High Street chain collapse sweepstake

[gottago]

I noticed in the run up to Christmas that The Entertainer has started opening on Sundays for the first time. I assumed that might have been an indication that they might be on the rocks a bit but turns out the family that owned it transferred full control to an employee owned trust who then pretty much immediately scrapped the Sunday rule back in September. Supposedly it's a trial till Easter but can't imagine there's any going back.

As an aside I'm amazed Sunday trading laws continue under this government given the push for growth via any means they've pursued at various points.

[WillPS]

I noticed in the run up to Christmas that The Entertainer has started opening on Sundays for the first time. I assumed that might have been an indication that they might be on the rocks a bit but turns out the family that owned it transferred full control to an employee owned trust who then pretty much immediately scrapped the Sunday rule back in September. Supposedly it's a trial till Easter but can't imagine there's any going back.

I think they are in trouble, time will tell but the way the sale was orchestrated looks to me suspiciously like the owners realised the destination and figured out a way they could extract value as the chain descends down the doom loop without risking Wilkinson family style criticism about their failure to invest/greed. I could be wrong.

When I worked there (20 years ago now, crikey) the assumption was that the owner's children were being lined up to take over the mothership. I think one of them had been given the 'gadget shop' brand (purchased out of administration) to run.

Even then there was a real concern that the market for toys was shrinking - both because of population changes but moreso because junior school aged children, boys in particular, were increasingly not bothered about toys. More space was given over to girls toys but in the decades since I think the same largely applies to both genders; once they get a screen of their own that tends to cover their entertainment demands. And parents are often happy to not have the mess.

As an aside I'm amazed Sunday trading laws continue under this government given the push for growth via any means they've pursued at various points.

Much as I would love to see Sunday trading abolished there's little demand for it from retailers. The current situation suits them as they essentially have all the trade they'd get in a day compressed in to 6 staff hours. Most of the Sunday enhancements went as minimum wage was hiked, so if Sunday trading was relaxed they'd end up with a higher wage bill with hardly any extra takings.

Recent movements have been toward reducing opening hours in general for the same reason. It wouldn't surprise me to see more shops moving towards Sunday-type hours all week; whenever I go shopping first thing anywhere it's always dead, even in the run up to Christmas.

[BBC TV Centre]

As an aside I'm amazed Sunday trading laws continue under this government given the push for growth via any means they've pursued at various points.

Much as I would love to see Sunday trading abolished there's little demand for it from retailers. The current situation suits them as they essentially have all the trade they'd get in a day compressed in to 6 staff hours. Most of the Sunday enhancements went as minimum wage was hiked, so if Sunday trading was relaxed they'd end up with a higher wage bill with hardly any extra takings.

Recent movements have been toward reducing opening hours in general for the same reason. It wouldn't surprise me to see more shops moving towards Sunday-type hours all week; whenever I go shopping first thing anywhere it's always dead, even in the run up to Christmas.

I think it's also the type of opening hours. Shops need to be open when the majority of people that are economically active can visit the store and make purchases - in Asia shops/restaurants stay open well into the night - maybe sometimes operating on a West-End style opening time, opening from about midday (or maybe an hour or so earlier, say 11:00) to closing at 20:00/21:00.
I see a lot of shops locally that are pretty much lifestyle businesses for the owners, and quite a few fail and they often blame the lack of support, but then again, how can you expect people to support your business if you're open during the times when people are working, and have variable hours based upon the way the wind is blowing?

[Martin Phillp]

I had to pop into Sainsbury's to collect a microwave from Argos at 10am on New Year's Day and not surprisingly it was quiet in the supermarket and the Argos concession. In Argos there was only a customer collecting Vax shampoo and me.

Argos itself had opened at 8am on NYD at the same time as Sainsbury's.

[thegeek]

TGI Fridays are to close 16 sites:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cz7yl53e11do

I don't think I realised that they've got four branches in Glasgow - all have survived the chop for now. The city centre branch dates back to 1993, and I feel like I've probably not been to any of the branches since then.

[Dr Lobster*]

TGI Fridays are to close 16 sites:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cz7yl53e11do

I don't think I realised that they've got four branches in Glasgow - all have survived the chop for now. The city centre branch dates back to 1993, and I feel like I've probably not been to any of the branches since then.

Yeah not surprised, it’s basically a weatherspoons meal for 3 times the price.

[BBC TV Centre]

Unsurprising, tastes change, as do the markets. I suppose it used to be a thing to go to TGI's, Frankie/Bennys or Pizza Hut for your birthday growing up etc. It's round 2 for TGI's being in trouble, which isn't ever a good sign that the chain is strong or popular. Mind you, looking at some of the prices they're charging you won't get much change out of £100 if you take a family for a meal out.

My other bet this year will be some restaurants within the Big Table Group. The people that bought out Bella Italia/Chiquito/Frankies & Benny's etc. All very uninspiring average offerings yet with the ever-growing costs in the hospitality industry, and people's disposable income shrinking people are more selective/lazy with where they spend disposable income.

[james2001]

That one in Doncaster hasn't even been there particularly long either. Used to go there after skating at the dome.

Last time we went, the bloke serving us seemed to be having a bad day as he had a right attitude.

[Alexia]

Haven't been to TGI's for years. Last time I went was the big one in Cardiff and it was horrendous. Hour wait for food, one starter never turned up and the cost was beyond even what I would have deemed barely acceptable at Frankie & Benny's.

[all new Phil]

Businesses will tell themselves it’s all gone to shit because of business rates, cost of staff etc etc. The reality is people are eating out less because it’s so bloody expensive these days. Somewhere like TGI used to be buzzing with activity on an evening, now they’re twice the price they were 10 years ago while none of us are twice as well off.

If it was cheaper, more people would be eating out. If more people were eating out, costs would come down. I used to work somewhere where we cut all the prices, got mega busy, and made more money overall. It feels like that mindset has been lost.

[Dr Lobster*]

Indeed - we used to eat out at least once a week, sometimes mid-week - - plus a light lunch with th kids on a Saturday and it was always reasonable. I’m talking 10-15 years ago now.

We probably go once a month on average now at most.

Also the culture of tipping and service charges pisses me off. Like £20 quid for fucking sausage and mash isn’t enough already.

Also, I whilst waiting for the train on a Friday afternoon, I’d sometime find myself having a sneaky pint…. But not any more at £8. Absolute madness.