[The Mole]

Byker Retail Park

Something afoot at the building next to ASDA - I have a recollection of family bargains sniffing about there.

Noticed yesterday that Poundland is closing down with a relocation to Kingston Park.

 

[The Mole]

I see there were a number of Planning Applications on the Newcastle Planning Portal this week in respect of the externals to the proposed Tesco Express in Saville Row:

Reference 2013/0689/01/DET
Alternative Reference PP-02635148
Application Received Fri 10 May 2013
Address 10 - 13 Saville Row Newcastle upon Tyne
Proposal Installation of new shop front painted Grey (RAL 7037)
Status Pending Consideration
http://publicaccess.newcastle.gov.u...ils.do?activeTab=summary&keyVal=MML5MVBSAP000

Reference 2013/0707/01/DET
Alternative Reference PP-02635384
Application Received Fri 10 May 2013
Address 10 - 13 Saville Row Newcastle upon Tyne
Proposal Installation of ATM and security camera above
Status Pending Consideration
http://publicaccess.newcastle.gov.u...ils.do?activeTab=summary&keyVal=MML5NRBSAP000

Reference 2013/0665/01/ADV
Alternative Reference PP-02636566
Application Received Fri 10 May 2013
Address 10 - 13 Saville Row Newcastle upon Tyne
Proposal Display of 1 x externally illuminated fascia sign, 1 x externally illuminated projecting sign and vinyls.
Status Pending Consideration
http://publicaccess.newcastle.gov.u...ils.do?activeTab=summary&keyVal=MML8GIBSAP000

A third Tesco? Just what Newcastle city centre was missing

 

[The Mole]

This kind of thing has been tried before and failed, just look at how long Cake lasted and that shop was in a much better location.

 

[The Mole]

I am guessing the changes to the monument entrance to Eldon Square are a long way off as Boost are opening a juice bar next door to Maze opposite The Gift Company. It looks like it is close to opening too as they have stickers on the floor saying it is now open.

 

[The Mole]

I see Chilingham Road maybe about to get a Sainsburys Local on the Motor World Site. A planning application has gone in for the store with 2 apartments above.

 

[The Mole]

Yes i guess the deliveries and bins maybe an issue for those living close by.

But really how many of the houses is this going to impact on? I can't help but think no matter what happened to the site somebody would find something to complain about. When you weigh up the inconvenience for 3 or 4 of the houses against the image of the area and the benefits for the people in the area uts surely a no brainer.

 

[The Mole]

Did the shop at Kingston Park open? Wonder if they had problems and decided to return tails between legs.

It makes no sense packing up all the belongings and losing staff for it to reopen a month later

 

[The Mole]

Brand new? They took it over in 04 but it was refurbed in 2011 (I think) and then there are/were plans to develop it further. I personally prefer Galleries store as its bigger, has a better range and is nicer to shop in whereas the Team Valley is a mess.

It didn't used to have darker low ceilings, that was after the last Sainsburys refurb when they went for 'dark cave' approach.

They can do good design the Heaton store is by far the best designed supermarket in the area. Bright well thought out and wide isles. Maybe something like that is needed to attract people to the Team Valley store.

 

[The Mole]

I've only been in there a handful of times, I would agree.

I always find they have really bad lighting in Co-Op stores and get a sense they are a bit dirty and overpriced.

If you are going to overcharge for your produce at least make it a nice experience like Waitrose do.

 

[The Mole]

The high street in Gosforth may have a few challenges in store over the next year or so with Marks & Spencer taking over the Multi York site and Asda looking at having fuel pumps in the car park.hno:

What is the multi york site?

 

[The Mole]

Is it my imagination or has the poundland store moved over 1 unit? i walked past yesterday and saw the unit to the left still had poundland stickers on the door.

 

[The Mole]

I think it has. It's all a bit mad... I assume they are the same footprint and the same landlord.

I can only assume someone was playing hardcore chicken with the lease, you'd think that unless the saving was phenomenal the costs of closing, stripping, re fitting, restocking, reopening would markedly more.

What i am thinking is the unit on the left may still have access to the upper floor and therefore would be more expensive, as i can imagine the 2 would have to be taken. Maybe the thinking behind the move was the creation of a new entrance so a store could rent the upper floor without the need to go through the lower.

The new Poundland unit looks to be the same size as the old one with the same fittings going in.

Talking to the checkout girl in Asda she said Next vans have been in the car park of late. It may mean nothing or it may mean they are looking at the available unit.

 

[The Mole]

What is happening with the former Gamestation unit on Grainger Street? Lots of game boxes and a couple of demo pods set up, but I'm not sure if they were leftovers or restocking - and if it's the latter, who?

It is not the return of the EA pop up shop is it? They had one in Newcastle last Xmas, it was just up from USC

 

[The Mole]

I would have thought Grainger would have been interested in that unit, their current Newcastle store can only fit 10 customers at a time.

 

[The Mole]

Shame about Thats Entertainment some real good bargains in there. The store was always busy so wonder why they have chosen now to close (right before xmas)

 

[The Mole]

Paddy'sHoardingWatch update:

Tesco boards up on Grainger St. Thought that had all fallen through after the licensing decision? Did they appeal, or decide to go ahead without liquor?

Tesco are opening on Grainger street? Where abouts?. Think that is maybe overkill to 4th store to Newcastle City Centre.

 

[The Mole]

Wonder why they were refused an alcohol licence, as i am sure the convenience shop a few doors down use to see alcohol.

 

[The Mole]

What does the expansion entail? Are they knocking through to the old comet unit?

Lets hope the food hall is expanded always packed whenever i am in.

 

[The Mole]

One other Newcastle branch of Sainsbury that we forgot to mention above - Throckley!!

A few years ago they took over that famous West Newcastle store . . . "The Throckley Co-op".

(well, it was 'famous' to me!)

Also one just off the Northumbria University campus where the Warner Cinema use to be. If indications are anything to go by we will also be seeing one on Chilingham Road soon too.

I had no idea there was one in South Gosforth, where abouts?

 

[The Mole]

This makes me a little sad. I hate Sports Direct with an unwavering passion. Grim stores, appalling customer service and miserable staff. Prime site wasted in my opinion.

Completely agree, the stores are like a badly organised jumble sale, i also don't like the fact if you do buy something they try to sell you a premium carrier bag for 69p. I am also not a fan of stores that over inflate an RRP to make a reduction seem better

They employ shoddy tactics on their website too, adding items to your basket that you did not add and making it difficult to remove them. They also list items for a good price but when you click into them find they are extremely large or small sizes. The normal sizes are usually much more making it a very frustrating website.