Waterlooville’s branch of Swinton Insurance is closing. A sign on the door says the ‘new home’ will be in North End although the branch in North End has been established for a number of years.
Our thanks to Tim for the tip.
by Steve Mayne
Waterlooville’s branch of Swinton Insurance is closing. A sign on the door says the ‘new home’ will be in North End although the branch in North End has been established for a number of years.
Our thanks to Tim for the tip.
Isn’t it easier to just give us a list of what’s left that’s open ??
Unfortunately I think you might be right…
Another place gone.
Nobody goes to the shops down there.
People do but still not as busy as it could as a independent shop there its only us being affected and you can tell it’s so sad
It was a thriving shopping place in 1990s now its a shadow of its former self.
Another one bites the dust!
I know. Have another one to post in the next few days :(
Online has killed retail!
I too thought that for a time, but Petersfield, Emsworth, Chichester, I’m quite sure those towns have the internet and they seem to all be doing okay? Is food for thought Tina?
I know lots of shops in these areas that are struggling and it’s because everyone can get things far cheaper on the Internet. I also had a shop and I’m glad I’m out of it.
Been to Chichester, Winchester & Petersfield in the last few weeks, and they’re lively and bustling. There’s a good community feel about them, and folks look happy to be out. People walking around Waterlooville look as miserable as the town itself ! ð
Ray Palmer agree to disagree,
Urrmmm! Chichester and Winchester are lively and bustling? Well considering that they are cities, cathedral cities, county cities at that and have a number of tourist attractions there would be something wrong if they weren’t! There is no comparison, equally you only have to see the demographics for Petersfield and Emsworth to see why they are successful.
Sadly Waterlooville has become two centres, the Dukes Walk, Waitrose/Wilkinson and the retail park and the bit in between gets forgotten
Petersfield, Emsworth and Chichester have far higher average general earnings for the people living there, so those people are not so likely to be trying to reduce spending and more likely to be in a position to support local retailers. Sad fact is that when employers pay employees low wages, they can’t afford to buy the products the retailers sell, and will hunt around for the lowest prices, which are usually online. Sad fact is that most stuff I buy is not just slightly cheaper online, it’s sometimes half the price.
Both retail parks are doing very well, so why are the two retail parks doing well whilst the precinct has gone down the toilet? The retail parks and the precinct have the same demographic, is it fair to say it is more complex than than just the general earnings?
Small business are finding it very difficult to survive, all the overheads you have to pay is so high it’s just not worth all the hassle and stress hence why lots of shops close.
That is a fair point Steve, my view is that it could be down to the lack of an “anchor” store. The anchor store was once Tesco, then Woolies, then Boots which remains. When Boots was the only chemist available then the footfall to and from would be high and therefore people may have been more inclined to use other shops. However, both ASDA and Waitrose have chemists so there is no need for people to make the trip to Boots, therefore lack of footfall. Just an observation!
Will it become a Betting Shop, or a Charity Shop, or a Coffee Shop? We’re desperately in need of all three ….! ð
Another Estate Agent will bring us up to 20!
How about an Estate Agent with a Cafe and Betting Shop inside?
That works for me!
Paula Harckham-gates Gary Lewis
They can’t shut my shop. Enjoyed my time managing there. Learnt from the the master.
You certainly did !
Another empty shop !!
It’s so sad, it’s us in the little independent shops in Waterlooville that’s mainly affected from all the closing as less people to the town
Waterlooville will be a ghost town soon at this rate. I feel sorry for the traders that are left, it can’t be easy especially as the rents are not cheap.
Best off shutting everything down. The place has been dying for years.
It certainly needs reboot …
Are there any shops left in waterlooville ?
Writing was on the wall ages ago.
I used them for my insurance, speak to a real face, support local shop, employment etc, all the usual reasons
However there was a smell of urine being extracted over the last few years when I could get same insurance from Swinton on line, with the same company, on line for less
I used to print the on line Swinton quote off, take it in and they would umm & arr, speak with someone else, then graciously match the quote they had given already me on line
Not the employees fault of course, but a few pennies I never bothered about, but tens of pounds make me sit up