Another one bites the dust

[bagpuss]

The Linen Cupboard is calling it a day as of end of the year. It's in what was Fairways at 118 High Street. Shame that just as the area was starting to look really promising, that an outlet is closing down. Reason? lack of local trade.

The shop has been done up, replumbed and rewired- so anyone looking for premises, the owners have posted it on the commercial rental site

Good luck

[Metalattakk]

Reason? lack of local trade.

Seriously, this statement is a fallacy. They operate in a fairly niche market, yet haven't moved with the times. They don't even have a website, for crying out loud.

If they're too stuck in the mud to realise that shopping habits have changed irreversibly in recent times, then they deserve what they get.

It's a harsh life, yes, but change, adapt and embrace new technology and you can survive. Blaming a lack of local support is just a lame excuse.

[bagpuss]

Only reporting what the horse's mouth (the landlord Ernie) was told by the Aberdeen firm that took over from him. They do have a website by the way- the parent company is called Rosemount Textiles.Their shop is a smaller version of what they have in Ellon and in Orkney and apparently the Wick one is the only branch running at a loss.

Ernie just wants to avoid another shop lying empty so it's been posted on commercial premises to let. He says he'll give first refusal and negotiate rent for any young up and coming business- and wants someone to have some success in the place.

So what could Wick be doing with? nail bar/ reiki/holistic treatment room/ a franchise like the Body Shop or Thorntons?

[Metalattakk]

They do have a website by the way- the parent company is called Rosemount Textiles.

http://www.rosemount-textiles.co.uk/

There's no mention whatsoever on that website of a shop in either Wick, Ellon or Orkney. Do they even want customers?

[bagpuss]

I think in the other towns there's more money around and more passing trade

Ernie always said that his main sales tended to be curtains-but The Linen Cupboard were trying to sell the same sort of products that Mackays home department sold.

There was talk at one point of Joan running an express curtain ordering service from the site once her employers hand the keys back, if there was enough demand, but Ernie and his daughter are open to any kind of tenant other than hot food (the planning regs say there has to be an outside wall for an extractor fan).

Any good ideas? Anyone want to be their own boss?