View Full Version : D.R. Simpsons closing :-(
D.R. Simpsons in Wick have taken the decision to close the business on Wednesday. They were a prominent business in the high street. I'm sure they will be missed and i'll be sorry to see them go.
I am sure now that they are closing they will get Bumper Sales as punters will be looking for lots of Closing Down Bargains.
rob murray
03-Jun-13, 12:40
Thats a real shame, I know the owner did his level best, but maybe its the tesco effect and general run down of the town centre thats effected the shop.
Lavenderblue2
03-Jun-13, 13:10
This news is an absolute disaster for Wick!! I am so, so sorry to hear this. :(
the town center aint what it used to be.. it has gotten worse and worse...now its gonna have a glass building worth so many million in the center...GEE guys.. that seems sensible, to me D r's was far too dear..mabey they would find it easier/cheaper on a side street out the way?
secretsquirrel
03-Jun-13, 13:49
I am not surprised the staff are not very helpful, have told management to no effect. I thought it was a newsagent yet have to go to Thurso to get the magazines as they stopped keeping them. They shop has went away from what it used to be at one time you could get a book there no problem yet in the past years the selection has decreased. Tesco actually has more of a selection than they do. The cafe was a waste of time with Morag's and Weatherspoons already providing the service.
I am sorry for the staff but once again if you do not provide what people want then this is what happens.
i thought it was de simpons shoe shop that was closing
They shop has went away from what it used to be at one time you could get a book there no problem yet in the past years the selection has decreased. Tesco actually has more of a selection than they do.
There are 2 problems with bookshops these days and neither to do with Tesco's. The first is the likes of Amazon who can sell cheaper than most shops do & usually even cheaper than Tesco's.
The second reason are e-books, in the US more e-books are being sold than paper versions. You can also buy e-magazines for them. It is very seldom I now buy a physical book, it is all e-books.
Local bookshops all over the country are closing not just in Wick. If bookshops in the south of england are finding it hard, you can imagine how hard it is for a shop in Wick.
Not sure what Simpson's could of done better but I do agree that the cafe was not a good idea with so many others around them. I am really sorry it is closing, we need shops like Simpson's in the centre.
i thought it was de simpons shoe shop that was closing
That as well.
luskentyre
03-Jun-13, 23:02
I am sure now that they are closing they will get Bumper Sales as punters will be looking for lots of Closing Down Bargains.
Seriously, that's the best you can come up with? No regret at losing another local shop? No sympathy for the staff who will lose their jobs?
No, we just get another snide comment about people capitalising on the situation. People like you really make this forum a joy to visit.
Nothing wrong with shutting up shop.
Just so long as everyone gets paid.
Tilly Teckel
03-Jun-13, 23:12
I'll miss their lunchtime soups and the friendly staff; they'll be much missed in Wick :(
Seriously, that's the best you can come up with? No regret at losing another local shop? No sympathy for the staff who will lose their jobs?
No, we just get another snide comment about people capitalising on the situation. People like you really make this forum a joy to visit.
Nothing wrong with telling it like it is instead of the faux concern for people you do not know personally. This forum was like a sweetie shop full of sugar addicted kiddies when Tesco was announced for Wick. People were warned that town centres die when a big supermarket hits the outskirts of a town and we are seeing that big style in Wick now. It is not all due to Tesco but they sell so many of the products you might have bought down the street previously that it is bound to affect business in the smaller shops. Lack of footfall in the High Street has a knock on effect on those shops less directly affected by Tesco. I shook my head when some of those responsible for granting planning permission for Tesco, argued that it would result in the town centre becoming busier!!
If people are doing most of their shopping at Tesco and buying non food items that they used to get down the street, and are also doing a lot of shopping online (and I am not talking about you personally here, just a general comment) I think it would be a bit two-faced to be holding a wake over shops closing in the town centre.
The people wanted a Tesco, the people got a Tesco. On the bright side, DR's will make a great takeaway joint or Cash Converters.
rob murray
04-Jun-13, 16:35
Nothing wrong with telling it like it is instead of the faux concern for people you do not know personally. This forum was like a sweetie shop full of sugar addicted kiddies when Tesco was announced for Wick. People were warned that town centres die when a big supermarket hits the outskirts of a town and we are seeing that big style in Wick now. It is not all due to Tesco but they sell so many of the products you might have bought down the street previously that it is bound to affect business in the smaller shops. Lack of footfall in the High Street has a knock on effect on those shops less directly affected by Tesco. I shook my head when some of those responsible for granting planning permission for Tesco, argued that it would result in the town centre becoming busier!!
