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empty shop in station road - jennie (23rd Aug 2011 - 13:10:51) carpet baggers moved quite a while ago and the shop is still empty!!! was wondering what sort of shop the residents of liphook would like it to be what have we got missing that would be useful??? personally i would like to see a craft shop awaiting replies with interest jennie

Re: empty shop in station road - John (23rd Aug 2011 - 13:50:51) My vote is for a Blockbuster DvD rental.

Re: empty shop in station road - Anne (23rd Aug 2011 - 14:09:09) I would love either a greengrocers or butchers but I guess with Sainsbury's so close, it's not likely to happen !!!

Re: empty shop in station road - liz (23rd Aug 2011 - 14:41:04) Totally agree - would love to see a butchers with a deli or a greengrocers. There is a greengrocers next to the co-op in Bordon which has survived being next to a supermarket for years - because their produce is excellent. It has to be said though it would be a brave person to start up in the current economic environment!

Re: empty shop in station road - jo herridge (23rd Aug 2011 - 16:11:50) I must admit a butchers or greengrocers would be good

Re: empty shop in station road - David (23rd Aug 2011 - 16:20:57) The greengrocer closed and a couple of butchers in the village also failed - thank you JS.

Re: empty shop in station road - Hannah (23rd Aug 2011 - 18:26:15) Should be primark! or something like that :)

Re: empty shop in station road - Rosie (23rd Aug 2011 - 20:15:49) I would definitely support a decent butchers. I go to good farm shops but it would be lovely to have one nearby.

Re: empty shop in station road - Vicky (23rd Aug 2011 - 20:41:46) I think a green grocers / butchers would be great, at the moment I get all mine from the little shop in bordon forest centre, it is much better than supermarkets fruit and veg, and generally cheaper! The amount of times i have bought strawberries for them to mouldy by the time I get home! I would def support it

Re: empty shop in station road - neil (24th Aug 2011 - 00:05:46) I would have loved to have seen a butchers and I think with the right support it would work. One of the things I love most about Oz is the fresh and local meat you can get. We can go to three or four butchers within 5 miles of each other all next to large supermarkets that sell meat at reduced rates but the butchers meats are far far better. I am sure if a butcher supplied good local meat people would purchase, it works in Bordon and Petersfield. Neil

Re: empty shop in station road - helen (24th Aug 2011 - 09:07:40) I do not know of any butcher in Bordon? Apart from weyhill I cannot think of one in Haslemere either. Unfortunately for shops there is always competition now from the internet, especially non perishable goods..

Re: empty shop in station road - PAE (24th Aug 2011 - 09:43:15) How my wife and I miss the three butchers and two greengrocers that were in the village on our arrival here in 1964!

Re: empty shop in station road - Rosie (24th Aug 2011 - 11:03:35) Helen Perhaps you could try to be a little more positive? I know some people buy off the internet but as I\'ve said before look at the success of Haslemere. For a lot of people shopping is an enjoyable social experience. Wouldn\'t it be great if Station Road became the trendy part of Liphook. Perhaps Peep Inside could do some more craft items - even think about craft workshops somewhere. Liphook Hardware - although you\'re great why don\'t you have a look at Miles - suss out the competition, even if you haven\'t got the same amount of floor space you could advertise special offers or items on talkback just like the sledges! What will happen to the land and buildings at the doctors surgery when that relocates? Is that going to be yet another site of dispute?

Re: empty shop in station road - liz (24th Aug 2011 - 12:12:51) Both the greengrocers and the butchers in Liphook closed before Sainsburys opened on concerns about the threat to their businesses. Probably quite wise of them but we shall never know. We still have an excellent independent baker despite the 'Sainsbury' threat which hopefully is still doing very well. There seems to be considerable demand for a good independent butchers both on this website and from people I speak to in the village.

Re: empty shop in station road - Anne (24th Aug 2011 - 12:20:50) Rosie, you mentioned on your last thread that the doctors surgery was relocating. Is this, what was Newtown Surgery, now Liphook and Liss Surgery? If so, where are the relocating to?

Re: empty shop in station road - Rosie (24th Aug 2011 - 12:40:13) I understood that both surgeries would move to Bohunt Manor to form a big medical centre complete with pharmacy.

