UK bankruptcies in the news

Vortex · Post by **Vortex** » 07 Jan 2009, 15:21

A local business man who is well into local politics has just hinted to me that our local Smiths, Boots, Currys and one unnamed other (Jessops?) will be gone from our poxy local High Street within the next 8 weeks.

IanG · Post by **IanG** » 07 Jan 2009, 15:26

emordnilap wrote:
snow hope wrote:One of my sons bought a Pizza there last night and it had gone up from £8 to £10 since he had last bought one (some time ago). Needless to say he said he wouldn't be going back again.
Ten pounds for bread and cheese! Yikes and double yikes!

Your missing the delightful service and atmosphere!

Vortex · Post by **Vortex** » 07 Jan 2009, 15:29

Vortex wrote:A local business man who is well into local politics has just hinted to me that our local Smiths, Boots, Currys and one unnamed other (Jessops?) will be gone from our poxy local High Street within the next 8 weeks.

Just announced: Number 4 seems to be M&S Food.

skeptik · Post by **skeptik** » 07 Jan 2009, 15:39

Last man standing - Asda aka Wal-Mart ?

aaaargh!

Vortex wrote: Just announced: Number 4 seems to be M&S Food.

Died in Spain several years ago, quite deservedly, as they made no concession to local taste or style.

For some reason nobody wanted to buy their rotten overpriced plastic wrapped sliced white pap cheese and pickle sandwiches. Actually to anybody who's eaten a freshly made bocadillo de serrano y tomate, it's obvious why they folded.

biffvernon · Post by **biffvernon** » 07 Jan 2009, 16:56

I once had a Vyella shirt.

Bandidoz · Post by **Bandidoz** » 07 Jan 2009, 17:13

skeptik wrote:
Aurora wrote: Does anyone else see W H Smith as the next high street failure? Their shops always seem to be devoid of customers.
They seem to me to have been suffering an identity crisis for years. They're doing too many things in a mediocre way rather than concentrating on doing one well. Bookshop? I wouldn't go there looking for a book - their range is too small and decidedly low/middlebrow. Stationers? There are other chains on the high street that do a better job. Ditto CD/DVD.

Magazines - though Borders are similarly well-stocked.

Post by **clv101** » 12 Jan 2009, 21:19

clv101 wrote:MFI, Woolworths, Whittards, The Officers Club and Zavvi.

Is any one keeping track of this?

Looks like we can add Land of Leather and Sofa Workshop to the list:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/7824133.stm

Others I see on the BBC website:
Dundee-based delicatessen McLeish Brothers
Waterford Wedgwood
The clothing firm Viyella
Aberdeen-based oil exploration company Oilexco North Sea Ltd
Electrical firm Miller Brothers
Perfume seller Passion for Perfume
Women's clothing store chain Morgan
Childrenswear retailer Adams
Car parts supplier Sonas Automotive
Worcestershire ceramic hob manufacturer Ceramaspeed
Pinnacle Entertainment, which distributes music from independent record labels and runs a download website
Swindon-based Folio Hotels
London Scottish Bank

biffvernon · Post by **biffvernon** » 12 Jan 2009, 21:23

Most shops are not chains, and will never feature in any list if they close.

RenewableCandy · Post by **RenewableCandy** » 12 Jan 2009, 21:31

clv101 wrote: Is any one keeping track of this?
...
Women's clothing store chain Morgan

Pity, they were actually rather good (though that was ages ago, not been there for years)

Post by **clv101** » 24 Jan 2009, 11:14

clv101 wrote:
clv101 wrote:MFI, Woolworths, Whittards, The Officers Club and Zavvi.
Is any one keeping track of this?

Looks like we can add Land of Leather and Sofa Workshop to the list:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/7824133.stm

Others I see on the BBC website:
Dundee-based delicatessen McLeish Brothers
Waterford Wedgwood
The clothing firm Viyella
Aberdeen-based oil exploration company Oilexco North Sea Ltd
Electrical firm Miller Brothers
Perfume seller Passion for Perfume
Women's clothing store chain Morgan
Childrenswear retailer Adams
Car parts supplier Sonas Automotive
Worcestershire ceramic hob manufacturer Ceramaspeed
Pinnacle Entertainment, which distributes music from independent record labels and runs a download website
Swindon-based Folio Hotels
London Scottish Bank

Less than two weeks on and a few more to add:
Seafood chain FishWorks
The Real Hotel Company, which operates dozens of hotels in the UK and Europe
Cornwall's tourist attraction, historic Bodmin Jail
Owner of jewellery brands Symington's and Red Contemporary
Racecourse at Great Leighs
Nortel UK after US parent went under (this is a biggie, 2000 jobs)
Ruyby club Rochdale Hornets

Andy Hunt · Post by **Andy Hunt** » 24 Jan 2009, 11:33

I've heard a rumour that Halfords have gone, but I can't find anything about it on the web.

Erik · Post by **Erik** » 24 Jan 2009, 11:55

The list is probably endless.

St. Huberts food distribution "for immediate disposal"...

contadino · Post by **contadino** » 24 Jan 2009, 11:56

Andy Hunt wrote:I've heard a rumour that Halfords have gone, but I can't find anything about it on the web.

That would be a shock, as they reported higher than forecast profits not too long ago as bicycle sales had rocketed.

ETA: Well, not quite a forecast beating performance, but still strong...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/7648087.stm

Erik · Post by **Erik** » 24 Jan 2009, 12:01

Andy Hunt wrote:I've heard a rumour that Halfords have gone, but I can't find anything about it on the web.

Not very clear for the moment. Lots of websites are saying stuff like:

HALFORDS: Group like-for- like sales were down 7.8% in the 13 weeks to December 26 following a sharp fall in revenues from in-car satellite navigation systems. But the chain benefited from a rise in sales of car maintenance products and increased use of bikes for commuting.

or similar.

Erik · Post by **Erik** » 24 Jan 2009, 12:12

clv101 wrote: Cornwall's tourist attraction, historic Bodmin Jail

They could still have a future, perhaps in a less "touristic" role...