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Talking Point /
Talking Point - Poundland? |
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| Talking Point - Poundland? |
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Thursday 15th October 2009 |
There's confusion surrounding plans for a big High Street name to move into Andover's former Woolworths Store.
Poundland had submitted a planning application and started to recruit staff through the town's job centre, but now the application has been withdrawn and recruitment halted.
The old Woolworths store has been a blot on the High Street since it closed in January, but there appeared to be hope when discount chain Poundland applied to Test Valley Borough Council for permission to put up new signs.
Then the Job Centre in London Street started to advertise vacancies, but they've told Andover Sound that they were asked to stop recruitment, because of complications with the building.
Poundland then pulled the planning application.
In a statement to us, the retailer's said they 'have no plans to open a store in Andover at the moment', but the jobcentre say they've been told it could open in February.
This is our talking point today - Would you welcome Poundland in Andover? Or do you want a different kind of store in the old Woolworths shop? Leave your comments below. |
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alison of andover says: |
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07:02 on Friday 5th February 2010 |
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"What a massive range of lovely things poundland stocks its amazing. 30 people now have jobs and we have a new supermarket store. Give it a try, you will not be dissappointed." |
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John Marshall of Andover says: |
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10:18 on Thursday 4th February 2010 |
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"Well!! I suppose we could have had another cafe/food place or perhaps another pub!! or another estate agent!! what about another opticians!!who ever decided we could do with a cheap shop in these days of credit crunch!! what ever were they thinking, At last some one did think, and I bet all these moaners will be there on Saturday getting as much free stuff as they can.Wel done to Poundland, It may not be a department store but I'm sure it will be used a lot. By the way what happened to the plans for the so called Town hall!!!!!!
" |
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A K Frith of Andover says: |
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22:31 on Saturday 30th January 2010 |
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" It's great to see such a large shell become a shop again. It will also give a few people a chance to get a job, which has got to be good! " |
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claire rose of andover says: |
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10:27 on Sunday 20th December 2009 |
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"sorry not had time to read all the posts.
i think the people of andover deserve something better than another pound shop. the unit is far too big and would make a lovely primark or matalan, just to name a couple.
i could be wrong but this is what i have heard. primark were VERY interested in the building and wanted to open a store there. the problem was that the building is owned by a bank (not sure which one) and they will not sell. i guess any other large chain of shops would, like primark, prefer to own the building and therefore it probably won't have anything decent in it til the bank sells up. it makes business sense to own the building and therefore have long term security in it.
i'm not sure what can be done if this is true. don't think we can force the bank to sell. a real shame for andover :(" |
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Manuela of Andover says: |
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18:46 on Sunday 6th December 2009 |
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"Oh dear patience has never been my strong point, so I will be so glad when all this work is finished and I can walk down the high street once again, without having to keep stepping off the pavement... Then can we re energise the other end of town ... the Mall?" |
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Neil of Andover says: |
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08:01 on Thursday 3rd December 2009 |
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"We need primark to come to Andover and Poundland going into old Worthworths I thought Woolworths will be too big with upstairs shopfloor space then I heard its not only Poundland going into Woolworths its being split with Poundland downstairs and Pound strecher (instore...) upstairs and least it not another coffee shop like Starbuck the only coffee shop havn't got in Andover" |
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Danny Pederick of Swallowfields says: |
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17:05 on Saturday 21st November 2009 |
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"Andovers retail industry, is amongst the worst I have ever come across, we have a KFC which is rubbish at best, Curry's is a joke, Homebase is over priced, McDonalds that shuts when the shopping centre shuts, phone shops comming out of our ears, along with the coffee shops, and a cinema that is behind the times already although brand new!!. I don't think it matter what the local people think as long as it is rubbish and sub standard Andover will get it!!!!!!!! Which is a shame because it is a great place to live, so Basingstoke it is!!!!!!!" |
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Jenny of Roman Way says: |
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08:53 on Thursday 12th November 2009 |
