Stores Closing in Sligo **mod warning post #720**

bennyc

So 2 Seasons are going which imo is very sad to see and if rumor on the street is to be believed then Currys are not to far behind. I even heard talk the one beginning with A (with a whole lot of fuss getting them here in the first place) it is not supposed to be doing so well.

Basq

I've been hearing this Curry's / PC World are closing rumour for the past 8 months..

.. I'll believe it when I see it!

bobcar61

Supposedly if there is a town/city with a currys and pc world or dixions then only the better performing store will remain open and the other will close.So if PC World is performing better than Currys in Sligo then Currys will close.
I asked the employees of PC World if this was true but they said it was just a rumour!

jimmmy

bennyc wrote: »

So 2 Seasons are going which imo is very sad to see and if rumor on the street is to be believed then Currys are not to far behind. I even heard talk the one beginning with A (with a whole lot of fuss getting them here in the first place) it is not supposed to be doing so well.

It would not surprise me. I heard the "A...." stores elsewhere are performing much better than the one located on the outskirts of Sligo , even considering it only opened a month or so ago. Its too far out of town in Sligo.

Hope Currys does not go, but I fear Allendale + the 2 seasons will not be the end of closures up in Carraroe either.

gino85

jimmmy wrote: »

It would not surprise me. I heard the "A...." stores elsewhere are performing much better than the one located on the outskirts of Sligo , even considering it only opened a month or so ago. Its too far out of town in Sligo.

Hope Currys does not go, but I fear Allendale + the 2 seasons will not be the end of closures up in Carraroe either.

A.... is closer to the town than currys and pc world aint it? but i have heard the let a lot of staff go recently

magnumlady

The A store should have been at the Carraroe retail park. You would really have to want something from them to go there where they are at the moment.
Whereas if they were at Carraroe there would be people visiting other stores that would call in and have a look.

Macroom Man

I spoke to a Chamber of Commerce person last week and she expects that there will be shop closures in Sligo after Christmas.
Some outlets are struggling for a variety of reasons.

Big_Mac

Harry Corry and Toy City are also rumoured to be packing up and going home. The lease for the premises up there are colossal. Way to go Sligo!

Basq

Harry Corry can be good so sad to see that go. But Toy City is horribly over-priced when compared to Smyth's.

Xiney

Well, it's hardly surprising when you think about it

Any large purchases, are cheaper an hour's drive away.

All the same I'd hate to see the stores close up. Often seems like all the jobs in Sligo are in shops.

brianthebard

So what would be left in carraroe if all these shops closed? Halfords and carpet right?? I know things are bad but its hard to see the whole retail park going under.

Xiney

I don't think anyone should have reasonably expected a town the size of Sligo to support as much retail as is in it.

Certainly can't support more than it's got - empty shops all over town and just about everyone still open is struggling.

magnumlady

I read on sligotoday.com that Coopers have closed, not sure if thats permanent or temporary.
Not a shop as such, but they are a Fiat and Alfa main dealer.

GG66

Sligo's closing down! Enniskillen is cheaper

elshambo

Them auld 4 monkies* saw/said/heard nothing
but for a change ****** everything

Service industry economics!

When majority work in retail/service's, everything is based on credit

I get payed from my shop and go to yours
You get payed from your shop and come to mine
NO money is created, its just passed around
Take out, taxes, morgage's, fuel&lights etc and the money getting passed around gets smaller and smaller unless we spend on credit

So i come to your shop on credit and you come to my shop on credit and everyone is happy until one thing goes wrong and then crash

This was always coming, (all)goverments always knew this was coming but if they did something to fix/prevent it years ago, they lose elections, so instead they buy votes with cheap jobs and cheaper promises

Everytime a goverment brags about creating jobs its a call centre or a shopping centre, bubble economy employment!

