Chesterfield Online Forum
General Category => Chesterfield Discussion => Topic started by: Pete on April 11, 2015, 09:12:45 PM
-
It appears that Three Boutique is to close.
So another town centre independent business goes.
(http://www.ichesterfield.co.uk/images/3-boutique.png)
It was a lovely shop that catered for women who wanted something a bit special - so now it's all chain stores and everyone will dress the same.
If you didn't know much about the shop, this is from her website:
"Three Boutique is a ladies fashion store in the town centre of Chesterfield, Derbyshire, which I have run for the past 3 years.
Three Boutique believes in a very personal service, providing a fun & enjoyable shopping experience featuring both new styles and designs exclusive to Three Boutique.
If you want to be unique and individual this is a place to be ladies! On-trend fashion, with beautiful evening dresses, day dresses, casual wear to the most breath taking handbags, sparkly clutches that are to die for.
All of Three Boutiques stock is limited stock, so when it’s gone... it’s gone! This Guarantees no clashing, fresh on-trend fashions that are always new and exciting."
Sad day.
-
Where was the shop Pete, can't say I have noticed it
-
In the Yards/South Street.
-
Well the problem is no one knew about it! They chose the location, people are unaware of places now unless you're willing to incorporate social media as a free advertising platform.
You can't expect people these days who now neglect the town centre that when they do nip into town they are expected to walk down an alleyway to find a shop that has done no self promotion and advertising! Like the shop called sister on saltergateI think they moved to sheffield. Restaurants are doing social media to keep in your head and pushing their product at us. No excuses! The days of coming into town for a browse are dying. we know what we want and we won't know where you are unless you show us.
-
I'm afraid that's not quite true, I used to follow her on Twitter when I ran the iChesterfield website. She always posted whenever new stock arrived.
-
I think you need more than that now if you don't have great footfall and you're not on a main path. Everyday I get updates from hair salons and deli's and restaurants etc through FB Instagram half the time it's not about what they are selling its them doing a competition or mentioning something funny or supporting an event in Chesterfield. The thing is the first word you read is their shop name, it's all about staying in your head. It's the norm now embrace it or die. The future customers of town the current 13-16 year olds half of them if asked won't know where falcon yard is for example or maybe the shambles even.
-
Well, we could debate this all night, but my love is for Chesterfield not a ladies shop - its a great town.
I can't comment on the lady who runs Three Boutique, only how it makes me feel.
I like to be positive about town and promote it as much as I can.
So, a sad day for me but maybe not for you, that's fine.
-
It is sad Pete, and I respect your involvement with Chesterfield. If people want to open a shop in an intricate part of chesterfield town centre and expect people to pay to park their car, the 3 seconds it takes to walk past your shop and on the basis of what you have in the Window Walk in and purchase a product? this is nieve thinking these days from shopkeepers. It won't pay the rates and rent on this mentality.
-
I understand that too. I started my own business, borrowed a large amount of money and gambled it all on being a success. So I know about financial reality - it's bit my arse a time or two.
To progress the disscusion... How do you see the town centre developing over the short, medium and long term? Maybe I worry too much.
-
Well the problem is no one knew about it! They chose the location, people are unaware of places now unless you're willing to incorporate social media as a free advertising platform.
You can't expect people these days who now neglect the town centre that when they do nip into town they are expected to walk down an alleyway to find a shop that has done no self promotion and advertising! Like the shop called sister on saltergateI think they moved to sheffield. Restaurants are doing social media to keep in your head and pushing their product at us. No excuses! The days of coming into town for a browse are dying. we know what we want and we won't know where you are unless you show us.
I agree with you there Woohoo, maybe an A board on the main pavement? Unless they had one and I missed that as well
-
I'm off to a meeting next week to hear the council's Neil Johnson, Development and Growth Manager on Developments in Chesterfield. Maybe we will get some info from that, I'll post anything interesting on here.
