Bourton on the water

[warnie]

Visited there today, and if any independent retailers want to see how independent retailing is done to a very high standard then I recommend you visit there.

There from what I could see was only one generic shop, which was a Londis. The rest were all independent retailers which was great to see, and for once I didn't mind following the wife around like a lost puppy:redface:.

Went to Gloucester the day before and that in comparison was very poor, just a city centre full of generic shops. But Bourton on the water was far better, are there many places like this left where the big boys and charity shops haven't taken over?

 

[HGSecurity]

Yep, Presteigne is just like that - a step back in time

 

[Faevilangel]

you were just around the corner from me, I am literally 10 minutes north of Bourton

It's an amazing place, only 3 national chains (londis, co-op and edinburgh woollen mill) with loads of independents which are all unique and offer a wide variety of merchandise.

I also agree on Gloucester, it's a dump and I hate having to go into there.

Close to Bourton you have:

Chipping Norton
Cirencester
Tetbury

All have amazing independents (Cirencester has quite a few nationals but they fit the mix well).

 

[Nuno]

I wonder how many of the exemplary Bourton retailers would survive outside of a very high income area?
Just askin'

 

[The Byre]

I wonder how many of the exemplary Bourton retailers would survive outside of a very high income area?
Just askin'

er - um - none?

 

[Faevilangel]

Not much of a high income area but it is a busy tourist area.

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[warnie]

I wonder how many of the exemplary Bourton retailers would survive outside of a very high income area?
Just askin'

No idea, it was just great to see how different the shops were. Also to say how bad the weather was, trade in the shops at first seemed good but I must admit there didn't seem to be too many buying, so I wouldn't like to say how easy they do have it.

Still, I took lots of photo's like the Chinese tourists and got some good ideas to use in my own shop.

 

[warnie]

you were just around the corner from me, I am literally 10 minutes north of Bourton

It's an amazing place, only 3 national chains (londis, co-op and edinburgh woollen mill) with loads of independents which are all unique and offer a wide variety of merchandise.

I also agree on Gloucester, it's a dump and I hate having to go into there.

Close to Bourton you have:

Chipping Norton
Cirencester
Tetbury

All have amazing independents (Cirencester has quite a few nationals but they fit the mix well).

Your lucky to live near there. I looked into an estate agents and noticed a shop up for lease. £16k a year rent, and it must have been the only vacant premises there. I checked it out and it looked great for a sweet shop, then I noticed Sweet Memories over the road/river from it and also another tiny sweet shop just around the corner. All pie in the sky of course, it's just nice to dream for a few minutes:redface:

 

[Feldon]

Warnie

The main sweet shop is for sale in Bourton on the Water, its not far from where i live, think it was around £59K with turnover of £85K + vat and s.a.v £5kish. Bit out of my price range and to honest if you can find the right location you could open your own for a fraction of the price. My parents popped in at the weekend for me as they know i was interested in opening a sweet shop.

Try going there in the winter though, can be very quite.

 

[Stuart Bailey]

Pershore is similar and doesn't have the tourist trade. The same applies for Ledbury.

There are plenty of places up north which I can think which are great for small independent retailers.

 

[warnie]

Warnie

The main sweet shop is for sale in Bourton on the Water, its not far from where i live, think it was around £59K with turnover of £85K + vat and s.a.v £5kish. Bit out of my price range and to honest if you can find the right location you could open your own for a fraction of the price. My parents popped in at the weekend for me as they know i was interested in opening a sweet shop.

Try going there in the winter though, can be very quite.

Would that be the Sweet memories one?

 

[patientlady]

So pleased to have seen this thread as visiting Broadway this weekend for a 3 day break. Apart from Bourton on the Water as described, which seems a must, can anyone recommend where we should visit in the area, both daytime and in the evening at all? Not purely retail as the other half will only cope with one day of shopping or looking. Would be grateful, thanks and hope OP doesnt mind me posting this...

 

[Faevilangel]

So pleased to have seen this thread as visiting Broadway this weekend for a 3 day break. Apart from Bourton on the Water as described, which seems a must, can anyone recommend where we should visit in the area, both daytime and in the evening at all? Not purely retail as the other half will only cope with one day of shopping or looking. Would be grateful, thanks and hope OP doesnt mind me posting this...