So after 2 booms we have new kitchens and shiny cars
the hospitals and schools are as rubbish as they always were

Joy of joys
Welcome home Ireland
Im getting on the boat:mad::rolleyes:

*The see no evil hear no evil monkies were originally 4 not 3;)

Xiney

Basically, the only thing that was keeping Ireland afloat was tourism - outside money coming in.


Too bad that's dried up now.


Last job I had, I was in accounts. We used to get invoices (overdue, mind. notice the fact that it was my last job, as in, I got sacked 'cause they didn't have any money) that had little stamps on them saying "please pay!"

One of the stamps said, "pay us, so we can pay them, and they can pay you!"


It was like an epiphany in payables.

elshambo

Xiney wrote: »

Basically, the only thing that was keeping Ireland afloat was tourism - outside money coming in.

Too bad that's dried up now.

And tax breaks to forgien companies
Tax breaks that the workers paid for, so they paid for their own jobs:o
As predicted by Rosanne Barr in 80's no less!

It is however a good time to set up a business if you have an idea that doesnt involve selling furniture/shiny stuff

Time to break out the "boys from the black stuff" video's and start studying:eek:

Xiney wrote: »

Last job I had, I was in accounts. We used to get invoices (overdue, mind. notice the fact that it was my last job, as in, I got sacked 'cause they didn't have any money) that had little stamps on them saying "please pay!"

One of the stamps said, "pay us, so we can pay them, and they can pay you!"

It was like an epiphany in payables.

Ya, I hate being right:rolleyes:


Quick (minor)economy fix!
1. Cut taxes on low paid employees (they will spend the money)
2. Cut taxes on drink in PUBS (get people out of their houses)
1&2 not necessarily related!

Xiney, ul on losing the job:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VCGcljqOSW0
Ps. As far as towns to be unemployed in,
Galway is not far off as good as it gets

jimmmy

In Enniskillen, Argos and the other shops are all within some sort of walking distance of the town centre. Also, you can get parking there.

Who would want to go to Sligo ? Also, the govt in Sligo imposes 21.5% vat rate, versus only 15% up the road, creating an immediate disadvantage for Sligo. The minimum wage etc is all higher in Sligo. The govt does not want business to prosper in Sligo.

Essexboy

jimmmy wrote: »

In Enniskillen, Argos and the other shops are all within some sort of walking distance of the town centre. Also, you can get parking there.

Who would want to go to Sligo ? Also, the govt in Sligo imposes 21.5% vat rate, versus only 15% up the road, creating an immediate disadvantage for Sligo. The minimum wage etc is all higher in Sligo. The govt does not want business to prosper in Sligo.

The govt does not want business to prosper in Sligo
A dress in Sligo yesterday priced at £45 or €70 - a exchange rate of 0.60 - suggests that the government cannot make things much worse than the Sligo shopkeepers alraedy have!

redarmyblues

Zavvi will not sell a gift voucher or take an order anymore, SALES started today so bye bye Zavvi, bye bye Johnston Court walking down O Connell Street will not be the same without contemplating your wide open spaces.

AlmightyCushion

bobcar61 wrote: »

Supposedly if there is a town/city with a currys and pc world or dixions then only the better performing store will remain open and the other will close.So if PC World is performing better than Currys in Sligo then Currys will close.
I asked the employees of PC World if this was true but they said it was just a rumour!

I can't see that happening. If Currys were to go then that's the white goods market gone. Also currys have a better range of tvs and home electronics than pc world so you're losing out on range there if currys was to close. PC World has a much better range of computers, components and things like printer inks. Also the clinic in Sligo is one of the best performing clinics in the country.

DSG also spent a lot of money on a new training session that pretty much every employee in the country had to attend. If we were closing in January then that training session wouldn't have happened. So pc world and currys should be ok for the foreseeable future unless something major happens.

Oh and Dixons are gone already. They've been rebranded as part of currys.

magnumlady

redarmyblues wrote: »

Zavvi will not sell a gift voucher or take an order anymore, SALES started today so bye bye Zavvi, bye bye Johnston Court walking down O Connell Street will not be the same without contemplating your wide open spaces.

