I know which was the final nail in Bishop high street but it was a tiny branch anyway by most store sizes. But Sunderland we are talking a big place.
Marks and Spencer.
- Thread starter DisillusionedOldGit
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I know which was the final nail in Bishop high street but it was a tiny branch anyway by most store sizes. But Sunderland we are talking a big place.
It seems to have gone down since they stopped using UK suppliers. Don't know if it's connected. Maybe just a coincidence.
Clothes would be even more expensive if using UK factories, but maybe could have repositioned themselves as more high-end fashion along with the food they sell.
Clothes would be even more expensive if using UK factories, but maybe could have repositioned themselves as more high-end fashion along with the food they sell.
Keawyeds
Striker
Nah, I'd have said McDonalds going to Tindale was the final nail.
I'd like to think there's some regeneration going on there, and there certainly is, but the council need to sort the rates out and get more local independent businesses back in there
AndrewP
Striker
They'll close the big store and open up a food store I bet.
Their kids uniforms are spot on too, well worth the little bit extra.
Paddy O'Dors
Striker
Council don't set the rates.
Slackythemackem
Midfield
Our lass worked there at the time. Bishop high street was dying on its arse long before M&S moved. She moved to the one up tindale and says the shop does miles better. No brainer from a business pov. I miss her working there like, we ate like kings for next to nowt.
B
becs
Guest
^^ this.
Mine is into her second year in her current uniform and it still looks decent and washes up well. I've bought cheaper from Asda before but it looks shabby quicker.
I like Marksies but it is a bit pricey for food
Good for work clothes though
Good for work clothes though
zinedine
Striker
High unemployment and low wages is what it says about the town.
Le Chuck
Striker
They have for at least the last 6 or 7 years
how many times does this need explaining?
zinedine
Striker
Councils could help centres like Bishop and Sunderland by having free parking in and around them. I know people who refuse to pay to park their cars when they're giving their money to shops and so go to the metro centre, team valley or washington.
I was through Bishop a few weeks back and was very surprised at its demise. They'e building some kind of tower in the market place which looks interesting but I'm not sure it'll help reopen all the closed shops.
Stray Cat
Striker
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safcforever
Striker
Most people shop online for clothes. Well everyone I know does
Weirdly I had a similar conversation with my missus last weekend. We've both decided we will never shop in the city centre again because of the parking and the one way streets
heroesof73
Striker
Arnly use if for the 2 dine for a tenner deal--and even then not as much as I used to
Paddy O'Dors
Striker
Sunderland has free parking on a Thursday.
I don't mind paying less than a couple of quid to shop in the town. Takes 5 minutes to drive there from Seaburn and uses less petrol. Find the Metro Centre is a bit soulless and characterless tbh.
D
Deleted member 5265
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I could write an essay about this. Local supply means retailers can do just-in-time production, which gives them an edge. British textile production is still round and about, but much of it is high end, and we happen to be the best in the world at some of the stuff we do (Scottish cashmere - best in world, Northampton shoes - best in world, Abraham Moon’s woollen fabric - best in world). M&S did a Best of British range for several years which showcased much of this, and using their bulk purchasing power were able to buy a much lower cost and sell at lower cost - but I’m talking about a pair of Northampton shoes being £200 in M&S not £300 in the maker’s shops.
Cheap fashion now is about very quick turnaround of styles, not putting together a cohesive range. Customers expect to wear for a bit and chuck. High end fashion is about a cohesive range using quality materials so a woman can walk in and buy several items that work together, expecting them to last a couple of years. M&S has been bad at both. They remain obsessed with everything having to be sold under their own brand, so the ranges become slaves to the brand rather than the other way round.
Retailers need increasingly to use their real estate as showrooms and collection and return points.
Terrible for Sunderland if M&S goes mind. But I doubt it’s the destination store it used to be, the one that if you secured it as a tenant for your shopping mall you’d be made because you’d automatically increase footfall for everyone else.
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zinedine
Striker
I'm not a fan of the metro centre and haven't been in it for years. It had a fairground last time I was there which I hear has now gone.
A lot of places do free on Thursdays this time of year though it's usually only after 5 or 6 for the evening shopping. I like to support local shops but rarely go into our city centre, preferrng seaham or washington which are both easy to get to from where I live just off the A19. If parking was free Saturdays I'd go into the town more often. Paying to park when you are there to spend money and effectively support the centre goes against the grain for me.
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