If people are doing most of their shopping at Tesco and buying non food items that they used to get down the street, and are also doing a lot of shopping online (and I am not talking about you personally here, just a general comment) I think it would be a bit two-faced to be holding a wake over shops closing in the town centre.
The people wanted a Tesco, the people got a Tesco. On the bright side, DR's will make a great takeaway joint or Cash Converters.
Yep the town centre has got busier indeed, with all the cars passing through to Tesco's. For years this phenomena has been documented initially in the states with Walmart and out of town super stores, "the doughnut effect" ie nothing in the centre of a town and all activity on the periphery. However if you look at Alness the high street is thriving, despite Morrisons / Lidls et all on the periphery,, with a multitude of independent shops, and thats despite Inverness being 20 miles away as well. Mind you theres more money / more people in Ross shire to support specialised independent shops. Maybe its possible that the small local population and not enough money / disposable income that killed the high street in Wick..thoughts ??
Seriously, that's the best you can come up with? No regret at losing another local shop? No sympathy for the staff who will lose their jobs?
No, we just get another snide comment about people capitalising on the situation. People like you really make this forum a joy to visit.
No, no regrets at all, specially since I found out that they also own J. Bews shop in Thurso. I am happy I made your visit to this forum a Joy. :roll:
There are 2 problems with bookshops these days and neither to do with Tesco's. The first is the likes of Amazon who can sell cheaper than most shops do & usually even cheaper than Tesco's.
The second reason are e-books, in the US more e-books are being sold than paper versions. You can also buy e-magazines for them. It is very seldom I now buy a physical book, it is all e-books.
Local bookshops all over the country are closing not just in Wick. If bookshops in the south of england are finding it hard, you can imagine how hard it is for a shop in Wick.
Not sure what Simpson's could of done better but I do agree that the cafe was not a good idea with so many others around them. I am really sorry it is closing, we need shops like Simpson's in the centre. I completely agree with you Gerry4. It's so sad though to see this shop close. I remember it well when it was a busy Ironmongers and then a great "bookshop". Times change I guess, but I do wish Davie Moss all the very best for his future in Edinburgh. (My In-laws were there, just Saturday past, for a coffee with my OH and thought it a lovely atmosphere - also the coffee was hugely complimented upon ! :))
luskentyre
06-Jun-13, 00:38
No, no regrets at all, specially since I found out that they also own J. Bews shop in Thurso. I am happy I made your visit to this forum a Joy. :roll:
No regrets? Well, that speaks volumes about the sort of individual you are. I'm sure you recognise sarcasm when you see it, so you'll appreciate that "joy" actually means "misery". I'm sure you'll sleep well tonight knowing that you've dashed a little more misery in the world.
No regrets? Well, that speaks volumes about the sort of individual you are. I'm sure you recognise sarcasm when you see it, so you'll appreciate that "joy" actually means "misery". I'm sure you'll sleep well tonight knowing that you've dashed a little more misery in the world.
Sure my post speaks about the type of person I am and that is HONEST. If you do not like me being Honest in my posts, then just don't read my Posts. Simples.
One must stop and think, where have the DR Simpson Cafe punters now gone ?
hedgehogger
07-Jun-13, 21:19
they probably all went next door or to Wetherspoons....didn't take whatsits long to make their move either, they are now selling newspapers too!
Well that is good, initiative if they are selling papers, someone has too. Did notice the shop further down also selling papers and Hillhead now delivering papers, what fun
How did DR Simpsons manage to get planning permission for their cafe/coffee parlour/soup kitchen? when there were Morag's next door , the Italian across the road and Weatherspoons, sounds a bit crazy.
essex boy
08-Jun-13, 00:33
I'm quite supprised to read this, I don't think that I have ever been in there when people have not been queing at the till.
Strange how Highland Council can bailout Ryan Cook and his BFest company yet are unable to help David Moss and his company.Wonder if Cook will get a hand out this year
DunnetKnowe
09-Jun-13, 19:36
Whatever happened to the much vaunted 'Town Centre Development Officers' that public money was provided for......?
http://caithnesschamber.com/projects/town-centre-development
As old Brucie would say, "Didn't they do well!".
Just looked at the link Dunnetknowe posted.
http://caithnesschamber.com/projects...re-development
then looked at another page http://caithnesschamber.com/projects/invest-caithness
looks very much like a fake picture.
