View Full Version : What services is Caithness missing
Having dinner with friends prior to our move up to Caithness next month and we were discussing if you were looking to start a business in Caithness what type of service would the area most like to see? Could be a retail outlet, trade service whatever.
dentists?
clothes shops
mothercare type shop
music shop!
yea a clothes shop with reasonable pricing.
Have a black & decker drill and a bottle of whisky so dentistry shouldn't be a problem. Who's first?
webmannie
27-Jun-07, 21:07
Not trying to be smart, but the county must be the only one in the uk mainland that doesn't have an escort service. Not that i'd have a need for one personally lek!
Jeemag_USA
27-Jun-07, 22:18
Yeah I have been speaking to a few people from back home and there is no proper music outlet now, you can't even buy a set of guitar strings. If I was going to start a music shop in Caithness I would incorporate a section that is like the record fairs, where you can bring stuff in and get money back for it to spend on other stuff in the store, include cassette, vinyl and CD.
Not trying to be smart, but the county must be the only one in the uk mainland that doesn't have an escort service. Not that i'd have a need for one personally lek!
I believe Dunnet's could sort you out for a service on your escort, Webmannie [lol].
didn't the music shop shut because all the kids were downloading their music from the internet? Don't think guitar strings would keep body and soul together.
And as for clothes - didn't that one in high street have to close soon after it opened - due to tescos and new look?
I think an amusement arcade would go down a treat.
webmannie
27-Jun-07, 23:15
I believe Dunnet's could sort you out for a service on your escort, Webmannie [lol].
More lek Dunnetts the undertakers!
Have a black & decker drill and a bottle of whisky so dentistry shouldn't be a problem. Who's first?
Don't even joke about it. We really need decent denstist provision here.
DeHaviLand
28-Jun-07, 00:44
Aye, 2 music shops closed because there isnt enough business to be had! I wouldn't think there would be much mileage in opening another one.
Interesting idea to have an amusement arcade, it could go right next to the new pleasure beach/marina development.
IMO, what services the area doesnt have is simply because there is not the demand or the population to support them. (I'm gonna have to look at my grammar on that last statement.)
If I was looking to start a business in Caithness, I'd be looking at eco-tourism, but you want to get in quick before the windfarms decimate the flora and fauna.
A clothes shop for larger ladies is needed. mackays sell large sizes but they are quite small and a bit old fashioned. New look stopped doing large sizes. also a shop that hires out wedding gear like shops further south where you can hire a hat etc.
Also now that More store, the 99p shop and Whatsits are gone, we need another shop like this, especially one like the £1 shop in aberdeen.
I know the one service that my wife found extremely good (so much so that she still talks about it) was a sauna and solarium in Thurso. As for myself, some reasonably priced self catering cottages... I find the existing ones just too expensive during peak season. There are only two of us and I am stuck with holidaying in peak periods.
i think a cafe with child play facilities its difficult to find anywhere that will fit a pram in other than wetherspoons.
charlie's lass
28-Jun-07, 10:48
Only start up a business in this area if you have plenty of money as you will find it extremely difficult to get any type of financial support from 'the powers that be' unless you are willing to put your home on the line! If you are looking at retail check out the rates on the high street and that may be enough to scare you out of that one - that is why in the centre of Wick we have 3 charity shops in the places where long established business were in the past - the charity shops don't pay rates. As far as suggestions for a music shop - what with downloads, Tesco, internet etc it would be flogging a dead horse otherwise why did our music shop close down in the first place - perhaps you could contact the previous music shop owner and find out exactly why they had to close the shop. We then had a ladies clothes shop where the music shop had been - disaster again it closed within a year of opening. Christies 99p shop is closing so another big empty shop in the high street. In my opinion anybody with any sense would not go into retail in Wick it will not work it has been proven time and time again! Perhaps a decent restaurant with not expensive prices would do well, and a fish restaurant (like the one that used to be at the harbour) I think there is room for that - as we seem to be a town of take aways!
charlie's lass
28-Jun-07, 10:52
didn't the music shop shut because all the kids were downloading their music from the internet? Don't think guitar strings would keep body and soul together.
And as for clothes - didn't that one in high street have to close soon after it opened - due to tescos and new look?
I think an amusement arcade would go down a treat.
There was an amusement arcade where the college is now! it did not work either and why would we want something so tacky!
