Just been over to Festival Place with the kids, don't go very often - probably 3/4 times a year. On the way home I was pondering if that would be our last visit with Parkway opening soon.
I then realised that none of the shops we visited (and like) will be opening in Newbury (correct me if I am wrong), namely Pumpkin Patch, Build-a-Bear Workshop, Whittards of Chelsea, Primark, Greggs and JD Sports. Are we really going to be having any alternatives ? Personally I suspect I will still be taking a trip to Basingstoke in November !
Just been over to Festival Place with the kids, don't go very often - probably 3/4 times a year. On the way home I was pondering if that would be our last visit with Parkway opening soon.
I then realised that none of the shops we visited (and like) will be opening in Newbury (correct me if I am wrong), namely Pumpkin Patch, Build-a-Bear Workshop, Whittards of Chelsea, Primark, Greggs and JD Sports. Are we really going to be having any alternatives ? Personally I suspect I will still be taking a trip to Basingstoke in November !
Don't know about PP or Build a Bear, but we had a JD Sports, they went. We had a Whittards, they went. Present staff at Debenhams are still under the impression that Primarks will be replacing them. As for Greggs? I thought you had to be a northern type to shop there?
Friend has just informed me that Barclays have sent a letter stating the existing two Newbury branches will be closing when the new branch opens in Park Way. So two more vacant shops in the rest of Newbury.
Don't know about PP or Build a Bear, but we had a JD Sports, they went. We had a Whittards, they went. Present staff at Debenhams are still under the impression that Primarks will be replacing them. As for Greggs? I thought you had to be a northern type to shop there?
Threep.
Have we had a JD Sports ? Thought the one "up the top" was JJB Sports ? Vaguely remember a Whittards now you said, think I was probably too young to appreciate it at the time !! Never been to a Greggs until today - and it was really good - and very cheap too. 2 x foot long baguettes, 2 strawberry smoothies, 2 muffins and an iced donut just over £6 .... and not a northerner in sight
Have we had a JD Sports ? Thought the one "up the top" was JJB Sports ? Vaguely remember a Whittards now you said, think I was probably too young to appreciate it at the time !! Never been to a Greggs until today - and it was really good - and very cheap too. 2 x foot long baguettes, 2 strawberry smoothies, 2 muffins and an iced donut just over £6 .... and not a northerner in sight
Eh By Gum lass that will never catch on in Newbury then! Gives the wrong impression don't you know, what!
Don't know about PP or Build a Bear, but we had a JD Sports, they went. We had a Whittards, they went. Present staff at Debenhams are still under the impression that Primarks will be replacing them. As for Greggs? I thought you had to be a northern type to shop there?
Threep.
As far as I know from a few people, Debenhams will be staying in the Kennet Centre as a clearance store to stop Primark coming in.
There are still a quarter of the new shops at Parkway empty, and of course when Barclays, Costa, Fat Face vacate, there'll be chance for Greggs to go in there.
There are still a quarter of the new shops at Parkway empty, and of course when Barclays, Costa, Fat Face vacate, there'll be chance for Greggs to go in there.
Gregge are really a sandwich and pie seller. Their competition would be the sandwich suppliers and not Hethertons et al. Sandwiches are ok, but their pies are all sauce and no meat.
Do you seriously believe people would leave Parkway area and walk to our local bakers ?
PW is two rows of shops.
If you want anything to eat you'll have to leave PW. And, if the comments about the useage of the car park are to be believed, you'll be walking out of PW to where ever you parked the car too.
PW is two rows of shops. If you want anything to eat you'll have to leave PW. And, if the comments about the useage of the car park are to be believed, you'll be walking out of PW to where ever you parked the car too.
There are not many bakers between the primary car parks and PW.
Are you completely unable to understand what I have said?
I understand perfectly what you are saying ! But some people on this forum seems unable to understand peoples shopping habits ! When I worked in Newbury I bought my lunch from Hethertons six days a week. It was good food, fairly priced, but most importantly it was directly opposite the shop where I was. Therefore if I was in Parkway, and was wanted something to eat I would go to the nearest location - which sadly isn't going to be any of the establishments you mentioned, because the rents are too high.
We can all sit on here being politically correct "support local business bla-bla" but unless local independants offer something EXCEPTIONAL no-one is going to walk there, when there is something "good enough" in the immediate vicinity. So back to my original post Greggs was quite nice, had lots of bright young staff (presumably locals) and could afford the rent.
In an ideal world (mine included) I would like to see Parkway filled with lots of local independant businesses but I think we established long long ago that wasn't going to happen !
It looks like around 80% of the floorspace is let or is at least in negotiation to be let.
Percentage of floorspace, or number of units let, is totally irrelevant to my original post - it could all be 'let' - but I am not particularly enthralled about any of the tenants I am aware of. Is there a list somewhere ?
I understand perfectly what you are saying ! But some people on this forum seems unable to understand peoples shopping habits ! When I worked in Newbury I bought my lunch from Hethertons six days a week. It was good food, fairly priced, but most importantly it was directly opposite the shop where I was. Therefore if I was in Parkway, and was wanted something to eat I would go to the nearest location - which sadly isn't going to be any of the establishments you mentioned, because the rents are too high.
