[BigLebowski]

La Senza store in Newcastle closing down.

Went into administration a few days ago, they're closing most of their high-profile (read - expensive) stores. Another 'make hay while the sun shines' retailer who won't exist this time next year.

 

[Steve Ellwood]

Went into administration a few days ago, they're closing most of their high-profile (read - expensive) stores. Another 'make hay while the sun shines' retailer who won't exist this time next year.

Is there still one in the MetroCentre?

 

[BigLebowski]

Is there still one in the MetroCentre?

Dunno Steve, i go to Marksies for my undies these days :laugh:

 

[AngerOfTheNorth]

I like both Northern Virgin and Virgin Rock! Hahaha

 

[AngerOfTheNorth]

Sadly, La Senza's stuff wasn't that great. The brand had a decent image and it gave across the impression that it was decent quality stuff, but having bought one or two bits for the girlfriend, it wasn't up to much.

 

[Gary12345]

Is there still one in the MetroCentre?

There is and it's not listed on this first batch of store closures.

 

[battlefieldjohn]

Sadly, La Senza's stuff wasn't that great. The brand had a decent image and it gave across the impression that it was decent quality stuff, but having bought one or two bits for the girlfriend, it wasn't up to much.

Well, I thought she looked great in it.

 

[Seamaster]

Well, I thought she looked great in it.

http://instantrimshot.com/index.php?sound=rimshot&play=true :lol:

 

[AngerOfTheNorth]

Well, I thought she looked great in it.

In your dreams old man! :lol:

 

[newcastlepubs]

Former food store on Newgate Street - next to Halfords has been leased to a new tenant. National non food shop relocating within Newcastle. Surprising given that the property has a fairly short shelf life.

 

[BigLebowski]

Former food store on Newgate Street - next to Halfords has been leased to a new tenant. National non food shop relocating within Newcastle. Surprising given that the property has a fairly short shelf life.

Thats debatable, under the forthcoming economic conditions I can see the Newgate Centre standing for a while yet! They're just wringing out as much rent as possible while its still standing i guess. Out of interest who's moving in (and where are they vacating)?

 

[newcastlepubs]

Thats debatable, under the forthcoming economic conditions I can see the Newgate Centre standing for a while yet! They're just wringing out as much rent as possible while its still standing i guess. Out of interest who's moving in (and where are they vacating)?

I am told the furniture store on the corner of Clayton and Newgate St. Walmsleys.

 

[bigchrisfgb]

It seems that the La Senza store in ES is one of the stores that will defiantly close.

I went in the new Bench store today and I'm shocked at what Bench has become, 5 years or so ago they were bringing out some pretty decent stuff, now it's horrible tacky in your face bling stuff.

 

[newcastlepubs]

It seems that the La Senza store in ES is one of the stores that will defiantly close.

I went in the new Bench store today and I'm shocked at what Bench has become, 5 years or so ago they were bringing out some pretty decent stuff, now it's horrible tacky in your face bling stuff.

Has struck me as becoming Ann Summers without the 'rabbits'

 

[GrahamSoult]

Virgin Money

I just happened to be browsing the Virgin Money site (as a Northern Rock customer), and noticed that Newcastle is going to be one of five cities to get a 'Virgin Money Lounge':

To complement our Stores, we’ll also have Virgin Money Lounges in five cities – Edinburgh, Newcastle, Norwich, Manchester and London. Our Lounges are places where our customers and their guests can relax, and where local communities can meet.

Our Edinburgh and Norwich Lounges are already open. They are free to use and exclusively for Virgin Money customers and their guests.​

http://uk.virginmoney.com/virgin/northern-rock/new-locations.jsp

Sounds like an interesting concept - and I'm curious to see whether it ends up being a revamp of an existing NR branch (which it says elsewhere on the page "will be changing to become Virgin Money Stores", as opposed to Lounges) or a new location entirely.

 

[jkkne]

It appears Mr Branson will be charging £5 for the pleasure of banking with him.

Metrocentre now has its own skid row with Mothercare, Early Learning, Past Times and Hawkins making it soon to be 6 empty shops on Central Upper Mall

 

[flange]

I just happened to be browsing the Virgin Money site (as a Northern Rock customer), and noticed that Newcastle is going to be one of five cities to get a 'Virgin Money Lounge':

To complement our Stores, we’ll also have Virgin Money Lounges in five cities – Edinburgh, Newcastle, Norwich, Manchester and London. Our Lounges are places where our customers and their guests can relax, and where local communities can meet.

Our Edinburgh and Norwich Lounges are already open. They are free to use and exclusively for Virgin Money customers and their guests.​

http://uk.virginmoney.com/virgin/northern-rock/new-locations.jsp

Sounds like an interesting concept - and I'm curious to see whether it ends up being a revamp of an existing NR branch (which it says elsewhere on the page "will be changing to become Virgin Money Stores", as opposed to Lounges) or a new location entirely.

The Virgin Money Lounge in Manchester is already under construction and due to open in February, it is a new location opening on King Street, seperate to a Northern Rock branch just around the corner on Princess Street.

This is the proposed Virgin Money Lounge for Manchester.

More Renders Here

And how it is looking during construction.

Hoardings are now up for Virgin Money at the former Armani Collezioni on King Street.

 

[Steve Ellwood]

It appears Mr Branson will be charging £5 for the pleasure of banking with him.

Metrocentre now has its own skid row with Mothercare, Early Learning, Past Times and Hawkins making it soon to be 6 empty shops on Central Upper Mall

Of course that is £5 per month!

 

[GrahamSoult]

It seems that the La Senza store in ES is one of the stores that will defiantly close.

Here are a couple of shots of the store from earlier today:

Source: Soult's Retail View

 

[bigchrisfgb]

Of course that is £5 per month!

Not really a big deal really. Plenty of banks offer extra benefit current accounts, intact I myself have one.

I think legally though they have to offer a free current account.

Where will the Virgin Money lounge in Newcastle be?, I'm assuming either one of the Northern Rock branches will be used for it. Currently the Northumberland street branch is having work done to it, I wonder if this is what is being done to it, it's probably the more central of the two current Northern Rock branches. The other one though which is just off Pilgrim street is larger though.