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New Village Store in Station Road? - Ron Jepson (1st Jul 2007 - 13:21:20) Hi All, I was wondering what people thought about a new "Village Store" in Station Road? Would you support it? what would you like in it? Local produce? Also if anyone knows about the lease situation for the two empty shops, not carpet baggers, can they let me know please? I await with interest. Ron

Re: New Village Store in Station Road? - Candyfloss (1st Jul 2007 - 15:39:56) Ron, Are you thinking of a 'food' store? What is wrong with Carpet baggers?. So many people have looked at renting this - but to no avail. Some say it is the lease details, some that they have to take on the 'offices' above, and some have just given up waiting for them to respond!! I find it most strange that the shop has been vacant for at least 18 - 24 mths.

Re: New Village Store in Station Road? - L (1st Jul 2007 - 16:15:06) Hi Ron - YES! Butcher, fishmonger, greengrocer etc would be great - Remember the good old days and stuff in brown paper bags? What was wrong with all that?

Re: New Village Store in Station Road? - liz (2nd Jul 2007 - 09:08:58) Butcher/fishmonger/greengrocer obviously ideal but I suspect you have more of a convenience store in mind. As far as I can see that is badly needed at that end of the village. I'm sure you would get a lot of support.

Re: New Village Store in Station Road? - Ron Jepson (2nd Jul 2007 - 18:47:42) I was thinking along the lines of a convenience store that would work with local produce and also be open outside the hours of sainsbury's, similar to Co-op. Thank you all for your replies, I do believe from what I have heard that the old carpett baggers is over priced and as you can see, in a right old state. It just would not be financially viable to take on a huge rent and also have to bring the property up to a decent standard. Now if they offered some kind of incentive then they would have many companies knocking on their door? Who knows. If their are any local producers that would like to get in contact please leave me a posting. Ron

Re: New Village Store in Station Road? - liz (3rd Jul 2007 - 13:47:04) Is the shop adjacent to the new 'Peep Inside' too small? I understand that the lease is still owned by the Co-op but I doubt that a convenience store at the other end of the village would have much impact on their Headley Road business.

Re: New Village Store in Station Road? - Candyfloss (3rd Jul 2007 - 19:11:29) Ron I would certainly try the old Balfour shop, the Co-Op according to a number of people are not interested in operating there so why not try. There is another shop, next to the new Countrywide, but I would presume that to be too small? Keep trying we all could do with you.

Re: New Village Store in Station Road? - Doreen (4th Jul 2007 - 00:19:58) fresh fruit and vegetables PLEASE!!!

Re: New Village Store in Station Road? - Paul Robinson (4th Jul 2007 - 07:41:15) I made time to check out the new Country Farmers store in the old Somerfields sit on Saturday, their opening day, and the car park was full and the shop seemed to be doing good business. Most of the shoppers I saw were wheeling around great bales of horse and pony feed which was being discounted by 20% as part of their opening offer. Walking down Station Road afterwards, I overheard a conversation that went something like "I am sure I am right, there is a newsagents along here, I know its been here for years" She was of course sadly deluded but this chance remark did indicate that the new store, like Sainsburys, was bringing new people into the town and I feel sure that 'A Village Store', whatever that might be, would be supported. A newsagent yes, a vegetable shop certainly ( fruit and vegetables are Sainsbury's 'Achilles heel' due to their inability to maintain adequate supplies) Good luck in your submissions.

Re: New Village Store in Station Road? - linda (6th Jul 2007 - 12:44:12) Hi Yes all these shops would be better if they were not vancant but remember we had a lovely flower and green grocer here in station road and I saw Ronnie and Joyce throw away all the stock because people, villagers went to sainsbury s I am lucky things in my shop don't go off, when things go quite but people can't afford to be quite forever!

Re: New Village Store in Station Road? - karen (10th Jul 2007 - 13:35:11) A village store would be fantastic. But I think you would need to ensure that you were not in direct competition with Sainsbury's, so just ensure you sell good quality fruit, veg, meat, fish etc and that should do the trick. Honestly, I think the quality of some items in Sainsburys is truly awful but if I don't want to get in the car and drive to say Grayshott or Petersfield that is really my only choice. I am sure with the right marketing and with the increase in foot traffic through Station Road (due to Countrywide) you could have a successful idea in the making. If you need any help with marketing I would be happy to advise (used to work in PR/Marketing) and would really love to see some business back in Station Road! I was thinking of opening a childrens play centre in the old Carpetbaggers site. You know, a soft play area, role play corner, puzzles, games etc. coffee and cakes for Mummys, healthy snacks and drinks for little ones. If I go for it, how many people might be interested...???

