Is the High Street doomed

[BristolEcho]

Like Ted Baker, I can't say that Superdry would be the first place I would think of for clothing. Isn't the the way for many fashion brands;
they start up, become trendy, expand rapidly and then disappear?
I seem to remember Burtons from years back, Zara possibly, Ted Baker, Next, American Apparel, Hollister, Hobbs. I think these are some and
there will be many more.

I think Zara are doing okay.

The only thing I've ever bought from Superdry have been their cargo trousers when they are on sale.

 

[skyscraper101]

I don't think I've ever bought from super dry. TBH I've been wary of them since reading this thread anyway.

 

[Elpenor]

Superdry the clothing of choice for the centrist dads

My former colleague was from Osaka and was really amused to find people in this country wearing t shirts with the name of her city

 

[Chz]

I do have a Superdry puffer jacket, but that's because it was on sale for £70 and was a proper down-filled job. Even Uniqlo wanted more for down filling. TBF, it's a bit shit in that some of the poppers clench too tightly and rip off when you try to undo them. But I can live with that for being warm.

 

[pbsmooth]

Superdry the clothing of choice for the centrist dads

My former colleague was from Osaka and was really amused to find people in this country wearing t shirts with the name of her city

far too downmarket for centrist dads

 

[ska invita]

far too downmarket for centrist dads

expensive brand isnt it? how much money have these centrist dads got?
im sure its the being expensive thats making them struggle as a brand

 

[Elpenor]

far too downmarket for centrist dads

£40 for a t shirt that seems expensive to me, for something I’m probably to going wear under a jumper or hoody

 

[Artaxerxes]

We have enough clothes shops, and need to buy less clothes anyway. We can survive this one. Fucker for the employees but it’s not an essential service like Wilko was .

We really don’t, I’m fucked if I can name a single clothes shop that I’d actually go into aside from Sparks at this point.

Everything’s shut down or aimed at people 30 years younger and more fashionable

 

[pbsmooth]

expensive brand isnt it? how much money have these centrist dads got?
im sure its the being expensive thats making them struggle as a brand

I just assumed it was cheap as it is so deeply uncool. Maybe not! I reckon they should go cheaper.

 

[hash tag]

The shoplifting sprees won't help.
BBC News - 'I want to know why all the shops have gone'

Erith: 'I want to know why all the shops have gone'

Residents of south-east London tell the BBC they worry about crime, homelessness and shops closing down.

www.bbc.com

 

[ska invita]

High Street closures led by banks, chemists and pubs

Chemists, pubs and banks made up half of High Street closures in the first six months of 2024, data suggests.

www.bbc.co.uk

 

[kabbes]

I can’t say I’m devastated by the mass closure of estate agents

 

[BristolEcho]

I've been in a couple of Boots recently away from city centres and they seem to be struggling. The shops are pretty run down and there were huge q's as they only had the pharmacy staffed.

 

[ska invita]

430 pubs in six months

 

[lazythursday]

I've been in a couple of Boots recently away from city centres and they seem to be struggling. The shops are pretty run down and there were huge q's as they only had the pharmacy staffed.

has been gutted and stripped for parts by private equity I think?

 

[cupid_stunt]

430 pubs in six months

There's been a micro-pub revolution here, so we seem to have more pubs opening than closing, there must be at least six in Worthing now. In my village one of the two pubs closed, but two micro-pubs opened, one has live music, and a large cafe got a licence and is basically a pub too, especially in the evenings, when they also have live music some nights.

 

[brogdale]

There's been a micro-pub revolution here, so we seem to have more pubs opening than closing, there must be at least six in Worthing now. In my village one of the two pubs closed, but two micro-pubs opened, one has live music, and a large cafe got a licence and is basically a pub too, especially in the evenings, when they also have live music some nights.

That sounds good for you, but the figures quoted in the linked article are net, so it seems like your area might be the exception.

 

[Elpenor]

I've been in a couple of Boots recently away from city centres and they seem to be struggling. The shops are pretty run down and there were huge q's as they only had the pharmacy staffed.

The one locally has a huge queue for the pharmacy usually. It’s a big barn of a place on a retail park with a layout similar to a city centre store, although a lot less footfall. Very little of the stock in there seems worth buying (lots of those overpriced gift packs of toiletries you might buy a distant family member at Christmas) and prices seem high.

There was a much smaller boots store, a pharmacy really, more or less next to the doctors which was quite highly regarded but this has closed recently.