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"If Poundland are intent on coming to Andover...well, so be it, no one is MADE to shop there and as Manuela has said "it's better than having an empty shop", let's give it a try, if we don't like it then I'm sure poundland will get the message!!" |
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Dawn of Andover says: |
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16:54 on Saturday 7th November 2009 |
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"I must admit - is Poundland the only vision Andover can offer? Come on please - get something decent in town and get people into our town. There is no choice for kids clothes, no choice for ladies clothes and no choice for men's clothes. But of course, if all you want to do is ponder over a coffee to decide which mobile phone shop to make a purchase in then Andover is definitely the town for you!" |
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Susan of Hurstbourne Tarrant says: |
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17:38 on Sunday 1st November 2009 |
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"As confirmed by Michelle TVBC own 2 shops in the town and a few in Union Street, so therefore have no say in whom comes to Andover. Also small retailers have no more influence as they are not a forum and have tried repeatedly to encourage more people to shop here. Many people come in from the outlying towns and think Andover is great. Why make this into a stereotype town like all the others! We have a good market 2 days a week and always plenty going on, but if you dont shop here you wont know that. Make Andover unique." |
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Manuela of andover says: |
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12:41 on Saturday 31st October 2009 |
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I agree it isn't the best option for a prime site in our high street...I agree... BUT anything has to be better than nothing? look at what is happening in the Mall in Bridge Street...." |
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Becky Biller of Andover admirals way says: |
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08:28 on Saturday 31st October 2009 |
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"Pound land is a bad shop who would want to go in they ? only old people
And i heard that primark was going there . that is a better shop When me and my sister and my mum go shopping for clothes we have to travel all the way to basingstoke and that cost money . My mum don't work and nether does my dad they r both disabled so primark is a good opion to put in old woolworthes it big enought PUT PRIMARK THERE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! PLEASE" |
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claire of andover says: |
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16:23 on Tuesday 27th October 2009 |
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"let us just fill it with charity shops, pound shops , mobile phone shops, book sales, cheap clothing retailers, tool sales, party gimmick shops, coffee shops, another pub, another takeaway -- oh i forgot, that's what we already have in andover at the moment!
well we know that test valley won't allow a department store or decent clothes retailer to the town centre, because the committee that oversees that is made up of local shop keepers! andover is a dreadful place has nothing there at all" |
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Mobile Phone Fetish of Andover says: |
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15:54 on Thursday 22nd October 2009 |
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"Why don't we have yet another Mobile Phone shop,or if not a new cafe." |
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Manuela of Andover Hampshire says: |
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21:39 on Wednesday 21st October 2009 |
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Why don't we throw the question out to be answered by the young of the town, after all they appear to be the one's with most disposal income, given that as yet they do not have mortages, but have wages, and probably want somewhere to spend it, rather than having to go out of town to purchase their trendy clothes...for their evenings out in London Street etc... just a thought" |
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Mary B of Andover says: |
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20:31 on Tuesday 20th October 2009 |
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"If my 'derogatory remarks' about Poundland and Matalan put these stores off from coming here . . . then thank God! Save us from sinking into 'chavdom'!" |
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Anne of Andover says: |
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00:41 on Monday 19th October 2009 |
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"I love Poundland, they have some great bargains and I would welcome one in Andover, but the old Woolworth's premises is much too big. We need more department stores here, like we had years ago before Andover's 'improvements'. Parson and Harts, the Co-Op and Ponds for example. All the town mainly offers now are mobile phone shops, (ridiculously too many) plus banks and building societies. I assume there's so many of them as there's hardly anywhere worthwhile spending our money? Shopping in Andover now is mostly a waste of time.
Thank goodness we have Asda and Wilkinson's at least, the only shops in town I buy from." |
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Manuela of Andover Hampshire says: |
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09:31 on Sunday 18th October 2009 |
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"I think we could wish for any kind of store to come here, but wishing and hoping isn't going to make it happen, however I do know what will definitely put stores OFF from coming into this town, and that is derogatory remarks about any of them.
