Topic ID 3343
E4 phones in Honey Lane and Yates Menswear in Fore Street.
Reply ID 48140
I.m surprised E4 phones lasted as long as they did given the competition.
Reply ID 48149
I'm also afraid that IMO the demise of Yates illustrates that despite what many on this forum wish for, namely small independent shops rather than Hertford become a 'clone town', desire does not pay the retailer's rent. I cannot honestly say I ever walked past the place and saw anyone in it.
Reply ID 48151
quote:Yates was operating in something of a saturated market in the town. Ditto E4 phones. You need a good location and USP to survive in those circumstances.
Originally posted by Leo Densian
I'm also afraid that IMO the demise of Yates illustrates that despite what many on this forum wish for, namely small independent shops rather than Hertford become a 'clone town', desire does not pay the retailer's rent. I cannot honestly say I ever walked past the place and saw anyone in it.
Reply ID 48153
What's USP?
Reply ID 48154
quote:Unique selling point
Originally posted by James007
What's USP?
Reply ID 48158
quote:Chars Leo. I just wonder what USP might survive in Hertford?
Originally posted by Leo Densianquote:Unique selling point
Originally posted by James007
What's USP?
Reply ID 48160
Farrow n Farrow seem to do OK ... their USP is being served by two very nice portly gents who have a personality and know alot about food and treat you like a human being.
Reply ID 48163
Despite the lack of passing trade I thought Yates would survive.
Reply ID 48167
quote:Maybe in terms of 'up market' menswear, but for younger men, I fail to see any shops that cater for them? Where are the Burtons, the Topmans, the H&Ms, or any independents catering for that age and fashion bracket.
Originally posted by Stevequote:Yates was operating in something of a saturated market in the town. Ditto E4 phones. You need a good location and USP to survive in those circumstances.
Originally posted by Leo Densian
I'm also afraid that IMO the demise of Yates illustrates that despite what many on this forum wish for, namely small independent shops rather than Hertford become a 'clone town', desire does not pay the retailer's rent. I cannot honestly say I ever walked past the place and saw anyone in it.
Reply ID 48173
quote:Cue Sloop with a depressing diatribe on the parlous state of Hertford's infrastructure...
Originally posted by Brockman
Maybe in terms of 'up market' menswear, but for younger men, I fail to see any shops that cater for them? Where are the Burtons, the Topmans, the H&Ms, or any independents catering for that age and fashion bracket.
Reply ID 48174
quote:Oops! I got it wrong again. I always considered the three mentioned above to be too old for me. [:o)] Yates was ok, but because of the price level, there was a fairly compact range. At that level, in a little town, the chances that one of your similarly affluent pals, has bought an identical shirt, is fairly high. Tweedle-dum and Tweedle-dee isn't a good look.
Maybe in terms of 'up market' menswear, but for younger men, I fail to see any shops that cater for them? Where are the Burtons, the Topmans, the H&Ms, or any independents catering for that age and fashion bracket.
Reply ID 48178
quote:Is this remark necessary?
Originally posted by aubend
Cue Sloop with a depressing diatribe on the parlous state of Hertford's infrastructure...
Reply ID 48179
Thats a real loss for Hertford, I remember Yates's opening and thought it would do very well and bought some good clothes from them . They used to have a great range though over time it just went down to one or two labels .Ironically it will probably become another Womens wear shop.
Reply ID 48182
Yates was pricey and never really had a large selection of clothing to cater for all tastes. I believe it was at the wrong end of town also - by that I feel had it been near to Farrow Farrow it would have had a better chance of survival. There are not that many shops at that end of town - dry cleaners, sweet shop, electrical shop (all of which people use regulary) and then apart from that not much else. Marshalls will always survive as they are the only bike shop in town and are always busy. I do fear for retail outlets at that end of town, I wonder what will end up in the two new retail outlets being built by the Sportsman pub near Bollywoods..
Reply ID 48215
Roberto Gerrards is and always will be infinitely better and supplies a great range of clothing for all ages.
quote:
Originally posted by Bubbaoshea
Yates was pricey and never really had a large selection of clothing to cater for all tastes. I believe it was at the wrong end of town also - by that I feel had it been near to Farrow Farrow it would have had a better chance of survival. There are not that many shops at that end of town - dry cleaners, sweet shop, electrical shop (all of which people use regulary) and then apart from that not much else. Marshalls will always survive as they are the only bike shop in town and are always busy. I do fear for retail outlets at that end of town, I wonder what will end up in the two new retail outlets being built by the Sportsman pub near Bollywoods..
Reply ID 48225
quote:Well, I suppose it is if you don't understand or appreciate just how parlous state of Hertford's infrastructure really is?
Originally posted by Stevequote:Is this remark necessary?
Originally posted by aubend
Cue Sloop with a depressing diatribe on the parlous state of Hertford's infrastructure...
Reply ID 48268
Yates is open today [:)]
Reply ID 48270
quote:Well there's business acumen for you! Why didn't they have a sign in the window saying "closed for refurbishment" or "re-opening Friday"? I assumed that all the paper over the windows meant they'd gone (the Sale having failed to rescue them!). Welcome back! [img]../images/forum/yates_closed.jpg[/img] (Taken on a weekday during normal shop opening hours)
Originally posted by Kitty Kat
Yates is open today [:)]
Reply ID 48271
Well lets hope they stock up with the sort of designers you can't get anywhere else in Hertford (unless someone knows better) such as Nicole Farhi, Donna Karan ,Paul Smith etc
Reply ID 48273
quote:They tried that before and it obviously didn't work - they used to stock those brands and went into liquidation.
