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re empty unit - jill (20th Mar 2014 - 17:16:30) i am appealing to the residents of liphook i am the owner of a retail premises in liphook and want your views on what you think liphook is missing and what you would like to see and use in the village thank you for your time and help

Re: re empty unit - Paul Robinson (20th Mar 2014 - 18:56:16) Speaking for my family, we would like to see a really good fruit and vegetable shop. The one we had in Station Road closed within weeks of the Sainsbury's opening,probably for all the right reasons, but, as it transpired, Sainsburys seem incapable of keeping a credible range of fresh fruit and veg at the best of times and at Christmas they fall apart altogether. Paul Robinson

Re: re empty unit - dawn (20th Mar 2014 - 20:14:18) A shoe shop. That was always a problem for me when the boys wrecked their school shoes (as the shop in Weyhill never sold anything that they would touch with a barge-pole) so it always meant a midweek rush to Guildford! Horrible! Apart from that - I would have to say that it depends on where the shop is located in relation to parking. People often say what they'd 'theoretically' like but in reality footfall is always based on how much walking is concerned.

Re: re empty unit - Rachel (20th Mar 2014 - 20:16:02) Here here, a green-grosses is just what this village needs.

Re: re empty unit - h (20th Mar 2014 - 20:19:46) Is the unit empty at present? what about along with the fruit and veg some local produce like jam, honey, cheese and pickles? or if not possible to get enough locally sourced produce some ranges which cannot be found at Sainsbury? not everyone wants to drive to Waitrose for better quality food. I drive to Kingsley market for the veg which is far better than sainsbury's produce.

Re: re empty unit - Jane (20th Mar 2014 - 20:46:24) Fantastic Jill! You should be commended on doing some market research before another random shop opening ..... who wanted a Chinese Acunpuncture shop; Mobility shop in prime location(all items available from Lloyds already) or indeed an Army Surplus shop.....all very random ideas and not what Liphook residents have been crying out for. My votes would be for greengrocers too, a shoe shop or Italian restaurant/cake shop "Bibi Anna" style, home interiors/gift shop. No more takeaways or hairdressers please Good Luck to you

Re: re empty unit - Jo (20th Mar 2014 - 21:32:29) What I would not like to see is a hairdressers, takeaway or estate agent. I run an online business and sell home accessories and furniture, and have been looking for some retail premises in the area on and off for some time, if you are looking for a tenant please call me on 07768 152362 - would be interested in short term and or long term possibilities depending on the location and suitability. Failing that how about a lovely butchers or a fabric/haberdashery type shop? Thanks, Jo

Re: re empty unit - Sarah (20th Mar 2014 - 23:06:25) A good quality butcher that supports local farmers.

Re: re empty unit - DML (20th Mar 2014 - 23:24:45) I would second that - a greengrocers definitely!

Re: re empty unit - liz (21st Mar 2014 - 08:51:15) I know so many people who say we need both a decent independent greengrocers and butchers in the village. My vote would be for a butcher/deli.

Re: re empty unit - IanS (21st Mar 2014 - 11:24:54) Nice Deli

Re: re empty unit - v (21st Mar 2014 - 11:51:29) SHOE SHOP

Re: re empty unit - Gina (21st Mar 2014 - 12:40:23) Hi Local produce, along with a greengrocers sounds fab! I know of someone locally that makes their own jams/pickles, and even fudge, im sure they would love to have their produce in your shop! hth Gina x

Re: re empty unit - Russ & Irene (21st Mar 2014 - 13:52:42) We know we are very short of shops in Liphook so there is a great opportunity for a really good butcher who knows his stuff and green grocers which both could sell local produces. At the moment we have to travel to get this produces but if we could buy in Liphook it would attract more people and so benefit the other shops. In the good old days we had 6 butchers 6 green grocers in the village that all competed with one another so it should be a doddle against Sainsbury’s.