Other than the big boots the nearest other pharmacy is in the town centre which is a bus ride for most people. If I ever need a regular prescription I guess it will be an online delivery

 

[Elpenor]

That sounds good for you, but the figures quoted in the linked article are net, so it seems like your area might be the exception.

Have been in one of these in Berkshire recently. Suspect they’re quite middle class in nature, coffee during the day, craft beer type places, not sure they’ll be that welcoming to a wider range of pubgoers

 

[ska invita]

Have been in one of these in Berkshire recently. Suspect they’re quite middle class in nature, coffee during the day, craft beer type places, not sure they’ll be that welcoming to a wider range of pubgoers

I go to the kent and sussex coast a lot...even relatively run down towns like Herne Bay have lots of these shop front micro pubs Ive noticed.... theyre not booji in my experience, in fact the problem with those really small spots is it can be a bit like in someones front room and so a bit cliquey

 

[quimcunx]

My usual experiences of high streets are London and dundee centre. And while shops shut down etc there are still plenty of people milling around. A few weeks ago I was on Arbroath high street on a Saturday afternoon and there was barely a soul on the whole street other than us. Not sure if this usual for small town high stret or how it compares to previous years but it was pretty depressing.

The mid range restaurant in the harbour was busy.

 

[Elpenor]

I go to the kent and sussex coast a lot...even relatively run down towns like Herne Bay have lots of these shop front micro pubs Ive noticed.... theyre not booji in my experience, in fact the problem with those really small spots is it can be a bit like in someones front room and so a bit cliquey

Possibly my experience is because it was in Crowthorne (in Wokingham borough which is v middle class)

 

[ska invita]

Possibly my experience is because it was in Crowthorne (in Wokingham borough which is v middle class)

IM thinking of places like this

The Bouncing Barrel Micropub - Micropub Association

Visit the Micropub Directory to browse the growing list of micropubs springing up across the UK

www.micropubassociation.co.uk

 

[cupid_stunt]

Have been in one of these in Berkshire recently. Suspect they’re quite middle class in nature, coffee during the day, craft beer type places, not sure they’ll be that welcoming to a wider range of pubgoers

I've only been in two micro-pubs, neither are 'middle class in nature', the first that opened in town, the 'Anchored in Worthing', mainly a real ale fan base, with people from all backgrounds, they moved recently and I've not get been in the new place, but in the old place they didn't serve coffee. Based on the description below, they also didn't sell 'craft beer', just local real ales straight from the cask, plus Sussex ciders and wines.

Real ale has a more traditional taste, with a focus on depth and British beer flavors. Craft beer is known for its creativity and experimentation, and often has a medley of flavors.

Then this one I discovered hidden in the back of the village farm shop & deli, which has become my local.



Now, being in the back of a farm shop & deli, and in this village, I expected it may be more middle class, but it isn't, it's a proper local pub, with a mix of customers, including retail & council workers, a gardener, a train driver, a luggage handler that works at Gatwick, etc.

Again no 'craft beer', but Sussex ales, ciders, lagers, wines, and and a range of spirits, where possible locally produced. They do serve tea and coffee at anytime, and a limited menu from noon to 4pm, plus Friday is pizza night, and weather permitting a BBQ out the front on Sundays, all much like any normal pub.

I am sure some micro-pubs are probably more middle class, depending on the area, but that happens with normal pubs too.

 

[ska invita]

I've only been in two micro-pubs, neither are 'middle class in nature', the first that opened in town, the 'Anchored in Worthing', mainly a real ale fan base, with people from all backgrounds, they moved recently and I've not get been in the new place, but in the old place they didn't serve coffee. Based on the description below, they also didn't sell 'craft beer', just local real ales straight from the cask, plus Sussex ciders and wines.

View attachment 442298



Then this one I discovered hidden in the back of the village farm shop & deli, which has become my local.

View attachment 442291

Now, being in the back of a farm shop & deli, and in this village, I expected it may be more middle class, but it isn't, it's a proper local pub, with a mix of customers, including retail & council workers, a gardener, a train driver, a luggage handler that works at Gatwick, etc.

Again no 'craft beer', but Sussex ales, ciders, lagers, wines, and and a range of spirits, where possible locally produced. They do serve tea and coffee at anytime, and a limited menu from noon to 4pm, plus Friday is pizza night, and weather permitting a BBQ out the front on Sundays, all much like any normal pub.

