A long established local business in Newbury has ceased trading. Travel agents Windsor & Neate closed their doors for the last time on Thursday (20th August). The business traded from 107 Bartholomew Street, and had been established in Newbury since 1886.
At the other end of Newbury, the Clock Tower pub in the Broadway closed down last Monday (17th August). The continuing roadworks in Northbrook Street and more recently the upheaval caused by the Broadway enhancement scheme are believed to be responsible for the closure.
The sewer works in Northbrook Street are expected to continue well into September and the Broadway enhancement scheme is expected to complete by November 16th, in time for the switching on of the Christmas lights.
Elsewhere in the town, the fire damaged unit belonging to Ernest Jones the jewellers has been refurbished and is expected to reopen early in September. The old Woolworths unit in Northbrook Street remains empty, but rumours still persist that Wilkinson will be the new tenants.
On the Retail Park at Pinchington Lane, the old Roseby’s unit is being refitted and will be occupied by Peacocks, opening their second outlet in the town.
Retail Chairman Brian Burgess commented that he was expecting all roadworks in and around the town to be completed in time for Christmas. Last years Christmas trade was devastated by the overrunning roadworks on the Robin Hood Roundabout. He said “There is a dogged determination on the part of the Newbury retailers to survive. Even with the imposition of major road works and road closures that overrun by months rather than weeks. A swingeing increase in parking charges by a massive 25% and a Gestapo like regime of Civil Enforcement Officers (The Green Meanies) determined to extract every penny from motorists who dare to infringe even minor parking regulations.”
I can't see the various roadworks effecting Windsor & Neate too badly - competition from the internet must be devastating for any travel agent (I can't remember when I last went into one).
Nor can the roadworks have really spelt the end for the Clockie, its been struggling for years - the Broadway revamp was probably its best hope for survival but came too late. Hopefully someone will take it on and make a go of it.
As for the 'green meanies' - its not the fact that parking laws are being enforced that is the problem, its the rapid extension of parking restrictions and charges over more and more parts of the town.
Seems a bit daft this, if what I think is happening is correct.
Administrator (i.e. Retail Chairman Brian Burgess) is reporting on what Retail Chairman Brian Burgess has said, in the third person.
One could go as far as saying it is as deliberately misleading as what is being reported.
Maybe the objective here is to just get people to comment; which he has achieved. As for truth; when has that ever got in the way of a good story. We are all free to corrective him if we like... as you have done.
Seems a bit daft this, if what I think is happening is correct.
Administrator (i.e. Retail Chairman Brian Burgess) is reporting on what Retail Chairman Brian Burgess has said, in the third person.
One could go as far as saying it is as deliberately misleading as what is being reported.
It does seem a bit strange but I don't know how else it could be reported. Should it be "I said" rather than "Brian Burgess said"? If you don't know the forum, how do you know who said it? You even had to put the description in brackets. Should Brian not be reporting anything he is involved in? In fact, does Brian even write the story or is it done elsewhere?
I don't think there is anything misleading with this story in relation to who was was reporting about who. In fact by not mentioning his name it could be construed as misleading!
I can't see the various roadworks effecting Windsor & Neate too badly - competition from the internet must be devastating for any travel agent (I can't remember when I last went into one).
I agree, although Thomas Cook seem to be doing quite well. Having said that, the report above suggests the roadworks caused the closure of the Clock Tower not Windsor & Neate. I suspect you have done what may have been intended though, think the roadworks apply to everything that closes down
.......although Thomas Cook seem to be doing quite well.
The thing about Thomas Cook is that it is an 'open' shop that the punter can just wander into and grab up the brochures without a commitment to a holiday or a booking and can come back later for that.
Windsor and Neate never really moved on from the 1950s and a visit to their shop was a little claustrophobic and was more for serious travellers who knew where they were going.
If you're talking about me, I didn't make an assumption, I made an assertion and said it might not be correct.
Why do you think that everything is about you, Jamoza used the word 'probably' as I quoted. But that said, I see no problem with Brian Burgess quoting himself as it gives a name to the person making the statement rather than just the anonymous administrator who could be anybody but may be Brian Burgess.