Let’s face it Andoverians if any single of us could afford to open up that store and start to trade from it, we would.
Not one of our own local businesses has been able to do so, for what ever reason, and I know this subject has been well discussed. But surely no retailer from outside our area is going to want to set up business here if we only moan and bemoan who ever is put forward? Just a thought….. Manuela
" |
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Chris Lewis of Andover says: |
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15:55 on Saturday 17th October 2009 |
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"I am not particularly in favour of Poundland setting up in the old Woolies shop, I would much prefer Andover to show a bit of ambition by enticing one of the bigger high street department stores, like Debenhams or John Lewis, to come in. We have an M+S which, frankly, I consider an insult to the brand as it carries such a limited range of mens clothing and Next seems to think that every man should be built like a slender athlete, so a recognised name to save people having to abandon the town for Salisbury or Basingstoke on a Saturday would be welcomed by me.
If, however, Andover wishes to remain in the third world, then maybe some enterprising property person should take the store on, divide it up into smaller units and make a form of indoor market out of it." |
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Michelle of Andover says: |
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15:24 on Saturday 17th October 2009 |
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"I would like to point out to Barbara that the Council have absolutely no influence on who occupies a town centre shop. They are all privately owned. In most cases the Council are not notified of shops coming unless planning permission is being sought. Sadly, the reality is that one discount shop attracts another, as does a coffee shop, mobile phone shop etc...This should not be an excuse to bash the Council, its time we stopped slating our own town and started to talk it up a bit. Where is our Pride?
" |
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Alan Resident of Andover says: |
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15:03 on Saturday 17th October 2009 |
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"I think many people in Andover would like to see a department store in town however there must be a reason why the likes of Debenhams etc will not move here. After all we did have a department store here many years ago in the shape of the Co-op, now Wilkinsons. It closed. I believe partly due to trouble within the Portsea Island group but partly because it didn't sell enough to warrant it staying open. If we cannot get a large retailler in town selling a variety of goods then maybe we look at David's idea of dividing the internal space up and sub letting to quality smaller retaillers to do the same job. Bigger is not always better and if pitched right, it may get local people to start up on their own. I think part of Andover's problem is that we seem to be aiming to be another Basingstoke whereas maybe we should be trying to be like Salisbury or Bath with smaller retaillers selling a variety of goods. After all, if we want to attract more money into the town, maybe we need reasons to get people to come and spend. Why would someone from Basingstoke travel to Andover for a smaller Debenhams? If we had unique shops I think people would come because they are unique. Andover needs a Unique Selling Point and being a smaller Basingstoke is not the answer in my opinion. How about this being one of the Andover Town Council's first jobs? To look at the options for how we can improve Andover. Credit where due, we have The Lights and a cinema but now TVBC (or the ATC) needs to get to grips with our day to day living (the shops) and where we work (Walworth Ghostville) and not just our nights out." |
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David of Andover says: |
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12:24 on Saturday 17th October 2009 |
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"I think the idea of an indoor market with a large number of lock-up units selling a variety of goods and services would be an excellent idea. Other towns seem to manage this, so why not Andover? BUT, it would need drive, enthusiasm and the patronage of local people to enable it to be viable - and not just for six months or so while it is new, but permanently. A good community and upbeat atmosphere would be essential and loyalty from Andoverians who wanted to see it thrive. And, most important, up-market rather than down-market please." |
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Tony Prince of andover says: |
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22:36 on Friday 16th October 2009 |
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"There is only one retail dept store that would benefit the people of Andover, and that is Primark. I wish Sir George Young would do more to push for Test Valley to reduce rents, and regenerate the sorry looking town and its drab appearance. Then perhaps people and other retailers would come from areas surrounding Andover, and not Andovians travelling away from Town." |
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John of Near Andover says: |
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15:49 on Friday 16th October 2009 |
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"I think it should be an indoor market, or maybe Matalan/big clothes store. Anything but Poundland! They could go in one of the smaller vacant stores, HMV in the Chantry Centre, for example." |
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Mary B of Andover says: |