A drive-through car wash
A 24-hour...or at least the wee am hours til afternoon...coffee/tea/hot chocolate/doughnut hut (or even better, several dotted at a number of strategic locations in the towns/along the main roads :D), like the little places you see in car parks in the USA.
There was an amusement arcade where the college is now! it did not work either and why would we want something so tacky!
did it really not work or was it that the people moved away? And yes - I think whatsits is really going to be missed, also a cafe with a play area - great - but isn't Morag's planning to do just that?
how about a bowling alley? We need more for the kids to do.
Not trying to be smart, but the county must be the only one in the uk mainland that doesn't have an escort service. Not that i'd have a need for one personally lek!
Who says???
did it really not work or was it that the people moved away? And yes - I think whatsits is really going to be missed, also a cafe with a play area - great - but isn't Morag's planning to do just that?
how about a bowling alley? We need more for the kids to do.
Thought we had a bowling alley in Caithness or is it something different from 10 pin bowling?
A decent car wash, either drive through or a handwash one we used to use in Edinburgh`s Jane Street where they use buckets and sponges and do the job properly, wheels and all for £3. I used to pop to the shops on Leith walk while it was being done and saved on the parking fees!
A private homecare scheme like Highland Homecarers in Inverness to fill in the vast void between social services care provision (recently frozen) and the real needs of the housebound and frail elderly.
dunderheed
28-Jun-07, 17:19
3 letters one outlet says it all
(i'll even use capitals for once)
K.F.C
jinglejangle
28-Jun-07, 17:36
A kids shoe shop would definiately work a treat - I have 2 kids and always struggle to get shoes to fit them as do all my friends.
When the kids were little Thurso or Wick did not have small sizes ie 3 or 3 1/2 which is the size most kids fit when they start walking - they said they were getting more in but nothing available at that time. This has occurred for most of my friends. Thurso and Wick do not have a variety of width - so for kids with narrow feet they can forgot it!
Wanted a pair of kids sandals - as it is summer ! and one shop didn't have any and the other shop only had one pair that would fit and they cost £32.
So a definiate for a KIDS SHOE SHOP!
from all e enquiries about it here and elsewhere, a tattoo shop, nearest one 100 miles away:D
Bobinovich
03-Jul-07, 22:37
how about a bowling alley? We need more for the kids to do.
Well the bowling alley in Thurso has really gone downhill. They used to have a roaring trade - regular, well-attended leagues running 3 or 4 nights a week plus solid weekend trade. However their lack of preventative maintenance/interest appears to have driven the majority of the league bowlers away :confused. Having to wait for lanes to be fixed - doubly difficult when trying to find someone to do the job 'cos they're away doing something else [disgust]!
Well the bowling alley in Thurso has really gone downhill. They used to have a roaring trade - regular, well-attended leagues running 3 or 4 nights a week plus solid weekend trade. However their lack of preventative maintenance/interest appears to have driven the majority of the league bowlers away :confused. Having to wait for lanes to be fixed - doubly difficult when trying to find someone to do the job 'cos they're away doing something else [disgust]!
Service at the bar in Liquid is shockingly slow as well. They seem to spend all their time making short drinks in shakers and those of us who just want them to pull us a pint have to wait far too long!
changilass
03-Jul-07, 22:44
from all e enquiries about it here and elsewhere, a tattoo shop, nearest one 100 miles away:D
Best place for it in my opinion. All we need is kids from the high school going in their lunch hour, and before anyone says there is an age limit - have you seen some of the 6th formers?? if they can get served in pubs and clubs they will get their tattoos no probs.
hmm....very hard..Something thats going to make a good addition to Thurso.
Metalattakk
04-Jul-07, 00:37
Best place for it in my opinion. All we need is kids from the high school going in their lunch hour, and before anyone says there is an age limit - have you seen some of the 6th formers?? if they can get served in pubs and clubs they will get their tattoos no probs.
Many 6th Year students are quite likely to already be 18 years old. Or are they all children when wearing the uniform?
how about a mobile phone shop....One that does all makes and models of phone, phone accessories, and phone unlocking if possible....Would save a journey or two.......
changilass
04-Jul-07, 00:54
Many 6th Year students are quite likely to already be 18 years old. Or are they all children when wearing the uniform?
