Topic ID 6422
I see from today's Mercury a new shop is open / opening in Bull Plain I think it is waht was formerly Hart's haberdashers as I noticed shop fitteres in there on Tuesday and wondered what was coming. .............Another sweet shop...................
Reply ID 86250
... and shake bar. Whilst it's good news that an empty shop unit is going to be filled, you have to wonder at the business acumen of some people. In a town with two existing sweet shops plus a W.H.Smith, why would you open a shop selling something that is already over-catered for? It's not a small retail unit either, so the rent's going to be quite an overhead.
Reply ID 86256
Given that Mootiliscious didn't last long, it seems a bit bonkers
Reply ID 86259
quote:.... which is now to be an antiques shop in Honey Lane.
Originally posted by Kitty Kat
Given that Mootiliscious didn't last long, it seems a bit bonkers
Reply ID 86267
quote:..and it's a franchise operation, too, with all the associated costs that that entails (http://www.sugacane.co.uk)
Originally posted by Steve
... and shake bar. Whilst it's good news that an empty shop unit is going to be filled, you have to wonder at the business acumen of some people. In a town with two existing sweet shops plus a W.H.Smith, why would you open a shop selling something that is already over-catered for? It's not a small retail unit either, so the rent's going to be quite an overhead.
Reply ID 86269
It's okay. They are just down the road from the dentist.
Reply ID 86270
Rather them than me ......... YOUR COMMITMENT To become a SugaCane franchisee you will need an initial investment of approximately £50k (dependent on size of store, location and condition of premises). which will cover: Franchise Fee £14,995 To Include: Store design; help with locating suitable property; a 5 year business plan; pre-launch marketing campaign; post-launch marketing campaign; training & accommodation. Stock £10,000 Based on a store of approximately 800 sq ft Shop Fit-out approximately £20,000 In most cases we are able to source high street locations with good foot-fall. The fitting out cost will depend on the overalll condition of the premises at the time of occupation. Working Capital £5,000 We have developed good working relationships with the top 5 high street banks, and havean excellent track record with Lloyds and NatWest. Financing will be subject to individual status, and the banks are willing to lend between 50% - 70% of capital, however they are looking for a commitment from you of 30% of the total investment. Example: on a capital requirement of £40,000 you will need to have £12,000 of liquid cash available. There are also several funding and leasing schemes available that can be tailored to suit the individual project.
Reply ID 86271
quote:That's a pretty big outlay to start selling sweets.
Originally posted by Mr fixit
Rather them than me ......... YOUR COMMITMENT To become a SugaCane franchisee you will need an initial investment of approximately £50k (dependent on size of store, location and condition of premises). which will cover: Franchise Fee £14,995 To Include: Store design; help with locating suitable property; a 5 year business plan; pre-launch marketing campaign; post-launch marketing campaign; training & accommodation. Stock £10,000 Based on a store of approximately 800 sq ft Shop Fit-out approximately £20,000 In most cases we are able to source high street locations with good foot-fall. The fitting out cost will depend on the overalll condition of the premises at the time of occupation. Working Capital £5,000 We have developed good working relationships with the top 5 high street banks, and havean excellent track record with Lloyds and NatWest. Financing will be subject to individual status, and the banks are willing to lend between 50% - 70% of capital, however they are looking for a commitment from you of 30% of the total investment. Example: on a capital requirement of £40,000 you will need to have £12,000 of liquid cash available. There are also several funding and leasing schemes available that can be tailored to suit the individual project.
Reply ID 86273
Lets wish them luck! It is a big move for anyone to set up a business in these economic times and it is good for the town that another premises is not standing empty.
Reply ID 86278
quote:Yes, you'll need it..
Originally posted by Roddy
Lets wish them luck!
Reply ID 86279
Why all the negativity? I hope both of the new enterprises will be successful.
Reply ID 86281
quote:Firstly, it's not all negativity. What negativity there is is based on the fact that neither offers anything new and the viability of both are questionable. What's also worrying is that an oversupply in any given sector can spread the market so thinly that everyone suffers. Now that we have Sugacane in a prime location, will this force Deadly Sins to shut? A new business in one location can cause the loss of another elsewhere. On the plus side, both are filling empty retail units and providing employment. Let's hope they are sustainable.
Originally posted by elcartero
Why all the negativity?
Reply ID 86283
quote:For the record, I do not own that particular business. This forum is read by a lot of people from within Hertford and by others that may be considering bringing a business into the town. It would be lovely to read that whom ever has opened what ever business located where ever in the town and that they are WELCOMED into the town. What would people prefer, to support and promote their local businesses or to watch their town slowly die as is happening across the UK? Apologies for the little rant on only my second post, but I do feel that people should show a little bit of positivity towards those that are only trying to support your town...and yes, I am one of those people looking to open a new branch of my business in the town (not nails, hair or coffee related before that is asked)!
Originally posted by Mr fixitquote:Yes, you'll need it..