As my previos post, cirencester us great as it has a few things to do including a large park, an ampitheatre and a Roman museum.

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[cjd]

Also worth having a look at The Laines in Brighton - properly alternative and a model a lot of bigger towns and cities are trying to learn from.

 

[Feldon]

Would that be the Sweet memories one?

http://www.daltonsbusiness.com/conf...op-very-busy-high-s-gloucestershire-uk/262201

if you send me a private message with your email i will send you the particulars. Although it does not mention the name i'm almost certain it is the Sweet Memories one.

 

[alanc]

So pleased to have seen this thread as visiting Broadway this weekend for a 3 day break. Apart from Bourton on the Water as described, which seems a must, can anyone recommend where we should visit in the area, both daytime and in the evening at all? Not purely retail as the other half will only cope with one day of shopping or looking. Would be grateful, thanks and hope OP doesnt mind me posting this...

I, too, live in this area and can help with ideas. What do you like doing?

For hubby, the Gloucestershire-Warwickshire Railway is just a little south of Broadway at Toddington (if he likes that sort of thing).

Winchcombe is very picturesque and has lots of indie shops.

 

[MASSEY]

Sounds like they are in desperate need of a tesco to me

 

[SillyJokes]

isn't there a model village in Bourton on the Water? So cute.
Cotswolds wildlife park is nice.

But it is a high income area - it's the Cotswolds where Londoners go to pretend they live in the country?

 

[Miss Chris]

My nan used to live in Bourton! so spend alot of the summer there when I was younger. We often visit now and have a picnic or play in the water. It is such a lovely place with some great shops - The Christmas Shop! all year round!

Being in the Sign Business I also noticed how everyone has in kept with a classy sort of style and nothing in your face!

 

[alanc]

isn't there a model village in Bourton on the Water? .

Yes, and it's Listed, or a Heritage Site, or something now.

But it is a high income area - it's the Cotswolds where Londoners go to pretend they live in the country?

Right again. Especially people from the media.

 

[Feldon]

Other near-by towns that are worth a visit are Stow-on-the-Wold, Burford, Broadway, Chipping Camden, Chipping Norton and Moreton-in-Marsh.

 

[cazza]

We used to visit "Birdland" in Bourton on the Water as we used to keep and breed birds, was a lovely day out and gradually over the years it has expanded, it's been a while since i've been tho. (birdland.co.uk) and if my memory is correct i think there is a butterfly farm somewhere round there as well, not sure if your husband would enjoy that tho

 

Our town Whitstable has only 1 small national chain shop,but as said the place is full of hooray henry's from Islington.

In fact its other name is "Islington-on-sea":|

Most of the independant shops are run by bored bankers wives I suspect.

 

[kelvin1950]

Our town Whitstable has only 1 small national chain shop,but as said the place is full of hooray henry's from Islington.

In fact its other name is "Islington-on-sea":|

Most of the independant shops are run by bored bankers wives I suspect.

Your sweet shop is owned by a local builder.

 

[MOIC]

Other near-by towns that are worth a visit are Stow-on-the-Wold, Burford, Broadway, Chipping Camden, Chipping Norton and Moreton-in-Marsh.

Would definately recommend Burford. It has the nicest garden nursery for miles as well as the most delicious organic restaurant to have lunch.

Also a very picturesque shopping street.

Lets hope these places survive, as they are quintessentially English.

Perhaps the landlords of the retail premises see the need for businesses to last, rather than make a quick buck and lose the identity of the village/town.

I dread to think what will be there in 20 years time.

 

[Feldon]

My Office In China, my parents live in Burford, know the garden center very well, fantastic restaurant also has a very good toy shop with in the center.

 

[MOIC]

My Office In China, my parents live in Burford, know the garden center very well, fantastic restaurant also has a very good toy shop with in the center.

I had a customer who lived in Burford.

I actually enjoyed my 90 minute drive from London, knowing that I could visit the nursery for "bits" for my garden as well as enjoying a nice lunch while doing some business..

Alas, now living in China, which is a world away, in more senses than one!