Why do you think that everything is about you, Jamoza used the word 'probably' as I quoted. But that said, I see no problem with Brian Burgess quoting himself as it gives a name to the person making the statement rather than just the anonymous administrator who could be anybody but may be Brian Burgess.
Must make interesting press conferences, him having to run back and forward between the press pit and the spokesperson's table. This is pretty much the definition of "conflict of interests".
Must make interesting press conferences, him having to run back and forward between the press pit and the spokesperson's table. This is pretty much the definition of "conflict of interests".
No, that isn't a conflict of interest. Running a news section personally is not that much different to local and national politicians using the media to promote their own news stories. I think it's called spin these days.
No, that isn't a conflict of interest. Running a news section personally is not that much different to local and national politicians using the media to promote their own news stories. I think it's called spin these days.
Nope. Using the media to promote their own news stories where there is some sort of objective editorial control and actually owning the media where there is none are very different.
Nope. Using the media to promote their own news stories where there is some sort of objective editorial control and actually owning the media where there is none are very different.
Would you explain how being an admin here 'conflicts' with being the head of the NRA?
My guess is Windsor & Neate grew tired of Newbury, not seeing much of a future to match their past......a sad demise,but lets hope someone has made the right decision,and can live with it.
A lot of business is done now 'on line' and people have not the need to go into the local travel agents. Also, like a lot of shops in Newbury they were probably finding it difficult what with the parking and other problems Newbury seems to have these days.
Reading this and other threads people would surely get the impression that it is difficult to find a parking space in Newbury - which it isn't. Okay the parking charges have risen to be as high as some local towns (though they have some way to go before they reach Reading levels), but I have never found it difficult to find a space.
Saturdays it is easy enough to park for free in the Bayer car park and, to be honest a bit of local knowledge and preparedness to walk a short distance means I haven't paid for parking very often (certainly less than once in every ten visits to town) - and I always park legally. I really only pay if I am going to collect something heavy and don't want to carry it far, or I am in a rush and need to be close to my destination.
I agree with blackdog, parking isn't a problem, unless you own a large car or van. The travel agent is likely to have been hit by market forces beyond the upheaval. For me, the big losers in this rape of Newbury, are the businesses that owned property within the CPO that have also been devalued by the recession.
The Clocky ceased to be a going concern when Mick left.
The CPO is a disgrace...the constant revaluations needed while you negotiate from a weakening position (ie they've all left the site now).
I hear there are more bullyboy tactics to come, because it's going to get interesting in the next 12 months. If there's no agreement, land prices will start rising after Debenhams open there, so it could be worth the while of the 6 firms left to settle to keep their powder dry.
I agree with blackdog, parking isn't a problem, unless you own a large car or van. The travel agent is likely to have been hit by market forces beyond the upheaval. For me, the big losers in this rape of Newbury, are the businesses that owned property within the CPO that have also been devalued by the recession.
The Clocky ceased to be a going concern when Mick left.
Yes, Mick told me that the "greedy brewery" tripled his rent/barrellidge,or whatever they do annually,which left him no choice but to go[but he took his regulars with him]
Nope. Using the media to promote their own news stories where there is some sort of objective editorial control and actually owning the media where there is none are very different.
Oh! do grow up, User 23.3 - you've been on here long enough!
Do you not question who's actually telling you these stories, in the media, and why?
To be sure we do, but in fairness, the content is reasonably accurate but I believe most of the people who use this forum have enough sense, maturity and local knowledge to sort the wheat from the chaff. We rely on you to give us the opposite view to every post, Threep to add a little spice and FF to keep us, now that she's back, on the straight and narrow.
If you're talking about me, I didn't make an assumption, I made an assertion and said it might not be correct.
If you're talking about the original news item, I'd agree yes it seems to make assumptions without all the facts.
You certainly have made an assumption that the original report was "deliberately misleading"!!!!
Perhaps, instead of knocking the reporting of local interests, some considerations should go out to Robert James who, not only ran a local business for some 20+ years, but also contributed regularly to the NRA, and for a while was a worthy chairman, and to his staff, who will now presumably be out of a job!
