Is the economy recovering???

[vkurup]

Well not a case of looking at financial and economic data... but just an observation from my high street.

Our high street has not been doing too well. Over the last few years we have had a string of charity shops open and there was a string of charity shops. I am not dissing what they do, but it was a bit depressing. But the council kicked in some regeneration last year, which was equally painful as parts of the town centre were boarded up.

This weekend went to pick some things up from the town centre and it looks all perky. Charity shops have been replaced by swanky cafes and seem to be very active. We now also have a Sushi shop and everyone looks busy..

Hows the view around the country?

 

[Rooter]

Newbury high street is great if you want a coffee! In town we have:

3 x costa
1 x starbucks
2 x cafe Nero
1 x pret a manger
1 x greggs
1 x #1 coffee
3 x local independents
2 x Cafes in dept stores (debenhams and John Lewis)
1 x Boswells

I am sure i am missing some too! But as yet, nowhere for decent Sushi! Lots of chain restaurants though! Ask, pizza express, Strada, Cote Brasserie, The tapas one, Prezzo, Bills etc etc etc


So come to Newbury if you are hungry or thirsty.

 

[Piece]

Godalming is fantastic, if you want:

Charity shop
Italian food
Opticians
Estate agents

Anything else, you'll need to go elsewhere!

 

[MegaSteve]

Not sure if charity shops making way for coffee bars is a true indication that the economy is on the up...

However, I did note walking to get the train home Monday evening, through the Park Royal entertainment zone, there were not too many empty places in the car parks... So, perhaps folks are using the 'spare cash' in their pockets, from the drop in fuel prices, to have an extra treat or two... Unfortunately, fuel is already going back up in price and that 'spare cash' will disappear again...

 

[Deleted Member 1156]

We now also have a Sushi shop and everyone looks busy..

Why does sushi make you look busy?

 

[patricks148]

Inverness is dying on its feet, mostly charity shops and pubs. Rents are sky high in the city centre and yet giving deals to out of town retailers... not really a surprise. Its known as Tesco Town

But in answer to your question.... No

 

[Lord Tyrion]

Sushi shops. You are so Southern. Get yourselves a Greggs pastie and man up.

Mixed up here. Sometimes looks good, sometimes not so. A bit on the edge I would say.

 

[GB72]

I think that the state of a High Street is a misleading factor. The High Street as the prime shopping venue is pretty much dead or, at least, on its last legs. People either want ease of access and convenience so go out of town or, if you are lazy like me, buy pretty much everything online. Many have no desire to go through the hassle of traffic, parking and crowds of people that used to typify a Saturday afternoon High Street. People either want quick and convenient which leads to online shopping or buying at the supermarket with the weekly shop, or they want a shopping experience and a day out which leads to the out of town retail park or shopping centre.
The way forward for town centres is to encourage something different, small independent shops that offer products and service not available elsewhere coupled with food/drink establishments would seem an option.

 

[Deleted member 15344]

Would rather see Charity shops doing well than "swanky cafes" and "sushi" bars.

 

[guest100718]

Well the FTSE is at a record high, GDP is past pre crisis levels.. so i'd say yes it is, but the Eurozone could still cause big problems.

 

[Rooter]

Why does sushi make you look busy?

You haven't seen me try and use chop Sticks!!

 

[vkurup]

Would rather see Charity shops doing well than "swanky cafes" and "sushi" bars.

I would rather see that we dont need Charity shops anymore as everyone is provided for..

 

[PhilTheFragger]

Its good to see that high streets are busier, but to my mind all the increases we see are in the service sector.
we need to see more manufacturing, with the products being sold here rather than importing from abroad.

Its getting better, but is it sustainable?

 

[G.U.R]

Newbury high street is great if you want a coffee! In town we have:

3 x costa
1 x starbucks
2 x cafe Nero
1 x pret a manger
1 x greggs
1 x #1 coffee
3 x local independents
2 x Cafes in dept stores (debenhams and John Lewis)
1 x Boswells

I am sure i am missing some too! But as yet, nowhere for decent Sushi! Lots of chain restaurants though! Ask, pizza express, Strada, Cote Brasserie, The tapas one, Prezzo, Bills etc etc etc


So come to Newbury if you are hungry or thirsty.

My eldest daughter has just started work at Vodafone HQ and they apparently have 3 Costas on site....anyway coffee is good, coffee is our friend. It has changed from about 10 years ago when every other shop in Newbury was an Estate Agent.

 

[Val]

Yes it's recovering and yes it's sustainable.

 

[Rooter]

My eldest daughter has just started work at Vodafone HQ and they apparently have 3 Costas on site....anyway coffee is good, coffee is our friend. It has changed from about 10 years ago when every other shop in Newbury was an Estate Agent.

LOL! My wifes boss turned up there to complain about the reception he was getting on his mobile! He was swiftly removed by security!! If only they knew he was in the times top 1000 rich list!

 

[G.U.R]

LOL! My wifes boss turned up there to complain about the reception he was getting on his mobile! He was swiftly removed by security!! If only they knew he was in the times top 1000 rich list!

Didn't he use the "don't you know who I am?" line lol

 

[vkurup]

Didn't he use the "don't you know who I am?" line lol

He did.. but they could not hear it ..... as the reception was not clear..

 

[Rooter]

Didn't he use the "don't you know who I am?" line lol

Don't think he had a chance before security escorted him off site! I was just amazed that he thought he could rock up at the global HQ and complain! different world he lives in!

 

[blackpuddinmonster]

Rochdale:




Ramsbottom:



Guess it depends were you live.
Less than 10 mile seperate these town centres.