Re: re empty unit - heather (21st Mar 2014 - 15:05:22) Where would you like to see a Mobility shop ? In the middle of nowhere? Just because it's a shop that you are LUCKY ENOUGH not to have to purchase from, it doesn't mean that there isn't the need for it in the Village. Have you tried pushing yourself in a wheelchair from 1 end of the village to the other to access Lloyds Chemist ? This flippant attitude does not surprise me in this Village . Neither does the lack of blue badge parking bays!

Re: re empty unit - Mike (21st Mar 2014 - 16:03:58) Jill, I'm guessing that you are not a trained butcher because, if you were, you probably would not be asking which kind of shop you should open. Would you be running this shop yourself or would you be hiring staff with any skills that you do not have? My choice would be for a butcher that competes with Sainsburys on quality of meat not just price. Beef from properly aged beef cattle (not a by product of the milk industry). Pork from old breed slow growing outdoor reared pigs. And so on. Anyway good luck with whatever you decide (unless it's an army surplus store or an estate agent)

Re: re empty unit - Rob (21st Mar 2014 - 16:56:13) Are you planning on opening something yourself or renting it out? If so how much rent do you want for your empty unit?

Re: re empty unit - Jane (21st Mar 2014 - 17:29:37) Heather x3 This was not a flippant attitude and yes I have bought many mobility/home help aids for 2 elderly relatives. But these are a considered purchase which I used the internet to evaluate and eventually purchased through Lloyds - which isn't very far away from the mobility shop and has parking and can easily be ordered online and are priced competitively. As the shop is not swamped with customers I think you have to look at what the majority of residents would like - the last 3 shop openings have little mass appeal was my point. I don't have a problem with a mobility shop just the location of it is a shame. Having pushed a double buggy and kiddy board for years I know the square pavements aren't the easiest and maybe station road area would have been better. Fingers crossed that the rest of us can have some shops we would benefit from too!

Re: re empty unit - H (21st Mar 2014 - 18:53:50) I do not think you meant to send it 3 times ? A shop will ether thrive or not depending on customers and if nobody wants a particular shop then they will go bust. the reason of course that the butchers and greengrocers left was competition from Sainsbury but upmarket goods such as the Cheesebox in haslemere may do better. There is surely space and empty shops anyway. I have not seen anyone go into the military shop, and it had a closed sign up when. I drove past this morning at 11.15 not a good sign. Unfortunately any products which can be bought cheaper on line will not succeed these days, even allowing for postage costs. Where a shop in Liphook will succeed is in the not having to get the car out factor.

Re: re empty unit - Lucy (21st Mar 2014 - 19:40:51) I think if your shop is near the station area we could really do with a newsagents or that type of shop, I leave liphook by train most days and am constantly frustrated by the fact that there is no shop in close vicinity of the station to pick up a paper or a drink or sandwich.

Re: re empty unit - AB (21st Mar 2014 - 21:17:20) I would love to see a deli/cheese/fishmongers! Though of course it depends where the empty shop premises are.... Having just moved from Haslemere, I would love to see more 'interesting to have a mooch around and be tempted type shops'...It needs to be affordable, and interesting ..to make people want to buy from that shop as opposed to Sainsburys or online. In Haslemere, there is a fishmongers and a deli which despite Waitrose opening up directly opposite, has survived and is still doing well! More quality shops for Liphook please!!

Re: re empty unit - Fred Splinge (21st Mar 2014 - 21:34:15) Hi Lucy, I agree about the newsagent but you could get a hot drink or something to eat from "Liphook's Bakery" in Station Rd. Bon voyage,Fred

Re: re empty unit - peter (21st Mar 2014 - 22:27:09) Please take a look at http://www.space-qube.co.uk/, Alison is always looking for new properties.

Re: re empty unit - h (21st Mar 2014 - 22:54:43) I think it is important to have nearby parking .Because of the ease of parking at Sainbury you have to think logically. What can I sell of mass appeal that Sainsburys does not? It is easy for people to park outside? Can I offer the product at a reasonable price taking into account my overheads? I know it sounds downmarket but there was a pound shop in Weyhill which is now closed. Would that be succesful? Consider all options rather than just the market you may know. Also consider your other small traders and what they are selling. The military shop may be unique in Liphook but is it of mass appeal? The Butcher in Rowledge is very succesful and sells superb meat but Rowledge has a wealthier clientele than Liphook. What about a shop selling good soft furnishings? Cushions duvet covers etc? Childrens toys and good quality clothes and pushchairs etc?