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23:01 on Thursday 15th October 2009 |
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"Matalan . . Matalan . . Matalan!!! It's just the clothing equivalent of a poundshop that exploits foreign labour so that chavs can wear 'wear once then throwaway' disposable clothes. No self respecting department shop is going to come to Andover when it's full of charity shops, pound shops and pile-it-high-sell-it-cheap shops - and we are stuck in the Basingtoke/Salisbury/ Winchester shopping triangle. Andover is the equivalent of a retail 'black hole'. " |
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Sue of Chilbolton says: |
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21:00 on Thursday 15th October 2009 |
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"Andover does definitely not need Poundland. The old Woolys store needs to be occupied by Matalan,Primark or a department store.Either that or convert the interior into several small integral units that can be occupied by a good quality mix of retaliers. This would give much needed variety to the town centre. The town is dying and Poundland would be the final nail in the coffin." |
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Julie of Andover says: |
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18:36 on Thursday 15th October 2009 |
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"The old Woolies has loads of floor space, surely Poundland wouldn't be able to utilise all of that space? How much stuff can you buy for a pound!
I think the town needs a department store of some kind. There is a definite lack of menswear and childrens/teens clothing available to buy in the town." |
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John Newell of Andover says: |
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18:25 on Thursday 15th October 2009 |
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"I've got nothing against Poundland but as has already been said they should move into smaller premises such as the old Music Zone store. The Woolies building should be occupied by a proper department store; it'd bring some life back into the town centre." |
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carol of andover says: |
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16:23 on Thursday 15th October 2009 |
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"I would love to see a departmant store that offers a range of things,Like maternity clothes have you tryed to get maternity clothes in andover i had to go to basingstoke to get anything decent,Mothercare would be really good as well anything exept another pound shop." |
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All for a Department Store of Andover says: |
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16:13 on Thursday 15th October 2009 |
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"It was stated a while back,that none of the large department stores would come to Andover unless the population increased, well if Picket Twenty and Picket Piece development's ever get of the ground,there is our increase." |
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caroline mattock of pilgrims way says: |
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15:58 on Thursday 15th October 2009 |
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"it would be lovely to have a big department store like debenhams or a matalan in andover has what other shops is there in andover for clothes for all types of ages i have 3 children and i have to go out of andover sometimes to buy clothes and shoes for them has the shops in andover are not very good" |
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Sandra of Andover says: |
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13:24 on Thursday 15th October 2009 |
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"Oh no,not another cheapy shop!!!Why is there no vision what so ever.We lived in Epsom years ago and there was so much more facilities and more exiting shops.The only good thing is i don`t spend any money here,and i save it in the bank!!!!!!!!!!" |
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Jenny of Andover says: |
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13:24 on Thursday 15th October 2009 |
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"I've recently moved to Andover and in the main i love it but i really agree with a majority of the comments i've read which ask for a little more "forward planning" and the introduction of a "quality" store in Andover. We have Wilkinsons and lots of little shops that undoubtedly offer great value for money, i want to shop in town a lot more but there are none of the bigger names that i would love to see. Debenhams, for example, one store that has a number of different departments providing variety, that would encourage me to walk into town and shop rather than head to Southampton to do my big shops. Please don't allow the town to become a "pocket money town". I want to spend my money in town but i would like the element of choice. Also, i'm sorry but the argument that the disused store could become another betting shop does not wash, you'll prey on the already financially crippled people in the town, i couldn't think of anything any worse to be honest. " |
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claire of near andover says: |
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13:21 on Thursday 15th October 2009 |
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"the town centre needs cheaper rents and it needs a town council forum that is not made up of smaller retailers.
this town needs larger retailers. all we seem to get is charity shops and mcdonalds!
