It’s the same as how McDonalds stopped displaying the full menu at the drive thru, instead it’s just an animated screen showing a few key lines they want to push at that time.Alexia wrote: Thu 04 Dec, 2025 18.29 On a semi related note:
if coffee chains continue to replace static behind-counter above-eyeline menus (that can be browsed pretty much at leisure while in a queue) with "dynamic" TV screens that rotate between three or four pages 20 seconds apart, one of those pages being a fecking advert, like some demented dystopian Teletext carousel, thus forcing folk who are not intimately familiar with every one of the drinks on offer to quickly scan the menu in something not a million miles away from a panic, then they will lose custom from casual, drop in, occasional visitors; especially at this time of year when those of use who aren't slaves to their caffeine-based restoratives may fancy something nutty, minty or orangey as a treat.
Whoever thought they were a good idea needs something cold and sticky dropped down the back of their shirt.
High Street chain collapse sweepstake
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Martin Phillp
- Posts: 1594
- Joined: Wed 11 May, 2011 01.28
Post Office Ltd have completed their conversion of directly managed POs formerly known as Crown POs to the franchise model.
The final PO to convert was Inverness which is now being operated by the Co-Op.
https://www.mynewsdesk.com/uk/post-offi ... hes-503734
The final PO to convert was Inverness which is now being operated by the Co-Op.
https://www.mynewsdesk.com/uk/post-offi ... hes-503734
TVF's London Lite.
Not quite sure whether this is happening more widely or not, but Weston-super-Mare was to lose it's Poundland as it was included in the 100ish stores they planned to close late 2025/early 2026.
It had a closure date of 24 December, the stock was firesaled through quickly reaching 80% off and the shelves stripped bare enough that it closed a day early...then as it was closing down staff were putting signs back up stating that it will reopen in January.
Local MPs, councillors, people who sign petitions and social media 'influencers' are all taking credit for having managed to save it, but officially only a 'last minute deal' is mentioned.
Not sold off to anyone, still a Poundland, it'll presumably just be restocked and reopen like nothing had happened. Are the closures (or at least some of them) a stunt to try to force the landlord to renegotiate on rents? If so, in this case it worked.
It had a closure date of 24 December, the stock was firesaled through quickly reaching 80% off and the shelves stripped bare enough that it closed a day early...then as it was closing down staff were putting signs back up stating that it will reopen in January.
Local MPs, councillors, people who sign petitions and social media 'influencers' are all taking credit for having managed to save it, but officially only a 'last minute deal' is mentioned.
Not sold off to anyone, still a Poundland, it'll presumably just be restocked and reopen like nothing had happened. Are the closures (or at least some of them) a stunt to try to force the landlord to renegotiate on rents? If so, in this case it worked.
Meanwhile, Liverpool Poundland actually is closing, after a fairly recent move to a new unit on Lord Street (which itself was done a while after its unit on Williamson Square closed).
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GeekyJames
- Posts: 31
- Joined: Sun 09 Sep, 2018 22.14
We had the same with Poundland in Southampton city centre, the landlord was increasing the rent and so Poundland was going to close the store on 31st December, there was a closing down sale but then last week they advised new terms were agreed after all and the store is staying open!
Same in Andover as well.GeekyJames wrote: Thu 01 Jan, 2026 22.37 We had the same with Poundland in Southampton city centre, the landlord was increasing the rent and so Poundland was going to close the store on 31st December, there was a closing down sale but then last week they advised new terms were agreed after all and the store is staying open!
Fairly common with retailers of all sizes, I've seen it with HMV (under previous ownership) and all the Ashley-owned brands. House of Fraser Nottingham had 3 closing down sales in 6 years before finally closing last October. Behave like you are closing, because if nothing changes then you are. Landlord gets a chance to find a new tenant, often realises none is forthcoming then does a last minute deal so they don't become liable for the rates themselves. Even if it's zero rent for a bit.cwathen wrote: Mon 29 Dec, 2025 13.06 Not sold off to anyone, still a Poundland, it'll presumably just be restocked and reopen like nothing had happened. Are the closures (or at least some of them) a stunt to try to force the landlord to renegotiate on rents? If so, in this case it worked.
It's not a bluff or a stunt if you're willing to go through with it, and there's not much point trying to trade when you've sold all your stock.
Modella send Claire's and TOFS back in to administration: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c78v6v0j8v4o.amp
Shortest gap between administrations ever?
Some kind of dodge?
Shortest gap between administrations ever?
Some kind of dodge?
It would have been one of the handful of exceptions agreed at the time of the takeover, as there is a stipulation preventing any store closures or CVA for a year from the takeover.cwathen wrote: Tue 06 Jan, 2026 16.45 On other Modella Capital related news, the TJ Jones store in Wellington has closed down. This was one of the handful to get a full refit too.
https://www.retailgazette.co.uk/blog/20 ... buyer-ban/
Presumably landlord had already indicated lease wouldn't be renewed. At least one shop was actually rebranded to TG Jones mid-closing down sale, which must be a first.