Re: empty shop in station road - Chrissy Adamson (24th Aug 2011 - 18:18:05) I would love to see a proper butchers in Liphook the closest one is Whittles in Headley Down adjoining Londis or Kaighin and Daughter in Grayshott. The green grocer in Bordon next to the supermarket is fantastic, always have a varied stock and their produce is fresher than anything I have bought at the supermarket in a long time. I have had to make 2 visits in the past month to return mouldy strawberries and totally stewed spinach to Sainsbury's. Bring on a butcher/greengrocer I say. Chris

Re: empty shop in station road - Sudha Rai (24th Aug 2011 - 18:59:43) Does anyone know when the surgeries are being relocated?

Re: empty shop in station road - Sue (24th Aug 2011 - 20:06:09) This is almost a repeat of a thread about 4-5 years ago - perhaps before some posters used this site. Its great to have ideas of what could be here, and as some have mentioned we had them and lost them. (actually the Greengrocers in Station remained for at least a year after the large supermarket opened - but just lost too many customers) On the butchers, there was a very keen butcher, who ended up setting his business in Petersfield - due to difficult landlords who dragged out the signing of the lease - Liphook lost due to Landlords. The same has happened to the old carpet baggers - so many people have tried to open there, and every time it draws a blank. The property is in dire need of thousands spending on it, as as far as I know the Landlord/owners are not prepared to help in any way. The rental was also excessive. With todays climate to make it viable, concessions would have to be made - and I cant see that happening. A lot of businesses do not own their properties, and major re-fits etc and referbs are generally taken on at the cost of the rental business - many Landlords are not keen on spending within their own property - but are happy for others to do it for them. Peep inside did open a craft shop - with card craft lessons etc - I think they were quite successful, but there must have been good reasons for that shop to close. Its always good to have a look round to see if people can fill a gap, but it must be worth it, and its hard to compare Haslemere - who has a far larger housing population and work site locations than Liphook. Its all about 'catchment' and how large your community is. Liphook unfortunately is not a destination place - no matter how much we may wish it to be otherwise. For business to be able to create new images and lines they need the stability and support of their community - we are not talking about raising profits for self gain - profits are needed to invest in new - if that is not generated and stable, how can you support the costs? I think the community should continue to support all local businesses as much as they can - and perhaps together we will come out of this 'bad' time with improvements all round.

Re: empty shop in station road - Dee (24th Aug 2011 - 20:37:03) Jennie - are you thinking of starting up a business then? I add my vote to desiring a butchers and/or greengrocers. I think the veg and fruit in Sainsburys is pretty awful and I would definitely support a local business. Meanwhile, am looking forward to Country Market re-opening although they were rather expensive

Re: empty shop in station road - Mary W (24th Aug 2011 - 22:46:40) Be nice to have a bakery that was open normal shop hours. Or another small co-op like the one in the Headley Road.

Re: empty shop in station road - Concerned (25th Aug 2011 - 09:27:00) Doesn't any one realise why Carpetbaggers moved out and no one has taken up the premises. Its all a matter of Rent and Rates. They are too high for business to support.

Re: empty shop in station road - EM (25th Aug 2011 - 10:26:38) I use the bakers daily, their sandwiches are lovely (as is everything in there). Unregular hours?? I think not. They close only for holidays and funerals etc. Is that not acceptable? They always give plenty of notice.

Re: empty shop in station road - jennie (25th Aug 2011 - 12:00:44) oh dear sue i am so sorry that i brought up the subject again !!! i didnt know it had been on before, the thread was ment as a light subject after all the gripes we seem to have on talkback!! Dee i would love to open up a craft shop with craft parties for children, scrapbooking sessions and so much more but unfortuneately dont have the finacial backing for it!!! and yes a greengrocers and butchers would be lovely there is definately enough space for a joint venture jennie

Re: empty shop in station road - Jenny (25th Aug 2011 - 14:56:34) Jennie, you originally said a craft shop. It is just such a pity that any shop is totally empty - wouldn't the landlord be happy for SOME rent, rather than none? I'd go for one of those lovely pottery places that you can go to and paint your own pottery with the kids; great for us grannies and those "what shall we do for a birthday party" moments. Us adults could all have a go too!

