M&S Accrington

[Less]

Originally Posted by DtheP47

Be interesting to see how big a car park they will build if any.

What use will any car park be when they will probably do similar to what they have done to the existing car park, turn a third of it over to disabled spaces that are always empty because the disabled don't need them, with a blue badge they can park were they want.

[Accyexplorer]

I look forward to the new (mega) pound shop.

[Guinness]

Guess where it's going...not the 'High St', but a...retail park.

Guess which is the only 'shopping' town in the area without one. Blackburn and Burnley councils (whilst building their own), hornswaggled our council into spending money to stop the only viable one we could have had. Bet M&S would have been one of the first to open up on there.

If you destroy a market with character and replace it with a few stalls situated in a wind tunnel open to the elements, if you 'renovate' a quaint old market hall and remove its atmosphere, if you destroy a massive free car park and replace it with a leaking, stinking, concrete monstrosity, if you plan to cordon off the centre from cars and move the bus station, if you fail to accept that most people prefer retail parks for a variety of reasons, if you have constant roadworks on access routes, if you remove benches instead of drunks whilst actively encouraging the latter under the guise of 'charity', if you have to resort to wallpapering shop windows to give the appearance of bustling...

If you did any one of these the town could be in trouble..

When you incompetently do them all the town is screwed beyond hope..is anyone seriously surprised that yet another shop is moving out?

[DtheP47]

Originally Posted by Less

What use will any car park be when they will probably do similar to what they have done to the existing car park, turn a third of it over to disabled spaces that are always empty because the disabled don't need them, with a blue badge they can park were they want.

Which car park has 30% disabled spaces?

[colin sagar]

Its a sad loss but never crowded always seemed a short cut from arndale to broadway by mos people ?

[Neil]

Originally Posted by stetrovers

Devastating, maybe Ossy Mills will do the same as when Woolworth's shut down, and take on the vacated unit.

How long did that last?

[Neil]

Originally Posted by lancsdave

Because the most frequent bus service out of Accrington is the one to Rawtenstall




No medals needed, I have a plan, unlike the council

Is your plan as cunning as a fox what used to be Professor of Cunning at Oxford University but has moved on and is now working for the U.N. at the High Commission of International Cunning Planning?

[Neil]

Originally Posted by Guinness

....if you plan to cordon off the centre from cars....

What are you people on about when you moan about Accringtons tiny almost pedestrianised bit, it must be one of the easiest towns to drive around. Have you been to Blackburn? Try and get near the shops in your car. Burnley is the same and they are both doing well. We have more free parking than anywhere I can think of and it's so handy and close to the shops.

[Mick]

Yep Dave is moving Giftprint into the empty M&S store
It will be Giftprint superstore

[Chewbacca]

It is not surprising with Accrington in 'managed decline'. The food was too expensive for the average Accy consumer, and when looking for a pair of new trousers a couple of years ago they had none bar slacks aimed at older people and school uniform.

It wasn't the best M&S, and for an improved one Accy probably isn't the right location. Maybe we could have a B&M Superstore like Preston, a double B&M offer would be exciting.

[Neil]

Might not be as daft an idea as it sounds Mick. It works at Ossy Mills. The Arndale could use Ossy Mills as a model and move some of the smaller shops into the one bigger shop. Would probably increase footfall for many of them and could reduce shop owners overheads.

Obviously there will be pro's and con's like with everything

[Neil]

Originally Posted by Chewbacca

It is not surprising with Accrington in 'managed decline'. The food was too expensive for the average Accy consumer, and when looking for a pair of new trousers a couple of years ago they had none bar slacks aimed at older people and school uniform.

It wasn't the best M&S, and for an improved one Accy probably isn't the right location. Maybe we could have a B&M Superstore like Preston, a double B&M offer would be exciting.

Call it all you want but M&S is the only thing keeping the Arndale open. They were the Arndale's proof that big name shops were viable in Accrington. When it goes it won't be long before the Arndale closes.

[Chewbacca]

Originally Posted by Neil

Call it all you want but M&S is the only thing keeping the Arndale open. They were the Arndale's proof that big name shops were viable in Accrington. When it goes it won't be long before the Arndale closes.

Or Hyndburn could do what Chorley did, and they don't have an M&S but a full shopping centre now.

BBC News - Chorley Council avoids cuts with profits from Market Walk

[maxthecollie]

Originally Posted by Chewbacca

Or Hyndburn could do what Chorley did, and they don't have an M&S but a full shopping centre now.

BBC News - Chorley Council avoids cuts with profits from Market Walk

I,m sure our fantastic Clowncil can magic money to buy the Arndale, after all they magiced money for the new not needed bus station.

[Chewbacca]

Originally Posted by maxthecollie

I,m sure our fantastic Clowncil can magic money to buy the Arndale, after all they magiced money for the new not needed bus station.

They can borrow off the PWLB at much lower rates than a private investor and the income would pay it off, even make a profit. The bus station is different as there is no direct income.

Better than everyone going to Blackburn, but it would take a lot of viability work etc I assume.