BHS

Sput · Tue 13 May, 2008 15.21

Is something other than hope keeping these people in business, or is it just the Manchester store that's constantly deserted and run-down? I'm not complaining as such, since I was able to buy a designer kitchen bin for £36 (down from £90) since everything there seems to be on perpetual special offer. Aside from that, the shop appears to be pretty much filled with shit, the ceilings are dirty, half the lights don't work and their cctv cameras are those ones from the 80s that look like R2D2. Anyone care to offer their insights about this weird chain and how it continues to exist?

ashley b · Tue 13 May, 2008 15.50

Don't know, but they've just opened a new store at the "Barton Square" extension of the Trafford Centre. Also, in true Metropol tradition, they've rebranded recently. The logo now says the full titles, British Home Stores. Though I can't find any evidence of this logo online. The Trafford centre website lists BHS and British HOME Stores separately, I'm assuming they are the same company?

EDIT: Actually, you can see the new logo on a picture of a store half way down it's wikipedia article:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bhs

Sput · Tue 13 May, 2008 15.52

Oooh I remember seeing that now. Maybe it's their last ditch attempt to try and look cool. It always had a bad reputation when I was younger too.

Nini · Tue 13 May, 2008 15.54

Last of a dying breed I would guess. Department stores don't really exist anymore, closest you might get is John Lewis but not in any real terms beyond that.

Either your store is due an upgrade, dying on its' knees and unable to get a refurb (BHS stores are franchises) or ready to actually shut up shop.

Ebeneezer Scrooge · Tue 13 May, 2008 15.57

I have a feeling that the British HOME Stores are ones which concentrate on selling 'home' items. I think there's been one in Leeds for a while.

Sput · Tue 13 May, 2008 16.02

Nini wrote:Last of a dying breed I would guess. Department stores don't really exist anymore, closest you might get is John Lewis but not in any real terms beyond that.

well, House of Fraser and Debenhams. Manchester has Kendals but that might be a one-off.

ashley b · Tue 13 May, 2008 16.05

Sput wrote:well, House of Fraser and Debenhams. Manchester has Kendals but that might be a one-off.

Tsk, it's not Kendals anymore, it's been renamed House of Fraser now as well. And what about Selfridges?

Sput · Tue 13 May, 2008 16.12

ashley b wrote:
Sput wrote:well, House of Fraser and Debenhams. Manchester has Kendals but that might be a one-off.
Tsk, it's not Kendals anymore, it's been renamed House of Fraser now as well. And what about Selfridges?

THAT'S why I can't find it any more! I thought I'd gone senile. Thanks for clearing that up. Selfridges is one too, yes, but I daren't go in there as they beat up poor people and use their skin for handbags.

ashley b · Tue 13 May, 2008 16.18

Ahh, so it's not just me who has that issue with Selfridges then.

Pete · Tue 13 May, 2008 16.25

Don't forget TJ Hughes, which seems to have taken what BHS used to be, and turned it into a success.

Stuart* · Tue 13 May, 2008 16.28

ISTR that my Mum was quite keen on BHS because it was cheap for household items. The one in Plymouth is certainly still up and running, although I haven't been in it for years so couldn't comment on whether it's rundown inside. It's next to Debenhams and House of Fraser, which still both seem to be thriving.

The only time I ever go in HoF seems to be to meet people for a coffee. They have a café on the top floor, which has nice views across the city centre and is a convenient place to meet. Otherwise, I have the view (rightly or wrongly) that department stores are usually more expensive than more specialised shops.

Having said that, I did return to M&S recently when I wanted to buy a new suit. They have an excellent store which I could happily spend an hour or more wandering round.