Re: New Village Store in Station Road? - anon (10th Jul 2007 - 23:00:03) I heard (from 3 different people), that carpetbaggers is to be a fishing tackle shop. Suppose we will have to wait and see.

Re: New Village Store in Station Road? - purplecurly (11th Jul 2007 - 12:32:30) Karen, an inside childrens play area would be GREAT. Would you need two storeys though [like treetops in Alton] or would it just be for tiny tots? Even just a place to pop in for healthy [organic] snacks and juice etc would be a good alternative to the fry up and coffee offered over the road. although I have been in there and it is very tasty... I just know fresh juice is better for me LOL

Re: New Village Store in Station Road? - karen f (11th Jul 2007 - 14:29:43) Hi Didn't think I would need two storey's was just going to make use of all the different rooms out the back of what was the existing shop. I thought I would have a role play room, art/craft room, puzzles/games room etc. and then an area of soft play and then cafe space. I did phone and ask how much the lease would be but never got an answer from the agents...so never got any further with the idea. My youngest child starts nursery in September so maybe I will pick up the idea again then! That's if we haven't got a fishing shop in there by then (how useful in Liphook?!?!) Karen

Re: New Village Store in Station Road? - Barbara Easton (11th Jul 2007 - 16:16:18) unfortunately it be that the reason the shops are left empy is the owners are waiting for the right time to apply for permission for residential. As the application in Station Road seems to have been turned down, for flats above the corner/entrance/exit towards the doctors surgery, they could be waiting for the pecedent to be sert for residential permission. I myself some years back enquired about a small section of the office space in the empty building opposite the pub, Two rooms in fact on the ground floor and was appalled to find the rent 30k per year plus vat. If landlords did not charge such a sum their premises would thrive. and they would at least have an income!

Re: New Village Store in Station Road? - Steve Read (11th Jul 2007 - 17:55:22) Karen, Just to let you know we had a fishing shop for years and years in Station Rd, fishing one side and mens barbers the other. Always busy, the fishing club was run from there and supported by a great many local people including a strong junior section. Alas when the owner retired, some other people came in and run it very well for a few years prior to emigrating. The empty shops in question have always been a white elephant, Gateway's (Somerfield) started there until the other store was built. Many business has used those shops all arriving at the same conclusion after a short while, too expensive. I'am sure Peeps could throw a lot more light on the situation etc. At the other end of the line where the Gurka's now reside, for many years was Gould & Chapman which I would imagine sold the odd chair once a year. This then was vacant for ages as well. Its a great shame, you have the parking facility down there for people just to pull in and purchase anything, but for whatever reason they all seem to struggle. Good luck to anybody who gives it a go I say.

Re: New Village Store in Station Road? - Anon (11th Jul 2007 - 21:10:35) Well, we could always revert to the old and have a fishing tackle and mens barbers again!!. I understand that Mr Esquire in the square is retiring - I dont know if anyone is going to take over his business? It is so sad that there are a number of empty shops in Station Road, for whatever the reason, and I feel that the ones there are just not given enough credit for sticking it out - under the current conditions they find themselves in. I think Linda was quite correct in stating that people cant stay quiet for ever, and at times Station Road has been well supported, and hopefully it will be again - just such a shame that investment is so lacking by the property owners. A few people here are comtemplating starting a business, and correctly are treading the water for feed back, but you must remember some have recently invested sums of money on their former success, and circumstances have changed since. There is no guarantees in business - except there are no guarantees!!. Those trading along station road have already made the committment, and it us up to us all to support them over the current difficulties and not to leave it to the new 'Harrods' of Liphook to make a difference!!.

Re: New Village Store in Station Road? - gen (15th Jul 2007 - 01:06:37) I cant speak for mr esquire but I do believe that it may be down to private matters it is a shame to loose a great business after 42 years. many points have been raised over the past few topics about the state of business within Liphook some have been very valid however some have come to desperate measures. All in all it seems the support from the people in Liphook has very much been there all the time and I am sure it is something all local businesses are grateful for and hopefully they will continue with their custom because of the great service the local businesses offer. I was really surprised but delighted to see country wide open here as it is offering great products and employment to the area and the response from lip-hook seems to be well received A few shops have opened in the last few months and the support seems to be very much there also of course risks will always be there but the very best of luck to everyone who gives it a go.

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