I am sure some micro-pubs are probably more middle class, depending on the area, but that happens with normal pubs too.

Supposeldy this is the "orignal micropub" that started it all:

!"The Butcher’s Arms is the original micropub and the birthplace of the micropub revolution. Owned and managed by Martyn Hillier, it has become the template upon which all subsequent micropubs have been based. Winner of numerous CAMRA and newspaper awards, The Butcher’s Arms is a great place for banter and the only pub where you can drink beer off a butcher’s block! Martyn’s vision, endeavour and enterprise has inspired many others to do the right thing."

ITs very CAMRA - aka Boomer

But just because a micropub serves mainly IPA and therefore attracts younger people doesnt make it automatically "middle class" IMO

 

[cupid_stunt]

I go to the kent and sussex coast a lot...even relatively run down towns like Herne Bay have lots of these shop front micro pubs Ive noticed.... theyre not booji in my experience, in fact the problem with those really small spots is it can be a bit like in someones front room and so a bit cliquey

They are very much like someone's front room, that's the exact term my brother used when I first took him into the Snug, I normally only pop in once or twice a week since I discovered it in May, and I haven't found it cliquey at all, when I first went in I sat at table next to one with three regulars, and I was soon drawn into conversation and made very welcome.

There does tend to be different groups sitting around, but they tend to be inter-changeable, as all the regulars get to know everyone, and anyone new tends to get drawn into conversation with any group if they so wish, which is the attraction for me, its been compared to the bar in the TV series 'Cheers'.

Ditto with the 'Anchored in Worthing', although that's just a very occasional pit stop for me, rather than a proper local, as the Snug has become to me.

They don't tend to have TVs, and many don't even have music, although the Snug does, but it's very much in the background, micro-pubs are like old fashioned type pubs, places you go to talk bollocks with anyone.

They are also bloody dangerous, when I first started going in I would say I am only in for a couple, and wobble back out after 5 or 6, probably around the 5th or 6th visit, I was greeted by the landlord saying, 'afternoon Mike, in for your usual couple?', I sensed he was taking the piss, and that was confirmed when I wobbled out later and he was collecting glasses from the tables on the pavement, and called out, 'there goes Mike, he's a legend.'

Then yesterday, the barmaid commented, 'I've noticed you've given up saying you're only in for a couple.' I just laughed and said, 'Yep, I've given up on failing my best intentions.'

Oh, and if I am spotted coming in the shop at the front, by the time I get to the bar at the back, my pint is already pulled.

 

[Elpenor]

Supposeldy this is the "orignal microbrewery" that started it all:
View attachment 442301
!"The Butcher’s Arms is the original micropub and the birthplace of the micropub revolution. Owned and managed by Martyn Hillier, it has become the template upon which all subsequent micropubs have been based. Winner of numerous CAMRA and newspaper awards, The Butcher’s Arms is a great place for banter and the only pub where you can drink beer off a butcher’s block! Martyn’s vision, endeavour and enterprise has inspired many others to do the right thing."

ITs very CAMRA - aka Boomer

But just because a microbrewery serves mainly IPA and therefore attracts younger people doesnt make it automatically "middle class" IMO

Fair enough. These look nothing like the one I went to!

 

[ska invita]

I haven't found it cliquey at all, when I first went in I sat at table next to one with three regulars, and I was soon drawn into conversation and made very welcome.

There does tend to be different groups sitting around, but they tend to be inter-changeable, as all the regulars get to know everyone, and anyone new tends to get drawn into conversation with any group if they so wish, which is the attraction for me, its been compared to the bar in the TV series 'Cheers'.

Ah so you're part of the clique
I usually like the ability to go into a pub and not have my conversation overheard and generally have some privacy. Though I expect when I retire I'll end up in the clique too

 

[ska invita]

Though I expect when I retire I'll end up in the clique too

...until talk turns to politics

 

[cupid_stunt]

Ah so you're part of the clique
I usually like the ability to go into a pub and not have my conversation overheard and generally have some privacy. Though I expect when I retire I'll end up in the clique too

A clique is 'a small close-knit group of people who do not readily allow others to join them', it's the exactly the opposite.

In the Snug it is also normally possible to sit away from others if you so which, I did when my brother brought his wife over for lunch, I greeted faces I know, then the three of us sat in private at a table just the other side of the divide between the shop and bar, extra seating was required, so they squashed things up in the shop, and put three extra tables in that space.