Next move could aid Beverley's trade
TRADE leaders are hoping a top retailer will snap up the prime Beverley town centre store vacated today by Woolworths.
The town's Toll Gavel branch closes for the final time today after the high street icon went into administration.
Administrators Deloitte have confirmed there is interest in a large number of Woolworths sites from other retailers, although they are not yet announcing details.
Also closing today are Woolworths branches in Withernsea and Bridlington.
The Hull and Driffield branches are due to close on Tuesday and Goole's branch closed last Tuesday.
Trade leaders are confident the Beverley site could attract a high quality operator following the success in the town of other top high street names, such as M&S Simply Food.
The Beverley branch of M&S Simply Food was a trading sensation, exceeding sales targets by 30 per cent when it opened.
The store's runaway success saw the branch move from its 3,000sqft Saturday Market site to a larger 13,500sqft store in Butcher Row, employing 100 people.
Traders say the buoyancy of Beverley's shopping centre, where new shops are continuing to open despite the effects of the recession, makes the Woolworths site an attractive flagship location.
The availability of large store premises in the historic town centre is also a rarity.
Beverley And District Chamber Of Trade chairman Philip Guest is hoping a top retailer, such as Next, will make a move to take on the site.
He said: "A store like Next would be fantastic. It's a big unit and if we could get someone of that calibre, it would be a great boost for Beverley."
Traders are already looking forward to Browns of York opening a department store at the town's former Picture Playhouse cinema later this year.
Mr Guest said: "We can't wait for Browns to open as that will be another big draw for Beverley.
"The Playhouse is another key property and the kind of merchandise Browns sells is precisely what Beverley is crying out for. Hopefully that will encourage more people to come to Beverley, just as M&S has done."
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by Kenzie, Beverley
Tuesday, January 06 2009, 5:08PM
“I doubt any retailer will consider it in this economic climate what with the massive rates bill they will be facing, not to mention rent, running costs etc. Added to that is the proposed Flemingate development which will no doubt do as St Stephens did to the rest of Hull - kill it off.”
by Ben, Formerly of Beverley Parklands
Monday, January 05 2009, 12:49AM
“To Vivian Westwood, Erm, The Westwood
Beverley Parklands:
a. It is Horncastle estate,Barrett built 'Parkland's Dell' from the Whins down to Rosemary Way, and then a second phase of Forester's Way or something similar.
b. The Parklands mentioned are in allusion to the former parish boundaries and also the flipping great big expanse of grass, hills, trees and shrubs... which could aptly be described as 'Parkland'. I suggest you look the word up in a dictionary; it is a large book which defines words, which may just well have the word 'Dictionary' on the front or side, or maybe even both!”
by hank, Bev
Sunday, January 04 2009, 6:57PM
“I hear Ann Summers have enquired already.”
by Astonomia, East Riding
Saturday, January 03 2009, 3:09PM
“Who ever get the shop they will have to rebuild the entrance. In order to comply with new planning regulations in Beverley the doorway must be high enough to allow the great and the good through without banging their noses.”
by Beverley Civic Society, Cottingham
Saturday, January 03 2009, 11:58AM
“McDondalds are to locate to the land available when we knock that old church down near the new retail park. It's got a leaky roof now and is a right eyesore, we also intend to tarmac over the few reamaining gravestones and make a car park for when Currys, Toys r Us, Frankie and Bennies and Asda move in. We have had complaints from residents in Tickton about the church bells EVERY Sunday morning so that clinched it for us, the minister has to go. Plans are also available for the demolition of that old brick archway where the ice cream place used to be, Molescroft residents cannot drive thier 4 x 4's through at speed without damaging thier wing mirrors. So that coming down aswell. We are replacing it with a tastfeull mock archway saying "welcome to pramland"”
by Vivian Westwood, Erm, The Westwood
Saturday, January 03 2009, 11:33AM
“What Beverley lacks is a Primark, Hull has one so why not us? Or a huge Pound Shop? Perhaps a branch of Tribal Tattoist? Or a Sex Shop? Do they still have sex in Beverley? Or a shop selling cheap prams for all the single mothers from Molescroft, now theres a business opportunity. Or now Beverley is "the eating out capital of the East Riding", Labeled so after Masons relocated from Hull, then closed down just as quickly, how about a McDonalds? They were turned away from Beverley Parklands (the Barrett estate without a park) why cannot they relocate into the middle of Beverley? You found room for Tesco so why not another cheap food chain? Think about it McBeverley's?”
by Arthur Bitter, On the lash
Saturday, January 03 2009, 11:31AM
“Why not a Wetherspoons? We all need a cheap drink to drown our sorrows during the downturn.”
by Paul, Saltaire, West Yorkshire
Saturday, January 03 2009, 11:17AM
“I though the idea of 'the Beverley shopping experience' was to offer an 'alternative' to the norm, not another generic retail chain. Take a cue from Newland Avenue and Saville Street, not Hull's many soulless retail parks.”
by Gipsyville resident,, missing Milan
Saturday, January 03 2009, 10:45AM
“Personally I would prefer a Vivienne Westwood, Prada, Gucci, Armani, Chloe, Louis Vuitton, Chanel or Frette. Next-pmsl!!!”
by Rolf, Beverley
Saturday, January 03 2009, 9:30AM
“A clothes shop like Next would compete with local shops like Burtons??”