High Street names that have completely vanished

Jonbvn

Malthusian wrote: »

No, they go to the same chains and eat the same food, and then blame sersyertee for the fact that they are too lazy or risk-averse to go to the independent shops. You can't throw a brick in Bath without hitting a dozen excellent independent shops, cafes and restaurants. If they prefer to go to Costa because that's what they're familiar with, that's their choice.

No doubt it's a welcome refuge from wall-to-wall Pennymarkts and DMs in Germany.

And arguably some of the best pubs in the land! If you can find a better restaurant than Sotto Sotto, let me know. What i wouldn't give for a couple of hours in the Thermae Spa right now

OK I admit it, I love Bath!

Sapphire

NBLondon wrote: »

Biba still exist as a label - owned by House of Fraser where they appear as concessions (at least for the next few weeks).
They were bought by House of Fraser in the 70s (as were lots of department stores but operated under the locally known names - Binns or Hammonds when I was growing up...)

Yes, I know that Biba still exists as a (pretty minor) label, but there is nothing like the wonderful, large Kensington Biba store with some truly unique and quirky items (and unique atmosphere) now, or anywhere else. It may have been closed because of Barbara Hulanicki's personal situation, more than anything else?

When it comes to Army and Navy Stores, I was specifically thinking about the large department store in Victoria (don't know whether it is still there).

westernpromise

Sapphire wrote: »

When it comes to Army and Navy Stores, I was specifically thinking about the large department store in Victoria (don't know whether it is still there).

I used to work in the building opposite. I think it's now a House of Fraser (beyond question the worst name for a shop ever).

NaughtiusMaximus

westernpromise wrote: »

I used to work in the building opposite. I think it's now a House of Fraser (beyond question the worst name for a shop ever).

Not quite the worst

kinger101

NaughtiusMaximus wrote: »

Not quite the worst

I'd stay away from the thin crust.

Mercdriver

Malthusian wrote: »

No, regardless of what eaterie he goes into, the food that he orders is always the same. If a man walks into a hundred pubs and can only find steak and ale pie, he has the same problem as the person who thinks that everyone they meet is an !!!!!!, and the man who thinks all his bones are broken when it's just the finger he's poking them with. The problem is the customer, not the pubs.

A local could easily find him something different, but it probably wouldn't be worth the risk of your tedious risk-averse friend whinging that there's nothing he wants to eat on the menu.

In much the same way as if you were asked to identify random people without looking at their face you would have little chance. "If you remove something's distinguishing features it's really difficult to distinguish them" doesn't tell us much of value.

I'm in agreement, but there is a danger that a misconception about menus leads to people always ordering the same thing and the trade moves to reflect that.

I haven't been to a Wetherspoons for years because the dishes will all be made by the same catering company, and the meat supplied by the same supplier also.

Also, just because nearly every pub has steak and ale pie, and let's face it, it is a pub food staple, that doesn't mean they will all taste trhe same.

Lia-Crafts

Athena - art shop
Barratts - shoe shop
JJB Sports - sports clothing
Jane Norman - Clothing
......... Who remembers MFI ? probably my first ever flat pack furniture experience. lol

zagubov

Even Wikipedia doesn't remember the retail group Tempo. I remember trying to find a printer for my dad's computer. My local branch didn't have it and when I went to where he lived, nobody knew what I was talking about, as it wasn't a national chain.

Pixie5740

molerat wrote: »

As with everything there is a wiki category "category: defunct retail companies of the united kingdom", can't seem to post a direct link though. Some real memories in that list.
Adams Kids
William Low
Richard Shops
Queensway

I was recently speaking with a neighbour about the typhoid outbreak in Aberdeen back in the 1960's caused by a dodgy tin of corned beef sold in the Aberdeen William Low. She was due to go to Butlins in Ayr on a family holiday but Aberdeen was on lock down. She phoned Butlins and they still let her and her family in but they weren't to tell anyone. When they got to Butlins there was a long queue for the swings which the children were left in whilst her and she checked them in. When she got back only her two were the only ones on the swings. Apparently her son had gone up to the other children and told them they were from Aberdeen then threatened to breath on them if they didn't let them skip the queue. She was mortified. William Low only lasted a couple more years in the city.

Pixie5740

I vaguely remember Razzle Dazzle shops when I was younger which then became the State of Independence just before I became a teenager. I think there was a large State of Independence store on Argyll Street in Glasgow. It mostly sold tat (I seem to remember a condom tree) and cheap clothing.