General Chat

Sheila, just recently they really do seem to be trying, I don't particularly agree with what they have done at the docks with making it residential, but I suppose they have mostly retained the character of the old Docks buildings. And I actually quite like The Outlet centre. I think when they have finished the link with the centre it will be pleasant. I just wish they could bring more pressure to bear on the landlords who own the rights to the Kings square buildings and get rid of that monstrous building. We have the framework for a lovely city but there seem to be so many constraints, not the least of course financial The latest stupidity is to shut all the public toilets. So that will bring in the visitors (not).

I think the decline started in the 60s with all the concret block buildings, but we are not alone there, many towns and cities suffered the same fate. Luckily we do still have some lovely old buildings and - better late than never- the council do seem to have woken up to the fact that they need preserving.

Julia, Thank you, yes it was great, the sun shone out of a cloudless sky all week. Unfortunately my OH was over generous with his cough/cold germs and I started to cough on Tuesday resulting in sleepless nights which are continuing. Years since I had a cold or cough like it and I feel really rough. And, unfortunately, I guess that there will be a few people developing a cough next week from travelling on the same flight as me, not thta I was the only one coughing, there were a few.

Ann in Glos, nice to see your back. Hope you both had a nice time.

We have a M&S food outlet about five miles from here, on the edge of another town. It does sell a few ladies and childrens clothes, but mainly underwear, thank the lord. Other than that, we have to go into either Derby or Nottingham, about 12 miles in either direction from here, and really a day out, if you are feeling brave enough.
Julia in Derbyshire

Hi Ann :-))

I could weep when I see how the city you mention (my home town) has suffered, and not just recently, it's been 'decaying' for years from bad planning, lack of investment in the right areas etc etc. It used to be a good centre but now is just depressing - the Cathedral is the notable exception.

I live between a small city and a large town, the town being more up market than the city. Hoever, both have suffered from small shops closing over the years But just recently we have had an influx of shops openening. Yes we have a lot of charity shops, but these serve a purpose, they are always busy, we also have Wilkos and a couple of pound shops, all have their place. The city has still got one butcher and a thriving Farmers market where local produce can be purchased. Both places have M&S and Debenhams and a good selection of the more popular clothes shops. The city has a thriving indoor market, although the number of stall fluctuates but there are still two selling wool, thread etc. There seem to be loads of jewellers in both places and the usual banks and B societies. Both have a large Boots. The parking in both is astronomical ditto the bus fares. However, both are usually very busy although I have to say that the percentage of over 60s is high (bus passes!)

I think stray gives a clue, besides the onset of the big supermarkets and out of town shopping areas with free parking, people are using the internet a lot more, it is the internet that will eventually kill the High Street because of ease of use and choice.

Morning Shane, tweet,tweet. LOLOL
Secret Millionaire last night did not show a very good picture of the old city, did it.
Your friend
Julia in Derbyshire

PS. Never stopped laughing at, and to, myself since your posts on my thread on Saturday afternoon Ha,ha,ha,

This is a post mining/heavy industry area, where I have lived in and around almost all my life. Until 10 years ago, we had a very thriving little town. We once boasted 9 butchers, many of them family concerns, 4 bakery's, again family concerns, 6 florists, a Wollies, 4 banks, 2 building society's, 2 drapers, many,many independant little shops, a fresh wet fish van,even a shop that sold knitting wool and embroidery silks etc.and a thriving market that on a Friday and Saturday boasted 90 stalls. All these, and several pubs also.
Now, we have no butchers, 2 bakers, but no baking on the premises, only 2 florists, as people still need wreaths, no Wollies, 2 banks, 2 buildo's, no drapers, no little shops, no wet fish van, no wool shop, and a market than can only show four stalls on both market days.
But, but, we also have, many charity shops, a couple of bookies, many,many take away food outlets of various nationalities, and only two of the original pubs. Even Boots have moved to attatched themselves to a doctors surgery on the outskirts of the town.Oh yes, and one newsagents. We also boast a cottage hospital just outside the town, which even the local health authority have tried twice in recent years to shut. And, a maternity home, that is now my vets.
Then we also have, yes you have guessed it TESCO, who'se motto should be "We came, we saw, and we decimatted".
Nuff said.
Julia in Derbyshire

idont mind going the supermarket, but i hate going the town shopping,we have a nice size town, but i prefer to internet shop if i can lol, x

I live in a very small holiday town and currently we have a reasonable selection of shops - excellent award winning butcher, two good local bakers, reasonable Spar, small, if pricey greengrocer and two pharmacies amongst the usual touristy type shops. Currently, all of the retail outlets are occupied but it wasn't like this three years ago.

We have a big Tesco less than a mile away, as well as a Netto and Iceland. Asda is 4 miles away and Morrisons about 8.

Our local council does nothing to help the small retailer. Street parking is restricted to 40 minutes and the car parks are £2 for 2 hours. The local traffic wardens (or whatever they are called these days) are "red hot" and the council is infamous for the amount of revenue raised from fines. This coupled with high Rates does nothing to help the small businesses.

Local landlords don't help either, charging astronomical rents. I know of at least 2 shops that may be closing next year due to proposed rent increases, along with others who are considering their options.

Our high street has
a wilkinsons
A HMV
a Waterstones
a department store with River Island type clothes

and a few million card shops and Banks
The parking is £1.00 and no one goes in!!!

its easier to travel 20 miles to the next town who have enough shops to supply the country !!

FORGOT ALTHOUGH I HAVE A BLUE BADGE FOR
CAR PARKS I STILL PAY FULL CHARGES

OUR CAR PARK CHARGES ARE DRIVING (XC PUN)]SHOPPERS AWAY AT 90p AN HOUR 3 TO 4 HOURS
IS £5 .THEN NEXT CHARGE IS £12
THATS OUR HIGH STREET
BY BUS IS £2.20 EACH WAY FOR A 3 MILE TRIP
THATS FOR TWO OF YOU £8.80 TO DO A SMALL SHOP,ALSO NEAREST MARKET,

is any wonder.
BRING BACK THE HIGH STREET.
Suppliers do not give smaller buisnesses the same deals as larger buisnesses the likes of T, S and M.And the rates for smaller are far,far to high.

At Church yesterday they were on about this and loads came up against larger stoers.

Whats your views on the High Street disappearing?