Fears for Newcastle as town centre shops prepare to shut

“I've worked in retail for years, both for small independant companies and large national chains. What stands out for me is just how poorly the national chains are run. They get into massive debt buying in stock they can't afford and over employing staff they don't need. The sort of practice an independant company wouldn't even dream of.

The problem is having no one person in charge, and the person that actually makes the decisions is out of reach of the people actually dealing with customers. National retail is so out of touch with the real world that it doesnt suprise me in the slightest that these stores are closing all over the place.

Landlords also need to realise that the rent they are charging is far too unrealistic in these times. Having empty shops is doing nothing for high streets and costs the landlords money. They need to reduce rent and cut lease times. This may help to increase more independant trade. No one in there right mind would sign a lengthy lease in a high street with abandoned shops.”

“lots of shops are cutting down on hours to save money but what about the poor peoples jobs. what is happening?”

“@ AnthonyG73

Beggars can't be choosers. Count your blessings while the good times roll. Why should you worry yourself.... you have the means to 'enjoy the good life' -wherever that 'good life' is.

I'm not complaining -did I say I was? But one thing is for sure -'Castle started to go down -when its shoppers, who had the means, started to 'drift away for greener fields -in the first place.... which is their right of course. They set a trend which the 'Jones' had to keep up with....

Things soon begin to spiral downwards -and with a recession on top of that -it is only natural what is now happening to 'Castle now, -was inevitable. But I'm not complainin' -really not complainin'.
It'll be time for you to really be worried when the same thing happens to Shrewsbury and the other -'fashionable' shopping 'experiences -Wilmslow and Adderley Edge. Won't happen? I'm not so sure.”

“@ Spudder 56: -"The only people going into town centres soon will be shoplifters.. " (unquote).

I can see it now... large poster in Newcastle Town Centre Clothes Shop ..... "BARGAINS -WHILE STOCKS LAST -20% OFF SHOP LIFTING FINES".”

“Camband, where you choose to shop and what price you pay is your choice, maybe through circumstance not always preference. However, many people like myself and other posters on here choose to go elsewhere. Derby and Chester for example have been mentioned by other people. If you go to Stoke and Newcastle fair enough but different people have different needs. I neither smoke nor drink thats my choice as is fuelling my car up and going off somewhere else to browse and purchase. I often drive to Southport and Llandudno as well regardless of fuel costs my children enjoy the sea side. And in case you are genuinelly interested a full tank of fuel in my car is about £80.00”

“Sad state of affairs but the fact is that younger people do their shopping on line and want it all delivered including food drink and takeaways etc Councillors and Town Centre Managers can dress it up how they like but thats the truth of the matter The only people going into town centres soon will be shoplifters drunks drug addicts and big issue sellers and charity collectors ITS A REALLY SAD STATE OF AFFAIRS BUT ITS TRUE I am sorry to say TOWN CENTRES ARE FINISHED”

“....'Well I certain CAN'T afford to go to Shrewsbury......”

“@AnthonyG73
Im guessing you buy all your stuff from Newcastle camband and wouldnt dream of shopping elsewhere!" UNQUOTE.

Well I certainly afford to go to Shrewsbury for a start. No car, and the bus takes all day. I do all mine in Stoke and Newcastle -with odd visits to Hanley.
I do a Saturday shop for all my fruit and veg in Stoke; Also in Stoke (sometimes Newcastle -at either Sainsbury Stores) -I stock up with 'natural yoghurt' and cereals.. mainly porridge, olive based margarine etc; I get 'frozen fish' and milk from Cool Trader in Newcastle; jars of black or green olives from Castle Walks; and all other odds and sods from up that lane. Clothes, mainly from Charity Shops -but regarding the latter ...a bus to market Drayton or Eccleshall pays off -in the main, a better 'up-market selection' is on offer -some great 'hand-me-downs' to be had. NB I do 'invest' when it comes to footwear -big money -never less than £10)...

'Anything else I can interest you in Sir?'. (What's the price of fuel at the moment?)”

“Not surprised by this article, last time I was in Newcastle on business I was shocked at the all the pound shops and rip-off interest money shops, all the classic signs of Newcastle becoming a "benefits town" shopping centre.Like most people now I do my shopping online, as said before it quicker and easier to do. I don't have to "cough-up" for parking charges or put up with "chuggers" sticking their collection tins in my face, and in the case of Hanley seeing numerous drunks sprawled over the benches, p***ed out of their minds.”

“shops have had there day, its quicker its cheaper its easier and safer to shop on line, i only go out to food shop now, everything else i do on line.”