we need bigger stores like british home stores, matalan, morrisons, top shop, primark, debenhams, department stores, maybe not all in the town centre but more out of town choice too!
as i say until we get rid of the town council forum made up of small independant retailers and a council that charges less than the £75,000 plus annual rents on town centre shops, this town will end up with more of like it has now - with the exception of M&S, Dorothy Perkins and Burtons, pound shops, cheap clothing retailers, cheap sports outlets, more charity shops, more jewellers, more markets, and people opposed to us even using the guildhall that seems to be only used for second hand book sales and tool sales, instead of a restaurant chain. and talking of food all we get is mcdonalds, jennys, processed food with no imagination!
come on test valley wake up and smell the oppurtunities! and if you don't want change then just sit there and watch andover go down the swanny" |
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Mandy of Andover says: |
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13:15 on Thursday 15th October 2009 |
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"It is up to the landlord who goes into the old woolies shop, and I'm sure they won't care who it is as long as they are paying rent. However, I think it is a great shame Andover can't seem to attract more 'quality' retailers who would add value and attract shoppers into the town. A perfect site for a department store surely.
Poundland would certainly NOT add to my shopping experience in Andover!! " |
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Margaret of Andover says: |
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13:10 on Thursday 15th October 2009 |
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"I agree with Martin & David, store is too large for Poundland, do not need. Need a STORE like Bradbeers, Romsey or Matalan, please!" |
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David of Andover says: |
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13:02 on Thursday 15th October 2009 |
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"I think Pundland would struggle to utilise that space effectively. Also the high overheads of such a store would make their job harder. I believe there is already a £1 for everything shop in the Chantry Centre which would be in direct competition.
Andover is becoming more of a dormitory town, those with any choice and transport shop elsewhere." |
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Martin of Andover says: |
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11:55 on Thursday 15th October 2009 |
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"Poundland! Oh my god, what on earth is this town coming too? The old Woolworths store is a very big retail space and it should be reserved for a quality retailer, one which would keep and attract shoppers to our town. The council should be doing their best to promote and attract a department store. I do sincerely hope that Poundland does not come to Andover, we deserve better than that!" |
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David of Andover says: |
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10:25 on Thursday 15th October 2009 |
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"Barbara...the council have NO control over which retailers move into Andover.
'Planning' in fact cannot 'plan' what kind of shopping experience we get!I know, not an encouraging thought is it, but perhaps explains why we have a town full of ....?!
Poundland....? Burger King for Merityres site, what next....a toxic waste dump for the Guildhall?
I would have thought the old woolies would make a great charity emporium/cardshop/betting shop/cafe....Wouldn't that be great!? " |
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Samantha Lewis of Shipton Bellinger says: |
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08:45 on Thursday 15th October 2009 |
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"I heard that Poundland pulled out because town is too dead and the High Street too quiet to make any money." |
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Claire of Andover says: |
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08:30 on Thursday 15th October 2009 |
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"Poundland is just not a big enough shop for a store as big as Woolworths, there are other empty stores it could go in to - the old MVC or QS store are more than big enough. Andover would benefit from a Primark, Matalan Or even a BHS." |
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Richardson of Andover says: |
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08:23 on Thursday 15th October 2009 |
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"Wellworths which is currently in Dorchester could bring another store to Andover, we all loved Woolworths and this store does the same products. They could also help out the unemployment in the area by re-employing the ex Woolworths staff and more.
Or maybe a baby shop like Mothercare???" |
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Maggie of Andover says: |
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08:14 on Thursday 15th October 2009 |
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"
Primark is a good choice, especially for the young and there are plenty of young people in Andover. Most travel to Basingstoke to shop in the store my daughter included. Young people like to make there money go further, this would be a great option and good buisness for the town. " |
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barbara of andover says: |
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08:00 on Thursday 15th October 2009 |
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"If this comes to the town it really will become Chavsville. Has this council got no vision?" |
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