I really hope thats not true. I really like that shop and Johnston Court have done a lovely job this Christmas with all the decorations and the free Santa.

AlmightyCushion

magnumlady wrote: »

I really hope thats not true. I really like that shop and Johnston Court have done a lovely job this Christmas with all the decorations and the free Santa.

It could be. Apparently they've been hit badly with this whole deal with woolworths. They are also selling the ps3 and xbox360 below the rrp. In most cases these prices are set by the manufacturer so shops rarely sell below it. It could be a desperate bid to off load the stock. Still though I was in there Sunday and it was really busy.

Xiney

redarmyblues wrote: »

Zavvi will not sell a gift voucher or take an order anymore, SALES started today so bye bye Zavvi, bye bye Johnston Court walking down O Connell Street will not be the same without contemplating your wide open spaces.

My goodness

the only store worth visiting in Johnston Court is going.

AlmightyCushion

Xiney wrote: »

My goodness

the only store worth visiting in Johnston Court is going.

Ah come on now. There was a stall just outside the three store that tried to sell me salt for €90 a few months back. Can't beat a bargain like that.

Xiney

was it that dead sea salt stuff with the really pushy employees that practically assault you running out to "ask you a question"?

AlmightyCushion

Xiney wrote: »

was it that dead sea salt stuff with the really pushy employees that practically assault you running out to "ask you a question"?

Yeah it was that magical crap. In fairness I really wrecked her head. I got her to explain the advantages this stuff had over table salt and a load of crap like that. She eventually copped it that I was taking the piss when I asked her was it any good on chips.

Slidey

I got rounded on by them in Dublin in a shoppin centre.

Bought if for my sis for xmas.

Saying that, as a mechanic it didnt half take the crap off my hands!!!

bobcar61

I heard today that Zavvi are closing down aswell,its a shame to see it go:(

Big_Mac

AlmightyCushion wrote: »

I can't see that happening. If Currys were to go then that's the white goods market gone. Also currys have a better range of tvs and home electronics than pc world so you're losing out on range there if currys was to close. PC World has a much better range of computers, components and things like printer inks. Also the clinic in Sligo is one of the best performing clinics in the country.

DSG also spent a lot of money on a new training session that pretty much every employee in the country had to attend. If we were closing in January then that training session wouldn't have happened. So pc world and currys should be ok for the foreseeable future unless something major happens.

Oh and Dixons are gone already. They've been rebranded as part of currys.

Looks like Currys might be going. Rumor is that they can't compete with the Currys in the north with the exchange rate, prices in general and the proximity of the border.

EuskalHerria

Don't know if it's been mentioned already but Heatons are not coming to sligo now either. No shock really.

AlmightyCushion

Big_Mac wrote: »

Looks like Currys might be going. Rumor is that they can't compete with the Currys in the north with the exchange rate, prices in general and the proximity of the border.

While it is affecting them (how could it not with the exchange rate being so favourable), there is still a lot of people buying this side of the border.

Quackles

AlmightyCushion wrote: »

While it is affecting them (how could it not with the exchange rate being so favourable), there is still a lot of people buying this side of the border.

Yup - I haven't been to Enniskillen in 2 months, just couldn't handle the crowds, I'd rather pay a bit extra and keep my sanity. I've spoken to a large number of like minded individuals in that respect!

redarmyblues

The staff in Bistro Bianconni have been told that they may have no jobs in the new year, due to a dispute over the lease.

Chartbusters staff are increasingly nervous as speculation mounts about the companies future.

A prominent and long established firm of solicitors had problems paying staff their Christmas salaries.

Its not just shops folks.

EuskalHerria

redarmyblues wrote: »

Chartbusters staff are increasingly nervous as speculation mounts about the companies future.

