Re: 'Big-name retailers' for Town Centre?

Hinch Wed Jan 09, 2013 5:06 pm

Just had a hot tip that Jessops have signed up.

Atlas Thu Jan 10, 2013 12:49 am

Well why wouldn't they? They couldn't be any worse off could they? Let's hope they signed before the liquidators moved in. I could do with a knocked off - er sorry - knocked down price telephoto lens or two. Wink

Hinch Thu Jan 10, 2013 11:01 am

Have to say, Jessops Xmas adverts were very uninspiring. No really attractive deals.

In the end I got a great half-price deal on a Canon from Argos plus a £15 voucher.

A £200 camera for £85!

Hinch Thu Jan 10, 2013 4:28 pm

The ones I feel sorry for are the poor devils who got Jessop vouchers for Christmas. At the moment, the company is refusing to honour them.

I hope firms like Pennine Cameras will see an increase in their trade because of this although I find them quite expensive.

I did find the sales staff at Jessop quite well informed and helpful and usually willing to give you a decent deal if you bought two or three items.

I have found a lovely bloke who works between Royton and Austria who specialises in pre-owned cameras and who gives you great prices and good advice. Also a great camera repairman who works from home in Shaw.

Hinch Tue Jan 15, 2013 8:06 am

HMV also signed up!

mary ann Tue Jan 15, 2013 3:03 pm

Can we soon expect application for places from Pauldens, Afleck & Brown and Lewis's or even C & A Modes? Very Happy

Chill37 Tue Jan 15, 2013 4:24 pm

On the same day we get this from Oldham.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-manchester-21026830

Compared to what Rochdale is at currently. A leading Cllr telling a tiny white lie about big names signing up. Oh a possible £2.5m tax bill for a new front door to the Wheatsheaf.

So looking at this Oldham is getting prety much a whole new area around three new stops (admittingly built by MPT) for £1m more in time for the opening next year (fingers crossed) then it wil will cost us to drop two buildings for more waste land -oops sorry- car parks and one new front door. Oh and only one new Tram stop.

Am I missing something here.

Hinch Wed Jan 16, 2013 6:23 pm

Blockbuster just signed up!

Have to say, not too surprised at Blockbuster going down the tubes. They were just relying on the same product for years and years and let LoveFilm and even supermarkets sneak into the rental sector and give a better service.

I feel really sorry for the staff. The retail sector is experiencing such massive problems.

That is why I find the arrogance of RMBC to claim that they are signing people up by the bucketful particularly distasteful at the moment and clearly demonstrates just how out of touch they are with what is happening out there in the real world.

It's high time that RMBC climbed down off their high horse, acknowledge the terrible problems being experienced by retailers and tell us honestly how they see this affecting plans for the development of the town centre; preferably without the assistance of a piss-poor DVD-presentation that looks as if it was put together on a mobile-phone by a nine-year old.

Hinch Wed Jan 16, 2013 6:50 pm

mary ann wrote:Can we soon expect application for places from Pauldens, Afleck & Brown and Lewis's or even C & A Modes?

I still miss C&A Mary Ann. They sold some fantastic, well-made clobber at great prices. When I was doing my psychi training we got something called "mufti-allowance" and I remember going down with my almost £200 and blowing the lot which in those days bought you a lorra, lorra gear.

Guest Mon Jan 28, 2013 11:34 pm

mary ann wrote:Can we soon expect application for places from Pauldens, Afleck & Brown and Lewis's or even C & A Modes?

Dream On?

['World-class' £650million plans to build Manchester Airport City gets green light – 11,400 jobs to be created| Mancunian Matters

http://mancunianmatters.co.uk/content/18018002-world-class-%C2%A3650million-plans-build-manchester-airport-city-gets-green-light-%E2%80%93-1140

Along with developments like MediaCityUK, Lowry Outlet Mall and the Port Salford project, it seems that Major Retailers could already have preferred new business locations … bolstering the case for an honest RMBC ‘Plan B’ for Rochdale town centre.

Some believe that ‘getting worked up’ is very much about having a local Community Identity, with pride of name and location connections. To many, one of the very few satisfactions today lies by reference to Rochdale’s Town Hall. There’s nostalgia, if not much else.

The day of the retail high streets are reported to be over. Why doesn’t RMBC acknowledge this and stop the massive forward costs of 3 retail centres and two central (hilly) street ‘Visions?’

Does anyone think the green lights at the Airport and those other developments will provide jobs for Rochdale Borough residents ?

Hinch Tue Jan 29, 2013 9:01 am

No, but they will provide additional opportunities for Rochdale shoppers to head out of town and spend their money elsewhere.

If RMBC had any sense, they'd be burning the midnight oil and urgently reviewing their strategies in view of the current retailing climate and these further developments.

Time for another video presentation methinks.

Lights, camera, action. Cue Debbie O'Brien on One!

cyfrifia Tue Jan 29, 2013 10:00 am

Could, cost effectively, be a combined video production?
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2013/jan/28/campaign-deter-romanian-bulgarian-immigrants-farcical

Hinch Tue Jan 29, 2013 10:11 am

I follow Debbie O'Brien on Twitter, She describes herself thus:-

Debbie O'Brien, Rochdale Town Centre Manager (In case you were in any doubt!) Jack of all trades and master of none!!

533 following and 378 followers. @DebbieRochTCM

Sponsored content