Sunderland and Durham Area - Retail

[horokeio]

I note with interest that Sunderland is to get its first branch of Schuh, the popular, mid-market, young-orientated shoe shop. A positive move both in terms of expanding the city centre's retail offer, and of occupying prime space that has recently been empty. It's probably overdue, but also quite a coup for the Bridges to attract such a good, solid, high-profile national name.

What other shops would you like to see in Sunderland? Which ones would you like to see open in Sunderland in an ideal world? And which ones do you think would have a realistic chance of prospering in Sunderland?

[Eaomatrix]

Originally Posted by horokeio

I note with interest that Sunderland is to get its first branch of Schuh, the popular, mid-market, young-orientated shoe shop. A positive move both in terms of expanding the city centre's retail offer, and of occupying prime space that has recently been empty. It's probably overdue, but also quite a coup for the Bridges to attract such a good, solid, high-profile national name.

What other shops would you like to see in Sunderland? Which ones would you like to see open in Sunderland in an ideal world? And which ones do you think would have a realistic chance of prospering in Sunderland?

Where in the city is the new Schuh store opening then?

[gonzo1985]

Originally Posted by horokeio

I note with interest that Sunderland is to get its first branch of Schuh, the popular, mid-market, young-orientated shoe shop. A positive move both in terms of expanding the city centre's retail offer, and of occupying prime space that has recently been empty. It's probably overdue, but also quite a coup for the Bridges to attract such a good, solid, high-profile national name.

What other shops would you like to see in Sunderland? Which ones would you like to see open in Sunderland in an ideal world? And which ones do you think would have a realistic chance of prospering in Sunderland?

Apple?
Band & Olufson?

to be honest, I'd prefer to see more high-end independent retail (like Eleven) opening up, but it's still good to see national retailers having faith in the city.

[sterock85]

Originally Posted by Eaomatrix

Where in the city is the new Schuh store opening then?

Im sure it's in the Brdiges, but unsure exactly where in the Bridges.

Would like to see more of these shops open on Fawcett Street.

[horokeio]

Originally Posted by Eaomatrix

Where in the city is the new Schuh store opening then?

Next to H&M in the Crowtree Mall.

[horokeio]

Originally Posted by gonzo1985

Apple?
Band & Olufson?

to be honest, I'd prefer to see more high-end independent retail (like Eleven) opening up, but it's still good to see national retailers having faith in the city.

Hahaha, slightly optimistic for now. I was thinking more like Whittards of Chelsea and Lush.

Agree about the high-end independent retailers though. There are actually quite a large number of these types of shops in the centre of Sunderland (including clothing shops, non-clothing shops, salons, coffee shops, eateries I can think of twenty off the top of my head), but they are scattered so disparately lots of people barely notice they're there. With a more cogent and forceful retail strategy, these could be gradually grouped in the same area - be it Sunniside or Fawcett Street or the so-called Park Lane Shopping Village (Olive and Derwent Streets), which I think would be a very good thing for the city centre.

[sterock85]

Lush would be a good addition.

Id also prefer to see HMV moved into bigger premises in the future, as the current location is far too small.

[Smash17]

I agree, HMV is in a very good location but is far too small, I often end up leaving without anything because it's so busy and the queues are so long.

[sterock85]

Yes! ive done the same before due to the cues and the the lack of spcae. I hate feeling crammed in a shop.

[horokeio]

Originally Posted by sterock85

Yes! ive done the same before due to the cues and the the lack of spcae. I hate feeling crammed in a shop.

They've branched into snooker and billiards equipment? News to me

Never mind HMV expanding, Sunderland could do with some proper competition to HMV in the record shops department. Even when I started buying music (about 1996), there was Woolworths, Our Price, HMV and one next to McGurks that I can't remember the name of. Then along came Music Zone shortly after that. Nowadays, besides Tesco Metro and a couple of decent independent shops up near Park Lane, HMV owns the entire market for CDs, DVDs and the like.

[horokeio]

I'm pleased to announce that Schuh has opened and appears to be doing a roaring trade the handful of times I've been in. Sadly the two shops to the left - previously Jack Jones and the travel agengy - both still stand empty. The coffee shop (BBs) next to Starbucks has sadly been put out of business by, I would guess, Starbucks. Lush would be an excellent addition to that part of the Bridges, as would Holland and Barrett (underperforming in its current location), Tie Rack, Whittards, perhaps a Disney store, all of which I think would be easily supported by Sunderland.

[sterock85]

Anyone able to make a list of List of retailers in Sunderland City Centre?

Clothing shops i.e USC etc, Independant shops i.e Athrodite etc....and so on..

[kingdom bhoy]

I see they are reopening their shops in Sunderland.

[denm]

Originally Posted by kingdom bhoy

I see they are reopening their shops in Sunderland.

I didn't know they were still in business, ---I thought they had sold up.

[kingdom bhoy]

Originally Posted by denm

I didn't know they were still in business, ---I thought they had sold up.

There was a full page spread in the Echo last night advertising the Masons shops reopening.

[denm]

Originally Posted by kingdom bhoy

There was a full page spread in the Echo last night advertising the Masons shops reopening.

Ah ok --I didn't get the Echo last night, cheers.

[architect1976]

Norman Mason has his sticky little fingers in too many pies, he'll have 'found' the money from somewhere to pay his tax bill and allow the shops to re-open.

[denm]

Originally Posted by architect1976

Norman Mason has his sticky little fingers in too many pies, he'll have 'found' the money from somewhere to pay his tax bill and allow the shops to re-open.

Is he still involved in the horse racing game, ?

[horokeio]

I think that'd take a while, but we could attempt it collaboratively. I know the Bridges has a website featuring a run-down of premises located within.

Here: http://www.thebridges-shopping.com/stores/search.aspx

[horokeio]

On another note, does anyone agree it's worth raising the profile of the question of an SAFC club shop in the city centre? Quinny and the club board would be a good place to start, and possibly Land Securities to garner some background info?