18 replies to this topic

[Matthew (MPJ/Admin)]

There is a planning application, ref CH/2012/0790/FA for a new shop front at 2 Sycamore Road. This is the shop on the corner next to Barclays Bank and until recently a charity shop that did a lot of furniture.

One of the plans shows The Entertainer as the name on the new shop front, so I assume they are moving from Hill Avenue.

This is a large shop, so good to see it used. At one time it was Kerridges, it was extended in the late 60s and sold toys in the extension. It also at one point had an upstairs in the front of the shop. It has also been the home of the post office.

So, this may mean another empty large site on Hill Avenue.

[struthie]

I loved kerridges and the upstairs,used to love looking at ornaments there,I still have a china dolphin that myself and brothers got for my Mum when she was poorly.

[Eaton]

Is it possible that The Entertainer will be in 2 shops? I know that the old Post Office (Kerridge's) is a big shop but is it actually bigger than their present premises?

[Matthew (MPJ/Admin)]

The current Entertainer site I think is a bit of a funny shape, a bit like a triangle wedge, so there may well be more space around the corner. I also notice the two small shops between the current Entertainer and the corner of Hill Avenue appear to have shut, one an estate agent and one a hair dresser.

[Fran]

I wondered if it would be possible to join the two sites round the back, but judging by the satellite imagery on Google Maps, that's not the case. However, if the two properties in between are also empty, that's a different matter. I doubt The Entertainer could support a shop incorporating all four in our small town, but they could perhaps rejig things to use any two current ones.

[03am]

I think the landlord of these shops in the guy who runs the Entertainer? I maybe wrong?!

[147]

I think the landlord of these shops in the guy who runs the Entertainer? I maybe wrong?!

Thats my understanding as well, that Gary owns the old Kerridges site.

[PaulEden]

The two stores I've seen in Bristol are much bigger than ours. I know that Bristol is much bigger than Amersham, but there's enough lines to fill a bigger store. If Amersham is their 'home' store, it'd make sense for it to be a lot bigger.

[Fran]

I think you're underestimating the scale of the difference in size between Amersham and Bristol!

I can quite understand wanting the founding store to be more impressive than it currently is, but however magnificent it might be, the number of toys sold in Amersham will always be relatively small. A huge store here would be an expensive loss-maker.

[David P]

A huge store here would be an expensive loss-maker.

I think you can be assured that Gary Grant won't be doing anything that will make a loss. From a tiny shop in Sycamore Road just over 30 years ago to 71 stores nationwide would seem to indicate that he knows what he's doing. That means he's hard on the heels of the American Toys'R'Us who have 83 stores. And he's achieved this while still refusing to open on Sundays or to stock anything to do with Harry Potter.

[Fran]

I think you can be assured that Gary Grant won't be doing anything that will make a loss.

Yes, that was my point.

[David P]

Yes, that was my point.

It wasn't quite mine. I meant that he could decide to merge all three shops and may do so if he believes it will not be a loss maker.

[Fran]

Ah. We're not doing very well tonight, are we?

I agree with you, though I think it's highly unlikely that an Entertainer filling all the units would be financially viable in Amersham. Time will tell.

[Fran]

According to this week's Examiner (page 7), The Entertainer will move into the site on Sycamore Road that was previously YMCA/Martin/Post Office/Kerridge's, which will be refurbished into a "contemporary retail setting".

Their current premises on Hill Avenue do not yet have a new tenant, though letting it to the YMCA is one option.

Gary Grant also owns what was Starbucks, and in August, this will become... (look away now, Mel)... a coffee shop! But apparently it will be a different sort of coffee shop, being French (but called Harris and Hoole), so "like the Waitrose of coffee shops".

[Eaton]

also owns what was Starbucks, and in August, this will become... (look away now, Mel)... a coffee shop! But apparently it will be a different sort of coffee shop, being French (but called Harris and Hoole), so "like the Waitrose of coffee shops".

Oh joy another one! Still it could be worse it could be another hairdresser!

[freethinking]

Another coffee shop?! Sounds like it's unique selling point may be it is just more expensive than the others!

[PaulEden]

Another coffee shop?! Sounds like it's unique selling point may be it is just more expensive than the others!

Hehe. Very good!

[David P]

They are advertising for a barista (aka serving wench) http://jcp.jobhits.c...ta-id-CHJ-27631

[Delta]

Funny when the quote is "like the Waitrose of coffee shops" when by the sounds of it, it's part owned by Tesco!