Suprised it has lasted this long tbh?

Hagar

From an observer's perspective it looks like the shoopers of Sligo have closed all the shops in Sligo by shopping in Enniskillen and are now lamenting the fact and looking for someone to blame. Enjoy your cheap beer, share one with an un-employed neighbour.

I fear we are going to see this same tale right across border towns before long.

Xiney

I don't think the people of Sligo are looking for someone to blame - they already blame the prices in the republic for being too high to make it worth their while to support their town.

With Enniskillen so near, it'd be pure lunacy to do any substantial amount of shopping in Sligo. Mr Xiney and I don't even drive, and even then we made our way up north because you'd have to be crazy to pay what they want in Sligo when taking a bus up north is so easy and saves so much money.

darealtulip

I did our shopping for a long time in enniskillen and not because it was cheaper but because you have more choice and everything is there unlike the sligo branches of tesco, dunnes and lidl and fresh, we had overdate stuff in the sligo branches a lot. I always found sligo to be dearer then galway and even dublin. I think the people of sligo brought this uppon their self and they know it.

Essexboy

Zavvi have been put into administration in the UK so the Sligo store seems likely to close soon.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2008/dec/24/zavvi-administration-jobs

jimmmy

Hagar wrote: »

From an observer's perspective it looks like the shoopers of Sligo have closed all the shops in Sligo by shopping in Enniskillen and are now lamenting the fact and looking for someone to blame. Enjoy your cheap beer, share one with an un-employed neighbour.

I fear we are going to see this same tale right across border towns before long.

Excellent post, but its not just the shoppers fault - its the authorities who set the vat rates, the irish minumum wage and price of living etc.

elshambo

jimmmy wrote: »

Excellent post, but its not just the shoppers fault - its the authorities who set the vat rates, the irish minumum wage and price of living etc.

about 2.5% difference in VAT, even in England they reckon that the vat cut was a waste of time and the money would have been better spent on a min wage tax cut.

Its not just the minimum wage!
Nothing wrong with the minimum wage in relation to every other wage in the country when compared to Britain

Min wage doesnt drive inflation of prices, it gets carried by them
Max wages and Average wages drive that and the cost of living

Blaming all and sundry on Min wage is just a cheap political trick that we all swallow at one time or another.

That being said
The level of wages (all wages) in the south when compared to the north is the reason for the price differences

If people earn in the south and spend in the north they will put shops and eventually themselves (however much they earn) out of business!

We earn more therefore pay more!?
Price of living is wages!

As for Zavvi going, that lot (the parent company) will try to blame there problems on the global slow down but they were basically in trouble from the day they changed from Virgin, a rebrand and a lick of paint doesnt fix an ailing business

Its a shame because they shop in sligo is a nice shop and all (+sound staff) but CD/DVD sales are now an interent business (and supermarkets for the chart stuff)

Specialist shops are soon to be a thing of the past im afraid.

Anyone know there last day? there will probably be an everything must go sale

magnumlady

Quackles wrote: »

Yup - I haven't been to Enniskillen in 2 months, just couldn't handle the crowds, I'd rather pay a bit extra and keep my sanity. I've spoken to a large number of like minded individuals in that respect!

Same here, I was there at the end of October and it was just mad, so I've stayed in Sligo since.

Btw where is Chartbusters in Sligo?

SligoBrewer

magnumlady wrote: »

Same here, I was there at the end of October and it was just mad, so I've stayed in Sligo since.

Btw where is Chartbusters in Sligo?

Video City:p

CiDeRmAn

It's said to see stores closing in Sligo alright.
I trained as a nurse in Cregg House, out towards Rosses Point back in 90 to 93 and remember that there wasn't that much really in big retail around the town, from 94 onwards Sligo made great strides in attracting the big names, both domestic and UK, pity to see things regressing slightly, it's a fantastic place, there in the north west.

sailorfoley

from reading news reports in the UK it appears that zavvi ireland is unaffected for the moment - see this Guardian report

That maybe true as surely, in Ireland, stock is located within the republic and not via woolworths in the uk?

darealtulip

jimmmy wrote: »

Excellent post, but its not just the shoppers fault - its the authorities who set the vat rates, the irish minumum wage and price of living etc.

