Green shoots reported, while 1 in 5 shops closed down.

Graham_Devon

ukcarper wrote: »

I saw this morning and what struck me was an internet caf! closing down because it’s rent had been increase by I think they said 20%. But with half a dozen shops already empty I can't see what the landlord is thinking unless he already has another tenant after all 20% of nothing is nothing.

The bloke in the chocolate shop said his rent was going up 80%.

I don't get it either. But I guess like council tax, the less people who are paying, the more others have to pay? So landlords looking to up the amounts for those who are using the buildings?

Mandalena

I live in Eastbourne and am an independent shopkeeper, I would estimate that closures amongst independent shops in Eastbourne is greater than 1 in 5, rents here are extremely high and it is difficult to stay in business without the support of local residents. The town is looking depressingly run down.

Austin_Allegro

I think what we're seeing could be escalation of rents by greedy/desperate landlords trying to cover their own debts. Basically killing the golden goose. If they go bust and are repossessed, rents might go back to more realistic levels to allow small businesses back.

But I'm not holding my breath - I think a few years of boarded up shops, squat shops and charity shops are likely for many towns.

jay3_2

There's plenty of money around - just look at the price of curtains.

tomstickland

Sunday Times reported that retail businesses face a tax increase soon.

chucky

ukcarper wrote: »

I saw this morning and what struck me was an internet caf! closing down because it’s rent had been increase by I think they said 20%. But with half a dozen shops already empty I can't see what the landlord is thinking unless he already has another tenant after all 20% of nothing is nothing.

it makes no sense for a landlord to have an empty shop. insurance will be much more expensive and the obvious problem is lack of income.

there has to be more to this - maybe the owner of the leases is planning a major development and wants the tenants out. very strange.

dervish

Conrad wrote: »

Was in Pizza Express, Bishops Stortford on Friday evening and it was rammed. The curry house over the road was also packed.

ram raided?

Crime is on the increase in any 'downturn'.

boyse7en

ram raided?

Crime is on the increase in any 'downturn'.

Ho, Ho! I see what you are doing there. Very clever!

Maybe he meant that the Curry house was small enough to fit into a suitcase when he said it was "packed".

EdInvestor

Mandalena wrote: »

I live in Eastbourne and am an independent shopkeeper, I would estimate that closures amongst independent shops in Eastbourne is greater than 1 in 5, rents here are extremely high and it is difficult to stay in business without the support of local residents. The town is looking depressingly run down.

It's strange about Eastbourne - to its west, Brighton remains very busy with very few closures noted except for some lesser restaurants. In Hastings to the east, again apart from Woolies, not much in the way of closures, with Zavvi being replaced by HMV and a large new Costa coffee opening. Some estate agents also went last year. But hardly a tumbleweed scenario.

Conrad

Mandalena wrote: »

I live in Eastbourne and am an independent shopkeeper, I would estimate that closures amongst independent shops in Eastbourne is greater than 1 in 5, rents here are extremely high and it is difficult to stay in business without the support of local residents. The town is looking depressingly run down.

My wife and I were discussing a clothes shop closure and the reasons we felt it hadn't done well.

The point being the shop owner probably had no idea of the issues as follows;

1) His till/desk where he sat was located in a very intrusive spot which made the shopper feel his eyes were boring inot you. THIS PROBLEM I SEE IN MANY SHOPS. It puts you off.

2) His GF did the buying (clothes) and bought for her narrow taste, instead of buying for the tastes of other people.

3) Too hot - so many shops fail to spot this major error. As a shopper I might have a coat on and have been walking so Im hot as it is, without the opressive blast you get when entering so many shops. I cant stand being hot so I leave sharpish.

They were bound to fail