I do apologise, I thought you had to be 21 to get a tattoo, shows how much I know about it. Never appealed to me, don't like pain.:eek:
Would be nice to have another opticians. When I asked for an appointment with the one in Thurso I was told I would have to wait at least 3 months!
from my mooching about the net i'd say a piercing/tattoo shop and a soft play/indoor adventure play area for kids.
Not trying to be smart, but the county must be the only one in the uk mainland that doesn't have an escort service. Not that i'd have a need for one personally lek!
can just see it now.. classy business man hires stunning young lady, dressed to the 9's who is introduced to his important clients and she says
"howar ye doin? am no bad, yeself" and "sit yerself doon till i get eh wifie till come ower and take yer order"....... :eek::lol:
and an optician by the sound of things!! ;)
porshiepoo
04-Jul-07, 12:49
A decent cake shop! One where you can sit in and there are loads of different cakes to choose from and loads of fresh cream choice. Plus great big humongous sandwiches. lol.
WHSmith??? One of me faves.
Wick could do with a really good health food shop. (Due to the cream cakes that would get eaten. lol)
Body Shop.
Ashop with a decent amount of materials, wool etc and loads and loads of craft stuff.
Wilkinsons - really miss that shop.
Iceland
NickInTheNorth
04-Jul-07, 12:58
why would any sane location need a piercing/tattoo shop?
ahh, i take you've never tasted the exquisite delights of body piercing then ;)
Wick could do with a really good health food shop. (Due to the cream cakes that would get eaten. lol)
lol - Thurso could just do with it's being open more and having a larger stock! We've had to go to Inverness for things in the past.
cuddlepop
04-Jul-07, 14:10
Dont know if there would be eneogh business up in Caithness but the local commercial laundry unit does a roaring trade on SKye.
Local hoteliers no longer have to rely on the Sunlight commercial van coming round.:)
blondscot
04-Jul-07, 21:51
I would like to open somewhere for the kids to go and hang out, with food and drinks available like cafe part with chill out area pool, darts,tv,computer, music etc
i think that the kids here need someplace where they can all meet up and just chill without having to hang around street corners!
I've noticed that there are no Stripper grams!!! Everyone here seems to go into pre wedding celebrations in a big way, even birthday celebrations. I'm sure it could really take off if it was done properly i mean professionally. If you're brave enough!!!
I reckon you'd make a killing by franchising into a mcdonalds restaurant.
heres the link for application......looking forward to a local big-mac ;)
http://www.mcdonalds.com/app_controller.franch.franch.html
Nah!! Pizza Hut all the way!!! lol. Being perfectly serious I would like to see a proper computer shop. I know all about Alacam and their stuff but im meaning a full on one. One that has most things needed and also people working their who know what they are talking about. Not just some randomers in need of a job, bluffing their way through the job. I am constantly having to buy my computer equipment online. I would like a shop where I can get good deals and expert opinions.
Nah!! Pizza Hut all the way!!! lol. Being perfectly serious I would like to see a proper computer shop. I know all about Alacam and their stuff but im meaning a full on one. One that has most things needed and also people working their who know what they are talking about. Not just some randomers in need of a job, bluffing their way through the job. I am constantly having to buy my computer equipment online. I would like a shop where I can get good deals and expert opinions.
Well a lot of people are telling me to start up, but i just work from home building pc's, upgrades, security and software, diagnostics, recovery and installations etc. My rep is starting to spread outside friends and family, and i feel sorry for the people that have been ripped off in this area by so called pc repairman(women too) that i find it astonishing the amount of pc's that are in a worse state after they have seemingly been sorted, plus they have the hard neck to charge as well!!!!
I did do Beta testing for M/soft on the Vista package over the past year and half but strayed away near launch date and have never yet seen how the final release turned out, but i kinda knew as well as others about its flaws which will get sorted out eventually...well maybe for when the young orgers take over here....lol
Anyway you cant compete with online shopping for parts etc as there is no overheads unlike a shop and thats before wages so you would be fighting a losing battle. As for expert opinions the net has vast amounts of info for any problem regarding computers as well as other subjects. (But the net comes to me though....lol)
Vista is terrible. End of. Lol! I hated it. I know what you mean but its still nice to be able to speak to someone in person? That way you can get more opinionated discussions going.
Not trying to be smart, but the county must be the only one in the uk mainland that doesn't have an escort service. Not that i'd have a need for one personally lek!
was thinking that myself
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