came from Keith Hodge - [email protected] although he did say he was going to pass it on the the Retail Sales Directors. It might not hurt for a few people to drop them a line.
Reply ID 72613
Diageo might be a better option to suggest a solution. They own the shopping centre after all.
Reply ID 72615
quote:I'm sorry James 007 and any 1 else please don't take an offence to this but it always makes me laugh when people refer Bircherley Green as a shopping centre. I do hope that Next or something similar move into the Town but I dont think so. [:(] http://www.bircherleygreen.co.uk/
Originally posted by James007
Diageo might be a better option to suggest a solution. They own the shopping centre after all.
Reply ID 72640
quote:According to the lady in the lift from the car park it is a "shopping mall" that has always made me laugh!
Originally posted by Dell Boyquote:I'm sorry James 007 and any 1 else please don't take an offence to this but it always makes me laugh when people refer Bircherley Green as a shopping centre. I do hope that Next or something similar move into the Town but I dont think so. [:(] http://www.bircherleygreen.co.uk/
Originally posted by James007
Diageo might be a better option to suggest a solution. They own the shopping centre after all.
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