Photoshop edit. biggest giveaway is probably the lack of a wet suit on the surfer
Shame about the D R Simpsons and Bews who always got my monthly magazines for me.
orkneycadian
09-Jun-13, 22:18
How long before Wick becomes "Tesco town"? Not on the grounds it has more Tescos than you can shake a stick at, like Inverness, but simply because thats all thats left?
caithnessmusicman
09-Jun-13, 22:24
Sorry to hear that, i worked there for a short time a few years back, great team to work with....
hedgehogger
09-Jun-13, 22:26
[QUOTE= biggest giveaway is probably the lack of a wet suit on the surfer [/QUOTE]
? first black person i've seen with a white face then......
Keyser_soze
10-Jun-13, 05:48
A big shame for the guys & girls who have lost their jobs , for them I genuinely feel sorry for , Hopefully they will get employment soon elsewhere.
But its 2013 , I read a kindle , but books from ebay & Amazon , its a sign o the times , Cant really blame Tesco for absolutely everything tho can we ? Surely ?
KEEP_ON_TRUCKIN
10-Jun-13, 10:11
Not that this has anything to do with the closing of D R Simpsons - but that is a genuine picture - look at it as a file on its own the guy has a full wetsuit including head and gloves on??
As for demise of the Town Centre - you can't really pile that on the Town Development officers - who actually came up with some good initiatives - it was a fixed term role that did deliver -it's up to us the people of the county to get into the entrepreneurial spirit and try to "do something" I know it's not easy!
Just looked at the link Dunnetknowe posted.
http://caithnesschamber.com/projects...re-development
then looked at another page http://caithnesschamber.com/projects/invest-caithness
looks very much like a fake picture.
Photoshop edit. biggest giveaway is probably the lack of a wet suit on the surfer
Shame about the D R Simpsons and Bews who always got my monthly magazines for me.
Vis a vis the disputed picture - the same guy is shown here
http://active.visitscotland.com/activeoffers/water/surfing/
Now, let's get back to discussing the demise of the shop! :confused
DunnetKnowe
10-Jun-13, 10:52
looks very much like a fake picture. Photoshop edit. biggest giveaway is probably the lack of a wet suit on the surfer
A reverse image search takes you to the person who took the original photo.......and it therefore appears genuine......http://www.studiograff-photo.co.uk/oneill-cold-water-classic-2010
Sad, but there is not much profit in selling the Sun and the Peoples Friend.
secrets in symmetry
10-Jun-13, 23:10
Isn't D R Simpson the shoppee that stopped selling the Sun because he didna like it?
secrets in symmetry
10-Jun-13, 23:13
A reverse image search takes you to the person who took the original photo.......and it therefore appears genuine......http://www.studiograff-photo.co.uk/oneill-cold-water-classic-2010It looks genuine to me. Long lenses produce a foreshortening effect that looks weird to us.
It looks genuine to me. Blah Blah Blah
Oh well, we can all rest easy in our beds now. SIS has spoken!
Nighty nighty.
rob murray
11-Jun-13, 09:52
Sad, but there is not much profit in selling the Sun and the Peoples Friend.
Yes, The profit margins in a newsagents are very very slim, this type of business has to have a steady high volume of customers to keep its head above water and make money, not enough customers / hits margins / ship hit below the water line. Whether its the Tesco effect or whatever reason, truth is the customer footprint was too low
KEEP_ON_TRUCKIN
11-Jun-13, 16:14
i'm not really sure what retail business, if any, actually has anything other than a slim profit margin? if anyone can think of one that's legal - let me know - i'm interested!
rob murray
11-Jun-13, 16:52
i'm not really sure what retail business, if any, actually has anything other than a slim profit margin? if anyone can think of one that's legal - let me know - i'm interested!
Economics : big concerns, buy big, so can drive down supplier prices, small concerns cant..thats it, they cannot compete. Only alternative in retail is to find a high value niche with good unaggressive suppliers, but such businesses deal with pricey items, question is, is there enough wickers willing and able to pay extra buy upmarket...in my view not enough as the economy is flat.
KEEP_ON_TRUCKIN
14-Jun-13, 18:12
Economics : big concerns, buy big, so can drive down supplier prices, small concerns cant..thats it, they cannot compete. Only alternative in retail is to find a high value niche with good unaggressive suppliers, but such businesses deal with pricey items, question is, is there enough wickers willing and able to pay extra buy upmarket...in my view not enough as the economy is flat.
Yes BUT big concerns may be buying larger volumes for discount, but they aren't increasing their margins, they are selling cheaper because the can, selling greater volume for less mark up, all equates to the same thing......little or no margins in retail.....
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