Metropol

cwathen wrote: Sat 30 Mar, 2024 10.24

JAS84 wrote: Fri 29 Mar, 2024 23.25 Why would a reopened store need a temporary sign? Wouldn't the old one usually only be taken down when someone else takes over the premises? If this one was a Wilko before and has just been closed since the chain went bust, it shouldn't need a new sign, as the old one should already say Wilko on it.

Can't speak for that particular store, but many units will debrand as part of their closing down process. If that was done 'temporary sign' will be to cover planning permission liabilities, the new one may not be exactly the same as the old.

Well, my local Wilko didn't do that, the sign's still up. You can even still see the checkout desks through the windows with the old Wilkinson logo on them!

Retail parks often de-brand units following the closure of a unit, presumably it looks better to have an 'empty' unit than a closed one.

Meadowhall used to go to great efforts to completely hide closed store fronts, boxing the whole thing over - although I noticed during covid when they lost a whole wing between Debenhams, House of Fraser and all the Arcadia brands they stopped bothering. Probably would have been a naff effort with so many vacant units.

High street landlords almost always don't care though.

Not a high street store, but I just noticed that Oregon Scientific seems to have gone out of business. The UK company was struck off in February last year and there are no new products showing up on Amazon.

Bit of a shame that. Had a few of their weather stations and radio controlled clocks over the years. Only noticed because the weather station I’ve had for 15 years finally gave up and the external sensor stopped working and wanted a new one.

Carpet Right's about to go into administration.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/ckkgl3zz1v6o

So that's the end of their infamous Shatliffed signs

I miss their dodgy 90's branding. Shame they replaced it a few years back.

There was an interview last week with one of The Range management about Wilko.

The original six stores, the last being Poole which opened last week were 'concept stores' to see how they'd perform and they've tweaked their stock to match what the old Wilko was strong on sales for, such as toiletries and cleaning products. (One of the biggest faults with the old Wilko in recent years was they were too strong on selling overpriced furniture over essentials). All six stores are now revenue earning.

The Range now want to open 300 Wilko branded stores across the UK with Liverpool and Manchester being strong on their radar.

London is the biggest area for Wilko.com online sales, so they also want to come back to the capital as well.

Martin Phillp wrote: Sun 18 Aug, 2024 16.15 All six stores are now revenue earning.

This literally just means they are taking money, which is different to making money.

TGI Fridays enter administration.

It was after all ridiculously expensive for a plate of food no better than you’d get in weatherspoons

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/czrm7z5n0y1o

The first Wilko in London will be in Uxbridge, opening in their old site at the The Pavilions Shopping Centre on November 22nd.

TGI Fridays has come out of administration, being acquired by Breal Capital and Calveton UK with 51 restaurants saved.

Looks like Homebase is heading for administration. The Range are reportedly looking to take a chunk of it as a pre-pack sale.
Source: https://news.sky.com/story/the-range-cl ... e-13253495