Re: re empty unit - andy (22nd Mar 2014 - 08:58:58) just reading about the shops wanted in the village, clearly most of the posts are by people who have not lived in the village for more than 10 years as the village has had most of the shops suggested and they have all gone because they cant compete with Sainsbury's or are not supported by the LOCAL community.

Re: re empty unit - IanS (22nd Mar 2014 - 12:09:25) I think the comeback of village shops elsewhere has shown there is a revival in interest in supporting local independent businesses. Just because we lost our butchers, fruit and veg etc in the past does not mean a well run small shop will not thrive in the future. I for one would be willing to pay extra to avoid being obliged to use Sainsbury's.

Re: re empty unit - tony (22nd Mar 2014 - 15:32:48) My advice, for what it's worth, would be don't pay too much notice to what we would ideally like in Liphook, ask instead what we'd be willing to walk past the aisles in Sainsbury's and come to your shop, day in, day out to pay more for. Better still, work out what Sainsbury's doesn't do, or doesn't do well. Unfortunately that seems to be haircutting, take away fast food (although to be fair Sainsbury's actually does that better and a lot cheaper) estate agents and little boutiques selling stuff for the ladies. I think I'd be looking at the latter. little overpriced nick nacks because then you'd at least be getting most of my monthly income, courtesy of my dear wife! Good luck.

Re: re empty unit - jaybee (22nd Mar 2014 - 19:21:39) Lucy Leave home a little earlier and pick up your paper and your drink at The Gables. Alternatively it might be possible to have it delivered to your home, unless you leave very early, ours is normally delivered around seven or shortly afterwards.

Re: re empty unit - Jill (23rd Mar 2014 - 14:26:36) Thank you all for taking the time to reply I am still deep in thought as what to put in it tempted by green grocer but worried about sainsburys this shop is a fresh start for me and don't want to be rich just earn a living. : ) Hoe do people feel about a secondhand clothes shop there was one when I was little in Liphook called all sorts where people bought in clothes shoes bags jewellery etc and then they got a percentage of the sales. Also love the deli idea but don't want to upset the bakers as they do a brill job

Re: re empty unit - CG (23rd Mar 2014 - 16:16:52) I think a secondhand clothes shop is an excellent idea!

Re: re empty unit - Susie (23rd Mar 2014 - 20:02:19) I use the charity shops for second hand clothes but it depends where the unit is as to what I think you should have. You really need something that will appeal to people outside the village too but then parking is a problem. I always thought that an American style diner, that is teenage friendly so they can meet their friends and buy reasonably priced drinks/ snacks in the evening but that also serves a need for Mums in the morning, with young children, for coffee and cake that has a bit of room and if you were willing to have longer hours you could even catch the commuters. I know there are already cafe's but they don't attract any of the groups above, Starbucks does. The one in Old Thorns is often very busy and people drive there just to meet friends. That's who you want to pull into the Village as it would benefit the other shop owners. The teenage element of the village is a huge untapped market, there is almost nowhere for them to go and most of them have pocket money to spend. They also don't require parking! The majority of them are well brought up, kind and polite and just need somewhere to meet their friends. From there other activities could be advertised that would help to build our community and make them proud to be in Liphook. If it's in the New Town area it would also be wonderful if you could incorporate a cash machine!