Which is exactly my point! People will use the convenient facility of a large national chain in Parkway and the local bakeries will lose business.
Which is exactly my point! People will use the convenient facility of a large national chain in Parkway and the local bakeries will lose business.
We are already victims of this type of national trading. Butcher, Greengrocer, Fishmonger..... not many of them left in the town. They have nearly all disappeared with the opening of the supermakets where we all go to buy our nicely shrink wrapped produce. Probbably because it's cheaper and also more accesible but whatever it is, the smaller, quality shops cannot survive in the town centres and still remain competitive. (Don't forget to add the cost of parking to the price of your pork chops).
Ffollowing the logic of the thread, it would not matter if the small indies were cheaper or sold better quality stuff. These factors alone are not a strong enough draw.
Ffollowing the logic of the thread, it would not matter if the small indies were cheaper or sold better quality stuff. These factors alone are not a strong enough draw.
I think that's very true. When I had the shop in Barts Street people used to say things like "I nearly came in last week but was in Northbrook Street so didn't want to walk "all the way" down here !! It was bl**dy infuriating but I must confess I am the same !
Ffollowing the logic of the thread, it would not matter if the small indies were cheaper or sold better quality stuff. These factors alone are not a strong enough draw.
There's actually quite a few independents in Newbury that seem to be a success.
There's actually quite a few independents in Newbury that seem to be a success.
Managing to survive, and being a success are two completely different issues! You are always asking others to quantify their comments, so now it's your turn. Explain your definition of success, and name those who you think are local independents that are successful!
Managing to survive, and being a success are two completely different issues! You are always asking others to quantify their comments, so now it's your turn. Explain your definition of success, and name those who you think are local independents that are successful!
Managing to survive is a measure of success in the current economic climate, in my estimation.
Managing to survive is a measure of success in the current economic climate, in my estimation.
Interestingly, Two Seasons has been doing a booming trade since the skatepark opened (they sell skateboards and associated clothing if you haven't been in. The skate park appears to be attracting kids from Oxford, Bristol, Reading etc who come and spend the day in Newbury.
But as we all know, Parkway is 15 years too late. I spent £200 online yesterday buying 'high street' bits and pieces. Then I went into town and spent perhaps £10.
Interestingly, Two Seasons has been doing a booming trade since the skatepark opened (they sell skateboards and associated clothing if you haven't been in. The skate park appears to be attracting kids from Oxford, Bristol, Reading etc who come and spend the day in Newbury.
But as we all know, Parkway is 15 years too late. I spent £200 online yesterday buying 'high street' bits and pieces. Then I went into town and spent perhaps £10.
They'll always be items that people like to see before they buy, clothing is one example of this and many people like to try items on before they purchase them. Your example of Two Seasons doing well shows this. Yes, one can order clothing through the Internet and return it if you don't wish to purchase it however this is actually more complicated than conventional shopping.
The High Street will evolve so that so that many shops will no longer carry stock but become showrooms for potential customers to inspect items before they purchase. Shops that sell expensive items such as white and electrical goods are the most likely to be the first to adopt this model. The item can then be ordered over the Internet, in the shop or later by the customer at home.
I can even foresee a time when some shops charge customers for entry which can then be redeemed if a product is purchased from a partner website.
No, shops will just evolve as they always have. This includes Parkway.
There's also still room for the niche retailer, those offering goods where the cost of postage added to the cost of the item makes it better value to buy on the High Street and those who offer items that one might have a need for immediately. Barry Forkin is a good example of a retailer that ticks all three of these boxes to a some extent.
Barry Forkin is succesful due to the 'can do' service it provides. I needed a longer than usual hose for a washing machine. They didn't stock it but ordered it in for me. On the other hand I needed a men's trouser belt and tried the largest independant in Newbury. I was told they didn't stock belts in sumnmer as they were a seasonal product
I've on several occasions gone there and found 'him' to be a miserable old git.
Forkin Senior nearly burst a blood vessel when I returned a product which had been mislabeled (by the manufacturer) and I had the temerity to ask for a refund or exchange. Forkin Junior (?) is rather more customer orientated and restrained the MOG.
How odd. I have been in loads and always found them fine and really helpful. I locked myself out a few years ago. They drove me home, got me in and fitted a new lock. Only charge was for the new lock. Must be my blue eyes.
How odd. I have been in loads and always found them fine and really helpful. I locked myself out a few years ago. They drove me home, got me in and fitted a new lock. Only charge was for the new lock. Must be my blue eyes.
That was probably the Locksmiths deapartment which operates in his shop but I believe the two chummies in there are independent. Barry is OK normally I just think he's a bit on the shy side.
That was probably the Locksmiths deapartment which operates in his shop but I believe the two chummies in there are independent. Barry is OK normally I just think he's a bit on the shy side.
What's the deal with House of Toomer / Barry Forkin, are they two separate traders operating from one shop?
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