Added:
Just found this on the publicity for the event; "It will be an interesting talk as town centre plans are being refined and developments are coming forward. We should learn more about the reuse of the Coop store, along with other unused buildings; reconfiguring stall market and what may be built on the site of the AGD car park. It is also an opportunity to have your say about the town. There will be a presentation by the new Conservation Officer, too."
-
I'm off to a meeting next week to hear the council's Neil Johnson, Development and Growth Manager on Developments in Chesterfield. Maybe we will get some info from that, I'll post anything interesting on here.
Nice one Pete (y)
-
I'm hoping it does - we'll see.
-
I doubt it will provide many answers simply because the council can have very little influence. For example if tomorrow morning M&S Boots and Primark all decided to close their town centre shops in favour of building a new retail park on the spare land next to B&Q and the town centre is dead and there's nothing the council could do about it.
-
And on that cheerful note....
Actually I've met one of the speakers before and he said a few things in confidence that I'm hoping are for public consumption after tomorrow.
-
Yeah but I've seen it all before. I proof read and edited a 56 page document about 10 years ago, written by the then conservation officer detailing plans for regenerating the town centre, all the run from the railway station up Stephenson Place/Cavendish Street down High Street into the market place. As we know, never happened.
-
We seem to be in a time now where shopping is internet or drive to a large car park and trolley goods back to the car after shopping.
Chesterfield can't offer that, it is also quite spread out retail wise which may put some people off.
Ok on a dry day and if you don't have mobility problems I suppose.
Once upon a time we would say the market needs to cater for the younger generation as they have the money to spend - but have they got it these days.
We then take a leap to the older generation who would probably have a few pounds to spend around town, but are they able to trundle round the large area needed to be able to get round the shops.
WE all know something needs doing to give our town and it's Market a boost, I hope the meeting Pete is attending will shed some ight on possibilities for this to happen
-
Sorry Jon, but you'll never destroy my spirit of optimism.
To live a life that cynical must be quite sad.
My cup is half full - and I've got a lot of cups. :)
-
So just how much of the property in town is owned by the council, not private landlord ?
It sounds so easy to keep blaming the council.
-
I would guess that the majority of the shops are privately owned.
I seem to remember something being said that the council rates are the problem.
-
I think it will take the next 5-10 years to adjust and level out. More empty shops eventually will spiral down rents from private landlords. Any income is better than none if your shops been empty 2 years for example and an offer comes along about half the rate before I would accept it. Then I feel the council will have to follow suit. This will then make being a shop keeper viable at least give some hope of profit. On vicar lane the rents PA on some shops are one hundred and ten thousand pounds! This is river island size unit. I bet there are available leases for the size at half the price on another busy street around the corner.
-
I not cynical Pete I'm Pragmatic!! Business rates are collected by the council but they are set by government and all the income is sent to them. They then send some of it back to the council in the form of grants. I'm sure nothing would give the council greater pleasure than being able to reduce business rates on premises to stimulate the town centre but they can't do it.
-
I would guess that the majority of the shops are privately owned.
I seem to remember something being said that the council rates are the problem.
The council rents have been a problem for years Pete, maybe one of the reasons why as trades may have taken a dip the rent becomes too much - vicious circle.
-
Vicar Lane is / was owned by Centro Miller, its a private shopping complex , The Victoria Centre belongs to Metropolitan along with other properties along Knightsmiths Gate. The Low Pavements Mall, Market Hall and Low Pavements shop units facing the Market Place belong to the Council . The Crown and Cushion also belongs to the council ( its on a 99 year lease to the brewery) , Dents block in private hands, so its mixed ownership across the town the above are just examples I know of. Any plans for the towns retail sector need to take account of social and economic factors no easy task.
The Pavements centre was owned by a pension fund when it first opened so I'm not sure when or indeed if the council acquired it.
-
Nice one Pete (y)
Thumbs up from me too (y)