Sony returns to Regent Arcade weeks after shutting up shop
JUST weeks after closing, a Cheltenham store is returning with a new boss.
The Sony Centre, based in Regent Arcade, was forced to shut in January when owner Paul Watkins' electrical goods empire collapsed.
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FRESH START: The Sony Centre is reappearing in a new home
But the high-tech store has found a saviour in John Hutchinson Electronics, which has stepped in to bring the electronics brand back to the town.
John Hutchinson, who owns two shops in the town, is rebranding his Panasonic store in the shopping centre as a Sony Centre.
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He will then move his Panasonic items to his general electrical store in High Street.
The news comes just a day after it was revealed dozens of shopping units lie empty across the centre of Cheltenham.
There are currently 62 spots lying vacant in the main part of town with the future of Game and Gamestation also looking uncertain.
Paul Watkins closed his six Sony Centres, including the outlet in Regent Arcade, after his struggling business went into administration in January.
Mr Hutchinson said he is confident the new venture will be a success, despite the previous store failing to survive.
He added: "As soon as I knew the Sony Centre was closing down, I put the wheels in motion.
"We don't think life is going to be a bed of roses but we are putting our heads down. It's a tough world we live in, but we run a very tight ship.
"There is a lot of uncertainty for everybody, but there were other issues surrounding the previous Sony Centre's closure.
"The store was on two floors which is difficult to manage cost effectively.
"But the Regent Arcade lends itself to high-tech products and we are already well-versed in Sony."
Mr Hutchinson has a total of four stores around the country, including Sony Centres in Hereford and Worcester.
He has been running an electronics store in Cheltenham since 1986.
The company has taken on six of the employees from the former Sony store in addition to its own existing staff.
John Forward, centre manager of the Regent Arcade, said he was delighted the brand was returning to the town.
"Sony has always been one of the market leaders in electronics from computers to televisions - it's great to have a Sony Centre back in the Arcade," he said.
Comments
by TheSpeller
Monday, March 26 2012, 10:20AM
“It is easier and less expensive to park in Cheltenham than for years, because the Council has been sensible in repeatedly freezing parking charges.
New on-street meters have displaced commuters and made even more parking available for visitors.
Cheltenham is by far the best place to shop in the county and can't be beaten for its continental feel, great architecture and choice of places to eat....and you certainly can't get all that from the impersonal experience of internet shopping!”
by raidermanuk
Monday, March 26 2012, 12:05AM
“cjbritton
"Stop moaning about nothing!"
Your imperious stance will not endear you to the majority of Cheltenham visitors who feel the cost of parking is excessive.”
by cjbritton
Sunday, March 25 2012, 8:07PM
“GlosAdam11 - unlikely - it closed in Gloucester a before the company went bust as, like other shops such as Blacks, they stated that they can't make money in Gloucester.
NibNobs - parking in Cheltenham is great value - there is the council run multi-storey car park above Lidli which is under £5 for about 4 hours - much cheaper then Gloucester! Sunday parking is £1.50 all day in most car parks and everything is open. Stop moaning about nothing! People still buy certain electrical goods from shops as they want to see them and try them and have a physical place to return to in case of problems.”
by GlosAdam11
Sunday, March 25 2012, 6:32AM
“Does this mean Sony will come back to Gloucester?”
by BNB01
Saturday, March 24 2012, 11:26AM
“Will the new store be called Sony 2012?”
by raidermanuk
Saturday, March 24 2012, 8:47AM
“NibNobs
The same applies to The Panasonic shop however they survive and prosper. The footfall is there so it's up to store management to create the right environment and for sales staff to convert browsers into buyers. As for car parking, couldn't agree more.”
by NibNobs
Saturday, March 24 2012, 8:25AM
“The Sony Centre closed because people viewed the goods in the shop then went on-line and bought them cheaper on amazon, tesco and ebay etc. I can't see people's shopping habits changing now, especially with rip-off parking charges in Cheltenham just adding to shopper's woes.”