Re: re empty unit - Sarah (23rd Mar 2014 - 20:27:40) I think someone opened a shop like all sorts last year - did it actually open in the end? Is it still there or is it gone already? To be honest I can't see it lasting long.... A green grocers that is done carefully could be really great, I really think that despite Sainsburys there is a market - people here are getting more affluent and there's a market for good, organic, local veg that wasn't here when Sainsburys arrived. Other basics like local eggs, cheese, local products etc. would be a great supplement and actually I would love to run such a shop in liphook if I was in the position. I definitely think it would be really popular if marketed and publicised consistently :-)

Re: re empty unit - h (23rd Mar 2014 - 21:02:39) jill there was one in Liphook up until recently, where the military shop now is. It was not successful. There was also one in Haslemere and one in Grayshott and are also both closed. In my opinion, people who want second hand clothes now go to charity shops or shop on ebay. in a similar style what about a vintage shop? there is one in midhurst and sells other items as well as 40s and 50s clothes. It also sells suitcases walking sticks table linen etc. I think a second hand clothes shop ,would have stiff competition from the charity shops unless you specialised perhaps in childrens clothes and toys.

Re: re empty unit - liz (24th Mar 2014 - 08:41:56) Andy Our last butcher and greengrocers closed down in anticipation of Sainsbury's opening not after it. No-one has tried either since. As someone has mentioned, these shops compete with Sainsbury's elsewhere. We have an excellent independent baker even though you can buy bread in the supermarket.

Re: re empty unit - K (24th Mar 2014 - 10:18:02) As somebody who works for a large firm in Liphook, a really nice takeaway sandwich bar would go down a storm. One where you can choose the fillings, breads etc with other healthy options such as soups, salads etc. There is a real lack of "quick and healthy" lunch options in Liphook. You could also offer to support local companies with sandwiches etc for meetings.

Re: re empty unit - Mike (24th Mar 2014 - 10:31:33) I've no retailing experience but I would be very way of opening a greengrocers. This is one area that Sainsbury's does quite well and it also has a large car park and footfall. Greengrocery is not the type of thing that people will travel far for so the market is limited to Liphook. Produce is perishable so you have to decide what to do when it has passed it's freshest. Keep it on display and risk alienating customers or bin it and incur the extra cost, perhaps ordering less next time and risking selling out, again alienating customers. The cost of produce delivered by a wholesaler would eat into margins, the alternative is to drive up to Nine Elms each morning at 5am to select the best. Having said that, I would support any business that was either cheaper or better than Sainsbury's. For example, I never buy bread there as we have a much better alternative.

Re: re empty unit - Karen Feeney (26th Apr 2014 - 12:48:16) Jill Just wondered if your ideas had gone any further. I am thinking about doing something and wouldn't want to clash! If you get a chance could you call me 01428 723971. Thanks! Karen

Re: re empty unit - JJ (26th Apr 2014 - 13:50:03) I do not buy my vegetables from Sainsbury's, I do not think they do it well there at all. Often they don't stock what I want, their lettuce is tasteless and mass produced in hothouses, many times running out of stock of items of fresh produce. I see Sainsbury's in Liphook as a large corner shop for when I run out of something, the same applies to Tesco in Bordon, just a large corner shop. Both awful stores in terms of limited stock of many specific items I would have to go elsewhere for. Many homes in the area have fruit and vegetables delivered, which is another thing you could consider if people don't want to park. If you did mixed boxes of varying contents at a reasonable price and delivered too, that would surely do well. The same as many people getting off the train in Liphook from working in London and surrounding areas, who wanted to grab a mixed box of fresh fruit and veg, fairly priced, to add to their evening meal.

Re: re empty unit - Trevor Maroney (26th Apr 2014 - 15:15:44) The Parish Plan has tried to address empty shops in its Business & Employment section and has included a list of them at Appendix 4 to Annex C. Details on the sizes of these has yet to be researched. You will find the Section on the NEWS page of the website at www.liphookplan.co.uk. Paragraph 7.28 of the Business Plan endeavours to highlight what new shops residents would like see. We believe we have got it right, but would welcome further comments from you on the subject provided you live or shop in Liphook. We would also welcome comments from people employed by businesses within the Parish. This includes employees where ever they may live as they, as STAKEHOLDERS, do have a vested interest in maintaining a vibrant and prosperous business community. Your help in this subject would be greatly appreciated. Thank you. Chairman BLPP

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