Re: empty shop in station road - Mary W (25th Aug 2011 - 20:11:58) EN - Bakers seems to add a week to every Bank Holiday plus every Monday. If you're going to run a business, get cover - I don't know any other shop that's closed as much as they are. Yes, the bread is lovely (and pricey as well), but this is a competitive world we live in and if you open a business it should be run as a business, not a hobby

- claire (25th Aug 2011 - 20:20:46) As for the Bakery, it`s open 5 days a week and only closes so the staff can have their holidays,which they wouldn`t get otherwise as they are a small business !!

Re: empty shop in station road - Sue (25th Aug 2011 - 21:42:11) Hi All I did not reply to put off people expressing what they would like - in fact I support it, its just that when people put a like they dont think what it actually means - for it to survive it has to be a need. When comments are made about businesses and how they should continue or why they are no longer here, or why someone should open a shop, people who are not connected with such businesses just need a bit of help and info on what needs to be considered. Villagers should feel lucky that those remaining have survived and be proud that Liphook still has a wider diversity of shops than say Bordon, which has nearly 3 times the housing! As I tried to explain - its not that there is a lack of interest or willingness to use the empty shops, there are other reasons to why they havent happened. As for carpet baggers it was taken on a 25yr lease by a bank - so I think owners are still getting rental. This may of changed - so if you know differently...... My \'like list\' would include fresh greens, veg, meat, convienence/newsagent, shoes and accessories. Happy wishing - you never know!

Re: empty shop in station road - Megan (25th Aug 2011 - 21:42:51) I think all the ideas for the empty shop are good! As for the Bakery, Ever since Liphook Bakery has been in station road they have always closed at set times through out the year, that being only 2 times a year and obviously closed at christmas time as is everyone else. They always give enough notice to up coming holidays. Liphook Bakery and Liss Bakery work very hard even throughout the harsh winters when its snowing!! i think they all deserve a holiday and a bit of time out!. Happy holidays !!!!!

Re: empty shop in station road - Susie (27th Aug 2011 - 19:35:31) A cash point machine! Why is there no where to get your money out down in that part of town? Sainsbury's is unreliable and on occasions I've had to go right down to the co-op to get money out. Apart from that a 'paint your own pottery' sounds good.

Re: empty shop in station road - Adam (27th Aug 2011 - 21:29:07) How about a record store?

Re: empty shop in station road - Sudha Rai (28th Aug 2011 - 18:54:44) Its all very well discussing the empty shops in Station Road but what about the shops that are already in Station Road? Do you visit the florist,the bakery, Hairlines,Escarda Beauty Salon,General Wine Merchants,Countrywide,Chinese Take away,Optmetrists,Village Tandoori,A3 cars,Sparkling Homes,Dentsit,Liphook Hardware,Fish and Chip shop,laundrette,Charity Shops,Lighter Life,Peep Inside and then when all the shopping has been done you can pop in to either Shankleys or The Gurkha Chautari for sustenance!

Re: empty shop in station road - Sue (29th Aug 2011 - 10:08:03) and The Clock Shop, Trax (Bookies) and Plumbase. Wow if people outside the area saw this - they would think lucky Liphook - this is only one half of the shopping area in Liphook. The square have another collection of shops added to those along Headley Road and Midhurst Road - all different - rather a lot? If anyone is serious about opening a different venture - go and find out if you can get started - dont just think 'I wont get funding' seek it out - it is available - you just have to be dedicated enough to find it - the start to running a business - if you fall at the first hurdle and give up - then its not for you!

Re: empty shop in station road - helen (29th Aug 2011 - 11:24:22) Also countrywide is in Station Road. I think to be realistic there is talk of asda moving into viking park in Bordon, that does not bode well for an independent butcher or greengrocers.

Re: empty shop in station road - Sue (29th Aug 2011 - 15:08:05) Country wide was mentioned in Sudah's List - Asda in bordon? would that really take shoppers away from a fresh fruit and veg shop? if it would - then it would also take customers for others things too? Cant see that happening for a while - they need to start on the housig - that keeps being put back. Think Liphook will see more housing before Bordon. Which for businesses is a godsend.

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