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Lack of support for local shops - Allan (26th Oct 2007 - 17:39:42) This is an old chestnut, I know. But it has now been confirmed that Two Farmers, the butchers in Liss is finally to close it's doors on 2nd Nov. This saddening news has been threatened for some time but becomes reality because, so say the parent company Poultry First of Andover, they have "failed to make a sufficient return to survive in the market as an independent butcher" "This is despite the considerable effort and commitment of John L and John I in looking for and developing business away from the village. Liss is a difficult location for local and passing trade." That last sentence is a particularly damning indictment of local populations for not supporting local shops rather than one-stop shopping in large supermarkets. O.K., so that's in Liss, not Liphook; but it has happened here repeatedly in recent years to far too many businesses. So think before you go to The Big S or Tesco or Waitrose, M&S, lidl, et al for your requirements because if you don't use your local shops, it is as sure as death and taxes you will lose them!

Re: Lack of support for local shops - sue (26th Oct 2007 - 19:22:40) Allan It's refreshing that someone else sees it and feels it. We had a discussion yesterday in my shop, with a councillor from Whitehill & Bordon, who also worked for Robert Dyas and he was saying that Liphook really needs to be careful about how development is managed, and did stress that he found it 'dangerous' for our Parish Council to have voted to ACCEPT the Inspectors report to EXCLUDE us from the South Downs park. Leaving us wide open to probably 'unwanted' retail and housing development. We have already had brief reasons why our local population do not (In large numbers), support on a regular basis those shops that require everyday trade. Yes there are those who will always opt for the friendly, professional, knowledgeable staff, but in reality only a minority of the population. There is no blame attached to them, its just how people live and shop. It is a very sad that the butchers in Liss has closed, I know a number of Liphook people support it, but it does highlight whether it was a good move by Don not to keep fighting to open his butchers here. Its not all doom and gloom, we still have people using our shops, but a good shake up and a healthy bit of PR by an association/council may invigorate us. I have been considering asking the council if perhaps we could trial a Farmers market down Station Road, from the Old Carpet baggers to the Gurkha, It shouldn't cause too much traffic problems as there are plenty of other roads to use. How about it - sound good to anyone else?

Re: Lack of support for local shops - Chris (26th Oct 2007 - 20:22:12) ...a local farmers market sounds like an excellent idea.

Re: Lack of support for local shops - Rhys G (31st Oct 2007 - 15:57:03) Have people seen this on the BBC 'Have your say' forum. http://url.co.uk/xnn9v

Re: Lack of support for local shops - Allan (7th Nov 2007 - 11:28:42) True to principles I have switched my i.s.p. from AOL to fast.co.uk, our talkback host--different world. very-very-fast.co.uk more like. It pays to trade local!

Re: Lack of support for local shops - Mike G (7th Nov 2007 - 17:29:13) Gosh Allan, you'll have to learn to type with 2 fingers now to keep up with it! I love Farmers Markets and notice that one has just sprung up in Haselmere on the 1st Sunday of each month - thats the same day as Petersfield's - I can't get to both and I don't suspect many suppliers can either.

Re: Lack of support for local shops - Sue W (7th Nov 2007 - 19:20:06) Caught a piece on Delta Radio, about Whitehill. Bordon and Lindford councillor discussing the planned meeting and discussion with local traders and businesses. They realise that these people are key to the area, and acknowledge that there is a degree of uncertainty for the future. They are striving to help and support these traders. We have Grayshott with their scheme and a very well organised Chamber of Commerce in Haslemere, which has helped Beacon Hill with improvements. Where is LIPHOOKS??

Re: Lack of support for local shops - Allan (8th Nov 2007 - 01:16:26) Nae chance, Mr. G, I have been digitally singular for a consistent period of my I.T. existence and have no ambitions beyond that. But don't you get the point; for most things you do not actually have to go much beyond our own locallity to get product, goods and services that we require to run and continue to run our lives. Seems strange to me that local consumers will travel distance to purchase that which can be got here without incurring the cost of getting there.

Re: Lack of support for local shops - Sue W (8th Nov 2007 - 19:21:10) Allan, Now I don’t want to jinx anything - but perhaps the message is beginning to get through. We have seen more shoppers along our street this week, and from our records they are up to last years level. Something, which has not been achieved over the last 5 months. We had a posting about the poor state of Station Road, but now is a good time to re-visit it. A number of properties and businesses have painted the outside, one of the awful fascias has been renewed, another one will be done soon. A new shop has opened - Aladdins cave, and Christmas has arrived - all they need now is for people to come and look. We have seen from the news section that the Ghurkha will re-open after change of hands and total refurbishment. I must say many congratulations to Inwood Stoves - their shop window is adorable. Very festive and traditional - together with their olde world windows, a true asset to Liphook. I drive past at night, with all their lights - I know Christmas is just round the corner!! A very big thank you!!

Re: Lack of support for local shops - jon n (9th Nov 2007 - 00:31:03) I Think that something along the lines of a local shop directory for xmas that was posted out throughout Liphook as well as copies kept across retailers within the area would have been great. For me as a shopper I love the fact that in station road there is a great cafe and now three secondhand shops. Certain shops suit certain shoppers price will always play a factor in how people shop.The high street has seen some big movers and shakers in the last few years with companies such as Primark (Their new home wear collection is very very good both in quality and in value with cushions at only £1.99 along with bath mats at £1.50) so with places like that people will feel slightly drawn to shop on the high street as they know what they can roughly get I put this down to reasonable pricing & marketing which I feel certain elements of this could be taken and used. There has been much talk about a Liphook marketing panel starting up again but I have seen very little action of one taking shape which is a shame as the local businesses of Liphook have so much to offer.

Re: Lack of support for local shops - sue W (9th Nov 2007 - 09:10:11) Jon I would most certainly question the quality of a bath mat sold for £1.50!!!

Re: Lack of support for local shops - jon (9th Nov 2007 - 09:54:41) Sue The only way to find out is to buy one and see for yourself !

Re: Lack of support for local shops - sue w (9th Nov 2007 - 15:19:38) sorry - no can do - coals to newcastle?

Re: Lack of support for local shops - Mike G (9th Nov 2007 - 15:44:50) Maybe it was a failure to understand the competition that let to the premature demise of the Newcastle coal industry.

Re: Lack of support for local shops - sue w (9th Nov 2007 - 16:06:56) Mike Failure to understand the competition eh!. Having checked a number of suppliers prices for said item, and on the internet realising the cheapest base price was much higher than their selling price - made a decision that to purhcase it would make no difference - except to my pocket. All I can say let primark sell them at £1.50. I was at one of our wholesale cash and carry this am and they had a bath set (2 piece) for me to buy at £14.99 + vat. Now who ever would buy at that price I dont know. Imagine that once your markup was on!!. Perhaps I should use primark as my supplier? Jon Next time you go buy us a bundle. [editor - Jon, not sure that she really wants you to buy her some !]

Re: Lack of support for local shops - jon n (9th Nov 2007 - 18:32:51) Only if you say please :-)

Re: Lack of support for local shops - Sue W (9th Nov 2007 - 21:30:41) As the ed said, I didn't really want you too. Just pulling ur leg. So no thank you!

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