Echo comment: Why Poundland should be welcomed with open arms
WE pose a question on today's front page.
And it is crucial for Cheltenham, as changes continue apace, that the answer is the right one and that it becomes a shopping destination valued by all.
Rather than having a shopping centre dominated by either top-brand high prices or pound and charity shops, it is the right mix that is crucially needed
It has to be welcome news in the current economic climate if any major retailer sees fit to expand.
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For Poundland to be doing so well in Cheltenham that it is able to add the floor space of the former Peacocks store to its sizeable current shop in High Street will be seen by some as a sorry state of affairs.
But it is not. Poundland will suit the pockets of some who are not able to shop elsewhere regularly but it will also be used by a cross-section of the community. Is there anybody out there who doesn't want the odd bargain these days?
Poundland has also made the decision to expand in so-called affluent areas. It is clearly doing so because it works for the brand.
There may also be concerns that the proposed new Brewery development will not be helped by a "super Poundland" facing the proposed site. It is surely better than it facing out on to empty, boarded-up premises.
What does not work is when part of a town becomes the home of only one type of store. Everywhere needs charity shops, but a whole street of them will quickly damage any retail centre.
As the Cheltenham Development Taskforce and shopping centre managers work to ensure that the town remains a key shopping destination, it is the mix that is crucial.
It won't help to sneer upwards at some shops or look down on others.
EVEN if you haven't got £935,000 to spare, it is still nice to imagine just what it would be like to live in Dr Edward Wilson's former home.
It was here that he developed the love of nature that was to lead to him becoming one of the explorers of his generation.
The story that we retell today of his death of his return from the South Pole never ceases to move.
But, in a life cut tragically short, he still achieved so much. And the inspiration of Cheltenham's countryside cleared played a big part.
Comments
by Bonkim2003
Thursday, October 04 2012, 11:06PM
“TimMessanger - quite right - not all that glitters is gold; attracting people in first with promises to fleece them when they are not expecting is Pondland's market strategy.”
by IsitJimKerr
Thursday, October 04 2012, 2:48PM
“Pheadgirl
.............please note, and learn(!);
'We HAD a friend who.....................'
And besides, they were really up themselves. Like going to a foreign country, and telling THEM how to do things.
Consequently the house was built without the right regs, and they had no leccy for eight months, were running a genny in the garden, stunk of fumes, and the noise.......well.
Still, they got everything fixed, then it rained, and all the windows leaked SLMAO!”
by 2dooks
Thursday, October 04 2012, 1:18PM
“I was taught not to start sentences with the word "but".......”
by Pheadgirl
Thursday, October 04 2012, 12:48PM
“Some friend you are IIJK”
by TimMessanger
Thursday, October 04 2012, 11:34AM
“Why everywhere doesn't want Poundland
1 A lot of the same things can be bought at a supermarket for the same and sometime often lower prices or a larger pack size making better value.
2 Ghost brands, a lot of the "brands" they sell are their own products
3 They prey on the poor and needy!
Watch dispatches on their secrets in Dispatches on 4oD
null”
by IsitJimKerr
Thursday, October 04 2012, 10:28AM
“Is there anybody out there who doesn't want the odd bargain these days?'........no, but many are so snobbish, they either boycott these stores, or use alternative carrier bags!
We had a friend who, when asked, did she ever shop in Aldi or Lidl said 'Definitely not, I haven't worked all these years to go into THOSE places!' That was before they emigrated to Cyprus, lost two businesses, and saw the value of their house halve........LMAO!”