Closing Down So Sad

[Glammanana]

On the news this morning it was announced that House of Fraser are closing 30 stores nationally and one of them will be my local store here in Birkenhead which will really be a massive loss to the shopping centre,it is a huge old building and has been a department store for many many years similar to the old Lewis's in Liverpool.
You can buy just anything in there all the best labels for weddings etc and just the nicest make-up counters with consultants who don't pressure you to buy.
We are going down the route of throw a way clothing I feel as the local M&S also closed down 2 months ago nearest now is either Chester or Liverpool.
I feel so sorry for all the job losses some have worked their for 30+ yrs.

[Plantaholic]

Our very large House of Fraser is one of the stores to close, it is in a prime position in the shopping centre, I can't understand why it is not busy and wonder who will take it over. We still have a large M&S, not surprised they are not doing well, the clothes are awful. Only the food and cafe are busy.

[Daisy]

Glamm - what a shame and awful for the staff who are affected. It seems as though the big chains aren't doing so well - Debenhams has been closing stores as well.

But thinking about your comment on M&S closing your local store, Glam - it seems as though shops are going back to how they were when we were younger. You had to go to a 'big' town for the big-name stores. Even in Stoke, where I grew up, there was only a small M&S and two privately owned department stores. A couple of times a year I used to go by train to Manchester or Birmingham for a 'big shop' for summer or winter clothes. There was very little choice locally.

[Enfys]

The one here in Bournemouth is going too. Such a shame, all,the lovely big stores will soon be gone.

[Gemini]

I heard that on the news, it is sad. Many shops have closed down around here.

[Qwerty]

Can’t believe one of the most popular ones to close is Oxford Street or is it not as busy as I imagine !

[Glammanana]

Qwerty I was shocked to hear about Oxford Street they must be in real financial difficulties to consider closing a prime location I wonder who would be able to take over such a large space.I can see Debenhams being the next one and they have a beautiful store at Liverpool 1.

[Nanto2girls]

Never been a fan house of Fraser, but i feel sorry for all those jobs being lost.

[Clover]

Nanto,I’m of the same opinion as you.Sorry for job losses but I’m not a department store fan.

[WeeGranny]

I've been in the HoF near you Plant and was very disappointed in it. If all their stores are like that I'm not surprised they're closing. It's sad though when shops like that close and it seems to be happening quite a lot at the moment.

[Qwerty]

Qwerty I was shocked to hear about Oxford Street they must be in real financial difficulties to consider closing a prime location I wonder who would be able to take over such a large space.I can see Debenhams being the next one and they have a beautiful store at Liverpool 1.

Yes I was surprised too Glam as it was their flagship store !

[Daisy]

I was surprised at first about the Oxford Street store closing, but can you imagine how much that costs to run on such a prime site and how much they have to pay to attract staff who probably have to spend a huge part of their wages on travelling to work.

I've only been into a HofF store once, as far as I can remember, and I recall it was rather gloomy with very old-fashioned boring clothes. I may be doing the a disservice but that's my recollection.

I'm mentioned before that the small town where my DS2 has his shop has a thriving privately-owned department store. It's always buzzing with people, and even the furniture department which is slightly off the beaten track seems to keep going successfully. Over the last 10 years they have modernised it, re-organised it and have opened a very good kitchen department. The stock is fresh and up to date and they know their local market very well. I rarely go in there and come out empty handed. Empty-purse-ed is another matter!!

I wonder if some of these huge chains have top-heavy management as well as sky high rents.