High Street names that have completely vanished

p00hsticks

Thrugelmir wrote: »

Whitbread used to brew beer. Now just coffee, food and hotels.

And probably not coffee and hotels for much longer.....

https://www.whitbread.co.uk/media/press-releases/2018/25-04-2018a

The brewing business was sold off to Interbrew (who make Stella Artois).

Which brings to mind off-licenses - Whitbread used to own Threshers, but sold it off. Not sure who owned Victoria Wines, but that's another name that I think has disappeared.

Thrugelmir

p00hsticks wrote: »

Which brings to mind off-licenses - Whitbread used to own Threshers, but sold it off. Not sure who owned Victoria Wines, but that's another name that I think has disappeared.

Then was Stowells of Chelsea. Renowned for their wine boxes.

Dime_Bar

p00hsticks wrote: »

And probably not coffee and hotels for much longer.....

https://www.whitbread.co.uk/media/press-releases/2018/25-04-2018a

The brewing business was sold off to Interbrew (who make Stella Artois).

Which brings to mind off-licenses - Whitbread used to own Threshers, but sold it off. Not sure who owned Victoria Wines, but that's another name that I think has disappeared.

Victoria Wines was owned by Whitbread too. I used to work in on back in the early 00s and would quite often get extra shifts in the Threshers in the next town,

westernpromise

Off licences have largely disappeared AIUI because they no longer have the advantage of being allowed to stay open later than superstores. As late as the 80s, if you wanted a bottle of wine after 6pm it was Threshers, Victoria Wine etc. because Tesco was shut.

Once you take that edge away, they have to sell at or below superstore price to sell anything at all, which of course they couldn't afford to do.

Out,_Vile_Jelly

John Menzies (same sort of thing as WH Smith)
Athena (overpriced tat for moody teenagers)
C&A (I still own a jumper from here, bought over 20 years ago)
Etam/Tammy Girl
Mark One

chelseablue

Maplins
Poundworld

StevieJ

westernpromise wrote: »

Off licences have largely disappeared AIUI because they no longer have the advantage of being allowed to stay open later than superstores. As late as the 80s, if you wanted a bottle of wine after 6pm it was Threshers, Victoria Wine etc. because Tesco was shut.

Once you take that edge away, they have to sell at or below superstore price to sell anything at all, which of course they couldn't afford to do.

New kids on the block BARGAIN BOOZE, shouldn't last too long hopefully.
http://www.bargainbooze.co.uk/

westernpromise

StevieJ wrote: »

New kids on the block BARGAIN BOOZE, shouldn't last too long hopefully.
http://www.bargainbooze.co.uk/

I so cannot see myself walking into a shop called "Bargain Booze". What if someone I know saw me?

Sapphire

westernpromise wrote: »

You're right, I was thinking of Gamages which AFAIK is now a hotel. Department stores were on their way out 30 years ago of course.

Although John Lewis still seems to be thriving (as does Bentalls). I use it for all sorts of 'basic' household things, like mattresses, flooring, and electrical and electronic equipment, all of which I prefer to see/test (certainly in the case of a mattress) before buying them. It's also good for things like household cleaners and kitchen equipment, and if a Waitrose is attached (though not for vegetables and fruits, which I prefer to buy without plastic packaging whenever possible), so much the better.

I also like the fact that John Lewis sells British-made goods when possible, like mattresses and carpets, for example.

As an aside, I never used to use the shops that have closed mentioned above very much. Most seem pretty downmarket. I can remember Safeway because there was one close to where I lived, so it was convenient for basics, but the food it stocked was really inferior. When it comes to Woolworths, I remember it quite fondly because it was such an 'institution', and I also once worked there at weekends, but I never shopped there.

I would think that places like Harrods and Fortum & Mason are still pretty profitable.

Sapphire

Swan & Edgar and Biba have gone.

Don't know about Army and Navy Stores.