Topic ID 5882
Had noticed recently that Alworths in Maidenhead St, formerly Woolworths, had removed some shelving and stock seemed depleted. Heard today that the shop is closing down. Another empty shop in Maidenhead St.?
Reply ID 80324
Could be some truth in that. http://www.mcvuk.com/news/43349/Troubling-times-for-Alworths
Reply ID 80325
The explanation I was given by a member of staff was that they were "changing suppliers", although I treat that with some sceptisism.
Reply ID 80330
Sign on the till says the company has gone into receivership. Hopefully Andy Latham's new outfit can buy [back] the chain.
Reply ID 80365
that didnt last long then? Mind you, every time I've been in, it was full of junk anyway. It wasn't much better than the market stall that was in there previously
Reply ID 80367
quote:Ok, it wasn't top of the range, but I venture to suggest that it was a lot better than the previous place, and certainly better than having yet another empty shop.
Originally posted by thefair1973
that didnt last long then? Mind you, every time I've been in, it was full of junk anyway. It wasn't much better than the market stall that was in there previously
Reply ID 80369
I agree with Buzz it was never supposed to be top of the range but at least it is/was clean tidy and you could see what was there without tripping over boxes.
Reply ID 80372
I don’t know what the future for the Hertford store is but the Llandudno store was seized by bailiffs on Monday for failure to pay the rent.
Reply ID 80373
quote:That was on Monday 7th March, over three weeks ago. The store re-opened two days later on Wednesday 9th.
Originally posted by Eyeone
I don’t know what the future for the Hertford store is but the Llandudno store was seized by bailiffs on Monday for failure to pay the rent.
Reply ID 80374
quote:Theres a nice empty unit opposite Alworths so why not put your hand in your pocket and do something better? Didn't think so. My shop was never liked by some on this forum but we had many regular customers, most of which were disappointed when we had to leave. I enjoyed my year there, we only moved out as we were given notice by the landlord because Alworths were coming in. quote: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Originally posted by Marilyn I agree with Buzz it was never supposed to be top of the range but at least it is/was clean tidy and you could see what was there without tripping over boxes. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Marilyn I'm guessing you work from home and I doubt you pay any business rates so maybe you should try opening a shop with over £30,000 a year business rates payable and maybe then you wont be so quick to pick holes in other peoples businesses.
Originally posted by thefair1973
that didnt last long then? Mind you, every time I've been in, it was full of junk anyway. It wasn't much better than the market stall that was in there previously
Reply ID 80377
I dont think anyone is saying they could do better. Some peoples view is just that the range and quality of produce is weak and that they are not surprised it failed/failing, especially when, as you reminded us, how expensive rates are and that a lot of the items are already available at that Greetings shop between Prezzo and The Suntan shop. Everyone has differing levels of risk/reward and I commend people who follow their dreams, for me this never quite made sense.
Reply ID 80393
Popped in today and cashier said they were only told on Monday that they are going to close but she did not know when that would be.[:(]
Reply ID 80396
quote:Can Admin put WS on the end to round it up properly
Originally posted by Steve
I'm not sure it's a good idea to use your email address as your user name
Reply ID 80397
I went in there yesterday and was asked for my email address or phone number, so they could email or text me their latest offers, perhaps no-one had told this assistant that closure is on its way!!
Reply ID 80403
quote:Perhaps a phoenix will rise from the ashes. I see that the "variety" store in Bircherley Green opposite Waitrose is also closing.
Originally posted by suemay
I went in there yesterday and was asked for my email address or phone number, so they could email or text me their latest offers, perhaps no-one had told this assistant that closure is on its way!!
Reply ID 80598
I have just been informed that Pound Land is interested in the store now.
Reply ID 80602
Which one, Alworths or the one near Waitrose?
Reply ID 80603
quote:Alworths.
Originally posted by MrsG
Which one, Alworths or the one near Waitrose?
Reply ID 80618
Poundland, Excellent - Nothing better than having one of them in the Town Centre. Makes me proud to live in Hertford!
Reply ID 80619
quote:Me too (and I'm not being ironic), a useful shop selling many useful goods at a good price, just what is needed to bring people into the town centre.
Originally posted by jim72
Poundland, Excellent - Nothing better than having one of them in the Town Centre. Makes me proud to live in Hertford!