Originally posted by warren_peace
Well lets hope they stock up with the sort of designers you can't get anywhere else in Hertford (unless someone knows better) such as Nicole Farhi, Donna Karan ,Paul Smith etc
Reply ID 48274
Oh , must have gone downhill after I left then, wonder why ????
Reply ID 48288
quote:Usual problems of retailing in Hertford probably - high rents, rates etc. Low footfall area in terms of what they offered - who knows. Its a strange game retailing in Hertford, but I love it. The Mercury article on the demise of Ware did make me giggle - apparently John Barber is our 'Retail Guru'![:D]
Originally posted by warren_peace
Oh , must have gone downhill after I left then, wonder why ????
Reply ID 48325
Somebody better have a word Kitty Kat, couldve sworn I heard them say they were getting some new stock in soon, "Y'Know..Nicole Farhi.. stuff like that..." Ive started saving up...
Reply ID 48327
I read that article a few times and I can't find a reference to 'retail guru' anywhere. Mind I have had plenty of retail experience having run an Off Licence for 5 years, doubling the turnover in three years to £7000 which is a figure some retailers would like to see in their tills today, 12 years later. So all I know all about stock levels, budgets and Rate of Stock Turn. Part of the Partnership's agreement with East Herts this year was a full database and economic mapping of the town centre; which has been completed. It turned out to be a more positive view of the town than even I expected. It wasn't meant to be released just yet but the Mercury pre-empted me by asking my opinions on the differences between Ware and Hertford. We were also asked for positive press releases so two birds with one stone. That Retail Survey is being uploaded on to the Partnership wensite this week and as soon as it is I will post a link to it on this 'Shopping' board. Then you can all comment accordingly.
Reply ID 48344
All back to normal guys. Yates Menswear seemed open as usual today ... sale and all. Don't know if they had any new stock - the labels always read "unobtainable" to me. This begs the question: why do we immediately assume the worst if a shop closes however briefly? I do it myself ... Any thoughts?
Reply ID 48345
quote:Er, I walked past just a hour ago and they were closed, just like in the picture. Are we talking about the same Yates menswear????? Admittedly I didn't actually try the door, but as I say, they looked exactly the same as in the photo above, which to me says Closed.
Originally posted by xtra_xtra
All back to normal guys. Yates Menswear seemed open as usual today ... sale and all. Don't know if they had any new stock - the labels always read "unobtainable" to me. This begs the question: why do we immediately assume the worst if a shop closes however briefly? I do it myself ... Any thoughts?
Reply ID 48347
Definitely open Steve; and definitely Yates - there's only one. I stopped to look at a nice overcoat in the window - then came over in a cold sweat after seeing the price tag. It must've been real - my fantasies aren't usually that visceral.
Reply ID 48351
quote:Something must be wrong here. How come I see a shop with the windows all papered up? One of us must be going bonkers.
Originally posted by xtra_xtra
Definitely open Steve; and definitely Yates - there's only one. I stopped to look at a nice overcoat in the window - then came over in a cold sweat after seeing the price tag. It must've been real - my fantasies aren't usually that visceral.
Reply ID 48382
No, not bonkers Steve - just crazy. Maybe the shop is short of staff or something so they are not opening all day - which doesn't explain the crazy wallpaper over window routine. I can't think what the point of that is. One of us should ask them if we really, really want to know.
Reply ID 48383
quote:I know that the old metal security shutters were broken, so maybe this is a budget alternative - but a bit time consuming to do each day!
Originally posted by xtra_xtra
No, not bonkers Steve - just crazy. Maybe the shop is short of staff or something so they are not opening all day - which doesn't explain the crazy wallpaper over window routine. I can't think what the point of that is. One of us should ask them if we really, really want to know.
Reply ID 48386
Xtra .. Stop winding Steve up. Yates is definitely CLOSED.
Reply ID 48387
azzza, your suggestion wounds me. It was definitely OPEN. Kitty Kat saw it too.
Reply ID 48390
quote:Has anybody asked Mr Yates? Just a thought....
Originally posted by xtra_xtra
azzza, your suggestion wounds me. It was definitely OPEN. Kitty Kat saw it too.
Reply ID 48400
I was in the shop on Saturday and I entered through the front door .So it was defiantely open then.
Reply ID 48403
quote:Wasn't it a bit dark in there with all that paper in the window?
Originally posted by warren_peace
I was in the shop on Saturday and I entered through the front door .So it was defiantely open then.
Reply ID 48405
It is open as of 11.45 this morning as I passed by!!
Reply ID 48406
Yep, open again today. Took a handy pic for the doubters but I don't know how to upload it.
Reply ID 48407
quote:Definitely closed today at 10am .... closed at the weekend ... and probably closed tomorrow too.
Originally posted by xtra_xtra
Yep, open again today. Took a handy pic for the doubters but I don't know how to upload it.
Reply ID 48408
Steve, where are instructions to upload pics?
Reply ID 48410
The 'paper' over the windows just looks like blinds to me.
Reply ID 48429
Sure enough they were open at 3:30 this afternoon.
Reply ID 48430
No paper on the windows when I was browsing on Saturday (the 26th) ...miffed..must pop in tommorow then. If its open.