Yes, Mick told me that the "greedy brewery" tripled his rent/barrellidge,or whatever they do annually,which left him no choice but to go[but he took his regulars with him]
Ever since the Clockie (Shenanigans/Broadways) has been desperately failing - perhaps the sale will allow someone like Butts or West Berks to open a proper pub in town. WIthout OTT rent (dry and wet) there should be a profit available - £325k doesn't seem a high price. Unless Mick fancies a comeback?
However there is one issue that might arise, a lot of the pubcos have been putting restrictive covenants on pubs they sell, preventing them from being used as pubs again. A Commons select committee recently issued a report recomending that this practice be made illegal, but there hasn't been enough time for any such law to be enacted.
It seems that the Clockie is up for sale as a going concern (the estate agents blurb tells a little porlie when it says the premises are still operating).
Good news though, perhaps someone with a clue will buy it and keep one of our oldest pubs going. If that someone is reading this - I promise to buy beer and food on a reasonably regular basis at times when there is no football (preferrably no TV) and no DJ or live music (I actually enjoy going to a pub with some firends for a chat and I do like to hear what they are saying).
Nope. Using the media to promote their own news stories where there is some sort of objective editorial control and actually owning the media where there is none are very different.
So you believe that your employer should stop publishing their bullshit filled pretend magazine "A great place to live" or whatever it is called.
Do you not question who's actually telling you these stories, in the media, and why?
I more frequently question why those in various government offices try and stop the truth coming out - of course as one of those who has repeatedly shown on this website and its predecessor of your skills in twisting what is said you are obviously in favour of this government style action - and possibly worried when the real facts are revealed.
So you believe that your employer should stop publishing their bullshit filled pretend magazine "A great place to live" or whatever it is called.
Never seen a copy myself....is it chocka with declining footfall figures, designs for the new mega-pavilion, and pledges to spend the £14m WBC unspent developers cash? Or maybe the news that Newbury is 'bucking the trend' in the recession truth?
The Clock Tower has not done well since it cleaned itself up and alienated all its regulars in the 90s but again you're right, it's one of those venues like Bar Cuba that gives the owner a lot of kudos among some circles within the town.
Yes, I have to agree with you about greed being the main driver behind business.
I think in some cases, greed is too strong a word. Sure, greed lives within business, but there are other motives. The problem with business is that you can either down-size or grow. If you try to maintain constant revenues, you make yourself vulnerable to change.
I think in some cases, greed is too strong a word. Sure, greed lives within business, but there are other motives. The problem with business is that you can either down-size or grow. If you try to maintain constant revenues, you make yourself vulnerable to change.
Tend to agree - greed is really a personal adjective. As economies develop, which they tend to do via commerce, many operate businesses simply to survive. Counterwise, we can see greed in those apparently doing a service for public good - MPs for instance, or as we are beginning to see the heads of various 'not for profits'. Would suggest that as it didn't seem to have any expansionist tendancies, this travel agent was being run simply to provide an honest living - hardly greed!
I can't see the various roadworks effecting Windsor & Neate too badly - competition from the internet must be devastating for any travel agent (I can't remember when I last went into one).
A friend of mine used this one. He said they were often cheaper than he could find himself on the Internet. They were especially handy for business trips as they could cope with arranging rather complicated journeys better than he could. He used them only recently.
The old Windsor & Neate travel agents reopened this morning (6th October) at 10.00am. They are now trading as Ambassador Travel.
They have not re-opened and have not changed their name. It is a totally new travel agency that has been opened in the same shop. Nothing to do with the bloke that owned Windsor and Neate.
They have not re-opened and have not changed their name. It is a totally new travel agency that has been opened in the same shop. Nothing to do with the bloke that owned Windsor and Neate. FACT.
I understand that there are some of the original people still working there.
I think the "reopened" referred to the shop being reinstated as a travel agent, and not intentionally inferring that it had been reopened by the same/original person or persons.
I think the "reopened" referred to the shop being reinstated as a travel agent, and not intentionally inferring that it had been reopened by the same/original person or persons.
I understand that some of the people that worked there before are there now.
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