Reply ID 80620
Andrew, I agree with you. Although Alworths did not quite come up to Woolworths range I know that several shopkeepers noticed an increase in footfall when Alworths opened. Poundland may not be to every ones taste but they are not just traders in cheap tat but sell branded products at low prices. I for one would welcome them if it prevents yet another shop-standing empty for months.
Reply ID 80622
Bring it on! Yes they sell a pile of toot but they also sell odds and sods that are handy. Can't think of a better retailer to encourage footfall.
Reply ID 80623
Interesting article over at RETAIL WEEK about the viability of variety stores ... [url="http://www.retail-week.com/a-z/woolworths/where-next-for-the-sons-of-woolworths/5024376.article"]Where next for the sons of Woolworths? (from Retail Week)[/url]
Reply ID 80624
Interesting article over at RETAIL WEEK about the viability of variety stores ... http://www.retail-week.com/a-z/woolworths/where-next-for-the-sons-of-woolworths/5024376.article I can't afford the £299 subscription fee to get access to that article! [V]
Reply ID 80625
quote:Steve - you will need to copy and paste as it needs subscription.
Originally posted by Steve
Interesting article over at RETAIL WEEK about the viability of variety stores ... [url="http://www.retail-week.com/a-z/woolworths/where-next-for-the-sons-of-woolworths/5024376.article"]Where next for the sons of Woolworths? (from Retail Week)[/url]
Reply ID 80627
[url="http://www.hertfordshiremercury.co.uk/Home/Poundland-to-create-2000-jobs-65103.xnf?BodyFormat=2&"]The Mercury article[/url]
Reply ID 80632
quote:That's funny. I know that most of RW is subscriber only, but when I visited the article it was shown in full. As you rightly point out, that is not the case now. I managed to find a cached copy which I've uploaded as a PDF. [url="http://www.retail-week.com/a-z/woolworths/where-next-for-the-sons-of-woolworths/5024376.article"]Where next for the sons of Woolworths? (from Retail Week)[/url]
Originally posted by James007quote:Steve - you will need to copy and paste as it needs subscription.
Originally posted by Steve
Interesting article over at RETAIL WEEK about the viability of variety stores ... [url="http://www.retail-week.com/a-z/woolworths/where-next-for-the-sons-of-woolworths/5024376.article"]Where next for the sons of Woolworths? (from Retail Week)[/url]
Reply ID 80857
I have heard from a fairly high level source that Pound Stretcher ( not Poundland) are showing great interest in the premises.
Reply ID 81037
Pounstretcher buys 15 out of 17 Alworths stores (Hertford is one of them) http://www.propertyweek.com/news/news-by-sector/retail/poundstretcher-buys-15-alworths-stores-out-of-administration/5017740.article
Reply ID 81038
quote:I can't see the Hertford branch mentioned in this story, but it's certainly listed on the Retail Week site and at http://www.propertyweek.com/news/news-by-sector/retail/poundstretcher-buys-15-alworths-stores-out-of-administration/5017740.article Good news indeed.
Originally posted by Andrew
Pounstretcher buys 15 out of 17 Alworths stores (Hertford is one of them) http://www.propertyweek.com/news/news-by-sector/retail/poundstretcher-buys-15-alworths-stores-out-of-administration/5017740.article
Reply ID 81071
quote:Good news, yes, but, as the article says: The fact remains, of course, that Poundstretcher is itself a lossmaking business. Back in July, I remarked that Poundstretcher’s parent company had racked up total pre-tax losses of more than £33m across the previous four years, and Retail Week has subsequently argued that the chain faces an “uphill struggle” to compete against “an impressive array of apparently more sophisticated and profitable value players.” But if it fills that nasty hole in Maidenhead Street... ...now, what about old McD?
Originally posted by Stevequote:I can't see the Hertford branch mentioned in this story, but it's certainly listed on the Retail Week site and at http://www.propertyweek.com/news/news-by-sector/retail/poundstretcher-buys-15-alworths-stores-out-of-administration/5017740.article Good news indeed.
Originally posted by Andrew
Pounstretcher buys 15 out of 17 Alworths stores (Hertford is one of them) http://www.propertyweek.com/news/news-by-sector/retail/poundstretcher-buys-15-alworths-stores-out-of-administration/5017740.article