Felixstowe Docks in trouble?

Vinegartits

SingleSue wrote: »

Not Tchibo surely? Blimey, they haven't been there that long, been in a few times but the coffee smell has me out again pretty darn quick.

You are right, the high street is going to look pretty empty very quickly at this rate.

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news Sue, just heard myself. I think there are too many coffee shops, a few have to go - realistically they cannot all survive as there is a limit to the number of coffees the people of Fx can drink!

What bothers me is seeing the smaller retailers go; when you see a chain like JJB sport pulling out it's bad enough but to see the independents going under, that is very sad as it is the only thing that marks one high street out from another and gives the place its character.

SingleSue

Agree with you there.....I don't like coffee shops but that is because I cannot stand coffee but for others, they quite like the more cosmopolitan (or is that the dragged into the 21st century) feel.

I like our town centre much more compared to Ipswich because we do have the independents, it makes it so much more appealing and nice to look at than the stonking great stores and one size fits all customer service.

Vinegartits

jetski690 wrote: »

Was quite today but you can always check here to find out what's on or due on in the forth coming week.
http://www.portoffelixstowe.co.uk/shipping/frmSailingSchedule.aspx

Just heard this from a contact with a business at the dock of more than 20years; he sounded alarmed and said he had never seen it so quiet. I am attending a black-tie bash tonight for business types and will let you know what I hear but the rumblings have been fairly loud over Christmas and as New Year approaches I don't see how things can improve in the short term.

pickles110564

Vinegartits wrote: »

No ships in today I hear, agency staff being told not to come in - can you confirm Pickles or Jetski?

Also Tschibo and Comptons to close along with all the others, not looking good for the High Street if they are folding as rents become due.

I think you will find that Christmas is one of the due dates for Rent so it makes sense if these places are closing around this time.

MissMoneypenny

This is an article from tomorrows The Container Shipping Manager

The Leading Maritime & Transport News Portal

Thursday 01 January 2009

"SOARING operating costs and the trend towards bigger and bigger ships on the Asia-Europe trade as well as the lack of profitable backhaul cargo could see ports like Felixstowe completely removed from the port rotations of the major carriers in the near future, an industry insider told The Container Shipping Manager."
http://csm.hksg.com/archive/archive.jsp?category_id=13&article_id=158

SingleSue

Eeekkk that doesn't look good MissMoneypenny, that would be the death knell for this town if that happened.

Vinegartits

SingleSue wrote: »

Eeekkk that doesn't look good MissMoneypenny, that would be the death knell for this town if that happened.

I remember reading something about this in the Evening Star 3 months or so ago, there was to be a big meeting for top managers of Suffolk businesses to discuss the impact.

Sue, if you have a look at Rightmove, all property in Fx, lowest price first, the first 3 pages are all commercial property. There are some in Ipswich but not nearly as many; I think it is already happening.

Generali

pickles110564 wrote: »

I think you will find that Christmas is one of the due dates for Rent so it makes sense if these places are closing around this time.

My understanding of retail is that firms usually make the December rent but go bust in January when they have to pay VAT/stock.

I'm sure fc123 will be along to put me right at some point however.

Happy New Year pickles and fc123 BTW.

pickles110564

Generali wrote: »

My understanding of retail is that firms usually make the December rent but go bust in January when they have to pay VAT/stock.

I'm sure fc123 will be along to put me right at some point however.

Happy New Year pickles and fc123 BTW.

You to Mr Generali, hope 2009 becomes a stable future for you and your family.

PasturesNew

FungusFighter wrote: »

Me either:j

I'm bored with this thread, I'm of to wind up the DFW board by telling them debt is a sin and they're all going to hell:D

TTFN:rotfl:

Oh that made me laaarrrrf!