Its not the goverments fault that the sterling is worthless!!

Jabby

Xiney wrote: »

I don't think the people of Sligo are looking for someone to blame - they already blame the prices in the republic for being too high to make it worth their while to support their town.

With Enniskillen so near, it'd be pure lunacy to do any substantial amount of shopping in Sligo. Mr Xiney and I don't even drive, and even then we made our way up north because you'd have to be crazy to pay what they want in Sligo when taking a bus up north is so easy and saves so much money.

What a selfish and short sighted post if you don't mind me saying so.


1. How long does it take you to go up and back there?

2. How much does your petrol/diesel/bus fare cost?

3. How much is each hour worth to you? €10, €15, €20, €25...more?

Calculate all of this and then ask yourself the question... Is this really worth it at the end of the day?

I don't agree with the whole 'galloping up north'...not one little bit.
If everyone took this point of view and run up to Enniskillen to save a few lousy pence, this time next year we would be looking at a Sligo and other border centres possibly resembling ghost towns with decent people out of jobs.... all for the sake of what?...The 'I'm all right Jacks and F**k the rest of you and your jobs' brigade who don't for one minute give a tu'penny damn about the longer term implications of their selfish trips up north.

This is a time when we should all try to bite the bullet for one year even. By supporting your local traders, we will be helping to save valuable jobs. I don't have a business or anything like that in Sligo and have no vested interest but I can see the long term damage that will be done for ALL of us if this trend continues.

For God's sake, resist the temptation of very short term savings and shop locally.
A lot of our northern cousins by the way, wouldn't dream of spending a penny down here even in the good times. Some have never even been down here on a diesel or petrol run!

Happy Christmas.
rgds,
Jabby.

Xiney

I'm sorry but from my perspective, I'm already having to bite the bullet because there aren't any jobs in this country for me.

So I'll save money where I can - and if it's worth my while going up north so be it. Bus fare is 17 euro if I remember correctly - yet if I buy something for 50 pound chances are I'm saving about 25 euro off what I'd pay for it here. If you buy something for 500 pound, that's a saving of 250 euro and it's no longer something to sneeze at when there's a recession on and everyone is feeling the pinch.


What jobs would I really be saving here? Some minimum wage pure crap **** junk jobs that the people in them are overqualified but can't get anything else? screw that - the government in this country should have enticed REAL companies to hire Irish people rather than the likes of Tesco.

Culchie

Xiney wrote: »

What jobs would I really be saving here? Some minimum wage pure crap **** junk jobs that the people in them are overqualified but can't get anything else? screw that - the government in this country should have enticed REAL companies to hire Irish people rather than the likes of Tesco.

I employ 4 local lads all highy educated and well paid. Businesses going bust in Sligo is good for no-one and will have a knock on affect for every other business in the area.
I think you are out of line

AlmightyCushion

Xiney wrote: »

What jobs would I really be saving here? Some minimum wage pure crap **** junk jobs that the people in them are overqualified but can't get anything else? screw that - the government in this country should have enticed REAL companies to hire Irish people rather than the likes of Tesco.

A job is a job. Someone is better off in a minimum wage job than unemployed. The country itself will be better off as well. Just because those over-qualified people aren't in minimum wage jobs doesn't mean they will automatically get a better paying job that suits their qualification.

Saying that I don't care if anyone goes north for their shopping.

Xiney

This recession is going to suck. There's no question about that - but it will hopefully also serve as a wakeup call. If not for the government, then for the voters.

And until then, I'm not wasting money to be patriotic to a country that has done very little to make me feel welcome.