We are quite lucky in that we have 3 independents within a half hours drive and 2 are doing reasonably well both offer good service and are always prepared to a deal on higher value items. We don't have a go outdoors locally and the nearest one isn't that good in my opinion. The biggest trouble for our local independents is the number of people who visit their displays get lots of free advice and then go off and buy online
------------- Experience enables you to recognize a mistake when you make it again.
Everything has been said before, but since nobody ever listens we have to keep going back and saying it all over again and again and again
Quote: Originally posted by Hacksaw Bob on 12/3/2013
Quote: Originally posted by flugel on 12/3/2013There is a Gooutdoors in Wolves.... I would love to see smaller independant shops that sell proper quality camping accesories aswell as tents.
Quote: Originally posted by Hacksaw Bob on 12/3/2013
Quote: Originally posted by flugel on 12/3/2013There is a Gooutdoors in Wolves.... I would love to see smaller independant shops that sell proper quality camping accesories aswell as tents.
I've been using my local camping shop (10 miles away), Jacksons of Old Arley since the early 1970's, and I love the shop & the staff. I enjoy spending a couple of hours just mooching around the shop, but I always find something to buy. Jacksons do sell through their website too, so they are keeping up with modern times.
I've recently ordered from Singersoutdoors website, and had excellent personal service from them.
We've got a massive Go Outdoors in Coventry. I occasionally go for a nosey round, but I never buy anything from them. Go are killing off all the independent camping shops, and when they've annihilated the majority of them, they will be able to charge mega bucks for their products as there won't be any competition
Go Outdoors are not killing off independents they are just offering a different retail experience. As stated retail is changing. By operating an online and a bricks and mortar shop the "local" shop can have the whole of the uk market and easily compete with the likes of Go Outdoors by offering a great service and different range.
No doubt if you look at the current batch of successful independent shops they will have an online website. Sometimes your "local" shop can be awful and what do you do then..?
Personally I believe most people's experience of the high street is a romantic idea. The biggest impact on modern retail has been the car. Car ownership has increased massively over the past 70 years and has had a big influence in the way we shop. If we can't park the car we won't shop. One of the reasons why large out of town developments have been successful as well as shopping under one roof and level access and lifts.We may soon live in a future where it's just too costly to own or operate a car and retail may need to change again. Remember mass car ownership is a relatively modern invention run on a power source which has a limited supply. Electric cars are not a solution unless we can find ways of generating the power from a renewable source. The UK is in a dilemma at the moment, power stations are being closed. We have no instant replacements and when building new ones we build gas fired power stations, run on a fossil fuel more limited in supply than coal. Against this backdrop we have more and more devices consuming electricity as well as a possible increase in electric cars. In the near future we may have to ration our electricity consumption and turn the the lights off at night. Of course the controversial fracking technique may produce more gas.
We are lucky having a large family owned store, Camping & General, that is usually as cheap or cheaper than the monster Go Outdoors nearby in Basildon.
It carries a more diverse stock and has very knowledgeable people serving . Their spare parts department is wonderful.
I always check first with them before looking on line, as I get a quicker service.
"There's a small camping shop/outlet/franchise in Wyevale, between Donnington and Muxton - and the camping place up at the other garden centre the otherside of Newport (presumably you mean that one is closing though?)"
Both gone now
------------- Ex Trailer tenter, Ex VW Campervaner. Currently Rooftop tenter. Owner of several tents and a garage full of camping gear
There is a garden centre in Wolverhampton that has a large Yeomans store inside, (can't remember the name though). We sometimes get camping stuff from there!!!!
------------- Enjoy life while you can, none of us know what's round the corner!
Quote: Originally posted by ferretlady on 13/3/2013
There is a garden centre in Wolverhampton that has a large Yeomans store inside, (can't remember the name though). We sometimes get camping stuff from there!!!!
A day of all things motorhome and campervan. The show is held both in the main indoor arena and across the grounds. Catering, hot drinks and food options are available. Easy access to the site and free parking included. Win one of five pairs of day tickets
Topic: Losing all the camping stores