Originally posted by Roddy
Lets wish them luck!
Reply ID 86285
quote:What is it then?
Apologies for the little rant on only my second post, but I do feel that people should show a little bit of positivity towards those that are only trying to support your town...and yes, I am one of those people looking to open a new branch of my business in the town (not nails, hair or coffee related before that is asked)!
Reply ID 86286
quote:I will be running classes on positivity and optimism!! Only joking...still early stages will let you all know when things are more in place. I spent many happy years as a kid on the river and looking forwards to being involved in a town and county that holds so many happy memories for me.
Originally posted by Mr fixitquote:What is it then?
Apologies for the little rant on only my second post, but I do feel that people should show a little bit of positivity towards those that are only trying to support your town...and yes, I am one of those people looking to open a new branch of my business in the town (not nails, hair or coffee related before that is asked)!
Reply ID 86289
Wish you well in your new venture Roddy
Reply ID 86293
Best of luck from me too - to the new retail units and whatever Roddy may have planned. Its a tough world out there at the moment and Hertford needs all the support it can get.
Reply ID 86294
Good luck to all concerned, running a retail business in Hertford is tough going. Been there, done that, got the t-shirt!
Reply ID 86323
Good luck to Sugarcane and anyone else who opens a shop in Hertford or anywhere these days. There is so much competition from out of town and the internet it is not easy wherever you are or whatever you sell. I wonder if they are hoping there will be more passing trade in Bull Plain when Sainsbury's open? They may be thinking people will walk that way?
Reply ID 86324
I also think that the landlords of the empty shops should reduce their rates....surly a shop paying a little is better than an empty shop paying nothing! Also better for hertfords high street!!
Reply ID 86336
I popped in there yesterday with my GF, i am now currently sucking on a load of sweets from them. Wasn't the other sweet shop up for sale not so long ago? Good Luck to them and I will be in again soon.
Reply ID 86363
I popped in to Sugarcane yesterday with my mate's two kiddies, one aged 6, the other 9. I personally do not really have a sweet tooth anymore so cannot really comment although the smell and the selection is amazing, lots of sweets from my childhood and some I have never heard of (sherbert bubble gum??). Anyways, critique from the children - best sweet shop ever! Even their Dad (who has a sweet tooth) thought that it is very good, staff very attentive bearing in mind it is half term and was packed. Good luck to the people who run it; A bold move which I hope will pay off. They have gained the 'weekly treat for the kids' money from my mate who has well and truly been backed into a 'Saturday Treat' corner by his own kids now (with the help of me goading them [:p]) Nice addition to the town, even though I didn't actually spend any money. [:)]
Reply ID 86381
I popped in this afternoon with my son who was......hopping around like a kid in a candy shop! What an excellent selection of sweets and candy etc. We spent a good 10 mins or so selecting brains, lizards, mice, snakes, shrimps etc etc.....and were pleasantly surprised on the cost.... What with all the sweets, the shakes and the ice cream selection, I have more chance of burning my arse on a snowball than not returning. One downside....does anyone know how to peel a 6 year old off of the ceiling?
Reply ID 86383
Lol Victor, still trying to get mine down. We went in there yesterday, re cost we took our pic n mix to the cinema with us. 36p per 100g cheaper in Sugarcane. Yes, will def be going back
Reply ID 86384
quote:The only thing you can't buy cheaper at the cinema are the tickets themselves. Sweets are a rip off, as are soft drinks, nachos and even popcorn. At Hatfield I'm even cynical about whether the drinks dispenser 50ft from the cinema entrance that sells bottled water for £1 a bottle is genuinely out of order, or just conveniently so to ensure you spend over £2 a bottle for a similar product in the cinema.
Originally posted by minnie
Lol Victor, still trying to get mine down. We went in there yesterday, re cost we took our pic n mix to the cinema with us. 36p per 100g cheaper in Sugarcane. Yes, will def be going back
Reply ID 86392
To everyone that has been so positive about this business, thank you! As I have said, I do not have any involvement in it and my only personal experience of it was thinking that the premises would suit my needs perfectly (the shopfitters were in at the time)! With so much in the press at the moment of town centres dying, we all need to support the small businesses that are opening and running that goes to make each town centre unique and vibrant.
Reply ID 86393
quote:It certainly has the thumbs up from my son and his friends.
Originally posted by Roddy
To everyone that has been so positive about this business, thank you! As I have said, I do not have any involvement in it and my only personal experience of it was thinking that the premises would suit my needs perfectly (the shopfitters were in at the time)! With so much in the press at the moment of town centres dying, we all need to support the small businesses that are opening and running that goes to make each town centre unique and vibrant.
Reply ID 94966
18 months later and I notice that Candy Cane is still trading. I guess the proprietors must have some business acumen as they appear to have a regular flow of customers in all weathers.
Reply ID 94967
Yes they are very nice people and also do sweet cards for functions, children's parties etc so not just the shop customers. It does mean they have to work 7 days a week though!