catastrophic news for my business is that I found out today that Cross's in Castle Street is closing! No-one has their range of items so we will have to rely on the travelling salesman! Unfortunately its that instant purchase like I just had to make to get a job out today that will be unavailable.
I guess it could turn into another flat - which I believe is what the DDC really want here!
Guest 684- Registered: 26 Feb 2009
- Posts: 635
That's a real shame. Another commercial death knell sounds.
Remember the days of Weavers, Geerings et al? Seems like another world now.
Sad news indeed David. Crosses is the best place to go for all things stationary, art etc.
Terry Nunn
- Location: London Road, Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 4,302
Yes, spotted that earlier David. Mind you it would have helped if they'd opened on Saturdays. Still we've got until June.
Terry
Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?
Guest 655- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,247
I have always used one of my clients who runs a stationary business in Whitstable, they deliver and provide a great service. Sad to see another local business close though.
Guest 653- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,540
Very sad news indeed - is it final or is there a chance of a reprieve - more/better promotion perhaps.
Is it just the Dover shop closing ? if so, why Dover. I understand they have a few other branches in East Kent.
Local businesses need reassurances that they will be supported and what is proposed to support them - in all ways; but when ?
How many more shops/businesses feel they are on their own and may as well close ?
Roger
Its just the Dover shop closing I understand. But I am also guilty of not giving them all my business/ or is it they dont fit modern practice? We have reps calling almost daily with cut price offers so that my secretary just choses out of a book and its delivered within 24 hours.
Lessons and comparables to be learnt here. Its like internet purchases. A business must learn what the market wants and adapt to that. purchasing is becoming global with the internet and with parking, fuel and other restrictions such as time pressures.
The kind of shop that now makes up the town will be driven by different forces.
One of my favourite shops now closed was the Catering outlet Acme at buckland it had a super range of stuff for parties and cooks. I buy it on the internet now as I dont know of a comparable shop.
In any case , and it applies to my business as well, the day of the small one man band is limited. After HIPs they are bringing in rules now which will make it exceedingly difficult to continue as a small practice. Of course lead by the banner of the big London based companies that set the rules and would drive the little shop out of business. The day of the small surveying practice is finite too - thank goodness so is mine!
Guest 655- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,247
People have been declaring the end of the small IFA as well, for many years, and still are, but we find ways to survive and thrive. One way has been networks, some of which are no more than big businesses dressed up as a series of small businesses, but others like mine really are what they are meant to be. Maybe the answer for small surveying practises lays in that direction David.
Interestingly in my field of business by far the greatest number of complaints according to the ombudsman is with the larger companies. The small IFAs achieve the highest client satisfaction levels.
Small businesses will always find ways.
Guest 656- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 2,262
That's a terrible shame I buy lots of stuff in Cross's, for the girls school projects etc. Also, unfortunately Castle Street are losing another business, BKRW, the solicitors where Saskia does her work experience for criminal law are closing the Dover office and moving the staff lock, stock and barrel to their Folkestone office.
Sad news all round.
Guest 682- Registered: 19 Jan 2009
- Posts: 146
I was informed from one source that pressure is being put on by the freeholder and that Cross's have been asking about other premises - don't know how true it is though.
Maybe, as Chairman of the Csstle Street Society, David you could ask some questions.
Shops and other businesses close for many reasons but one I commonly hear in this area is out of towm landlords charging London rate rents and don't forget the new level of tax just imposed by those at Westminster who have also just increased the tax on fuel announced 6 months ago.
I have and the answer is in the negative.
Guest 653- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,540
As you say Nigel, there are many reasons why shops close, but in most cases, it must basically be because they don't have enough customers and their costs are too high.
Rent and rates do play a big part of their costs; maybe Cross's weren't selling what their customers wanted, maybe their prices were too high, maybe a discount, perhaps like some sort of Loyalty Scheme (now there's a thought), even if only amongst other local businesses.
As I used to say many times and of course it is so true: USE IT OR LOSE IT - and we're losing it (the High Street).
Roger
Ross Miller
- Location: London Road, Dover
- Registered: 17 Sep 2008
- Posts: 3,696
That is a real shame, it is a shop we like and use when we need stationery, art materials etc.
"Dream as if you'll live forever. Live as if you'll die today." - James Dean
"Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength,
While loving someone deeply gives you courage" - Laozi
No - not Crosses!!!! There are so few local outlets for my art stuff. Perhaps if they had advertised a bit better? Castle street is a little out of the way for those who visit the town centre. What a disappointment!
Guest 653- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,540
I went to Cross's when I was running the Loyalty Scheme asking them about joining up and being promoted/marketed in all the usual channels, but was told they are very successful thank you and no we don't want to join.
Most businesses can afford the cost of a pint of lager a week, but still don't want to join any support body, no matter how good the marketing and promotion.
Roger
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
roger
am i correct in thinking that the now defunct baby and toddler emporium in priory street had the same attitude to the loyalty scheme?
Guest 653- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,540
Yes it did Howard - exactlty the same - and all for the price of a beer - pretty short-sighted really, but you can't make them join up - sadly.
Roger
Speculate to accumulate - pity they didn't heed those sage words............
Guest 683- Registered: 11 Feb 2009
- Posts: 1,052
I wanted to buy some large envelopes, bubble wrap and brown paper to send a parcel so went to Cross's one Saturday morning (in preference to using a supermarket) and found the shop closed! The world has changed. We can buy most things at supermarkets at lunchtime, after 5.30 p.m. and on Sundays so small retailers either have to find some way to compete or face the consequences. We have already heard that some of the businesses on this Forum use the internet services as they are more business friendly. I think that says a great deal and possibly indicates one of the reasons why Dover is struggling to keep its head above the water. The shopping 'centre' covers about three or four miles from Townwall Street to Buckland. This can't be a good business model. There is a generation that doesn't understand why you would waste time finding and paying for a parking space then walking miles for specialist shops when a one-stop out of town outlet provides all that is needed. With the internet shoppers don't even need to leave home. Dover needs a radical solution. The answer might seem brutal but I suspect you need to say goodbye to the Charlton centre and the London Road shops and get them all to relocate to a more centralised area where people can get all they need in a small radius. I'd go as far as turning Pencester Gardens into the new heart of the town with links to Biggin Street and the Market Square for the cafe culture and the big screen. I'd turn the DTIZ area into an open area with interesting features that might encourage passers by to stop, wander through to Castle Street (one of the real gems of the town) and then into independent shops (butchers, bakers, dressmakers etc) offering specialised service. Obviously this would all be linked by an integrated public transport system and a network of cycle routes.................................. and the sky would be filled with those flying pigs!
Mark
Guest 655- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,247
You are essentially correct. Back in the mid-1980's DDC commissioned consultants to conduct a review and one of the suggestions they came up with was to build on a part of Pencester (just a small part, about 20% of the area) to create a proper centre for shopping combined with links to Biggin Street. They said that the long high street was the biggest problem causing the decline of shopping in Dover and this would be one way to reverse that decline. Needless to say there was a public uproar despite the fact that this was only a suggestion made to the Council. It seems the public prefer to keep the all gardens rather than to have a decent shopping centre.
