Rescued for the fourth time, can Ethel Austin really have a future?
When value clothing retailer Ethel Austin fell into administration for the fourth time in as many years three weeks ago, it’s fair to say that its chances of...
Read more....Author: Graham Soult
L’Occitane en Provence heads to Newcastle’s Eldon Square
L’Occitane en Provence, the upmarket beauty products retailer, is to open a standalone shop in Newcastle’s Eldon Square next month. Details of the September store...
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Breaking news: TJ Hughes to return to Middlesbrough as Metro Outlet makes way
TJ Hughes is to reopen its store in Middlesbrough’s Captain Cook Square, it has been confirmed. The move comes almost exactly a year after the...
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Mixed news for North East high streets as 22 Peters Bakery shops are saved, but 34 close
Scarborough-based Cooplands snapped up 22 stores from Peters Bakery yesterday, following its Durham-based rival’s collapse into administration back in June. The deal announced by the...
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Customers get first glimpse inside Newcastle’s new Primark
Going away for a summer holiday is usually a prompt for interesting retail things to happen in my absence, and this month has been no exception....
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Hammerson reveals Armani and Jamie’s Italian for Newcastle’s Monument Mall – then deletes it
It seems that Hammerson, the owner of Newcastle’s Monument Mall, may have inadvertently revealed two of the tenants that it’s signed up for the redeveloped...
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As big-name retailers crowd the bathrooms market, how can the indies fight back?
Though I get to work with plenty of bathroom retailers through my Home Interiors Directory website, it isn’t a sector of the retail industry I’ve really blogged...
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Stunning new entrance planned for Newcastle’s Eldon Square
Plans to be officially unveiled later this week reveal that the Northumberland Street entrance to Newcastle’s Eldon Square shopping centre is set to undergo a massive makeover. The...
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“Stores are still an absolute”: Retailer Q&A with Outdoor World Direct
If you ever needed proof that the present-day high street is about winners and losers rather than the general decline that the media would have...
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Woolaballoo.com and Deli at Number 4: Hexham’s new breed of web-savvy independents
I’ve often commented on Hexham’s very low retail vacancy rate, and the fact that the town’s empty units rarely stay empty for long. Arrivals in...
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Newcastle’s revamped Wilkinson is better and brighter
Since Wilkinson, the family-owned hardware and variety chain, quietly launched its new logo and store format over three years ago, the refreshed look seems to have...
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Photo update: Gateshead Peacocks prepares for reopening
Following yesterday’s news that EWM Group is to reopen the previously closed-down Peacocks store in Gateshead, I took an early-evening trip into the town centre to see...
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Peacocks confirms imminent reopening of Gateshead town centre store
Rescued fashion retailer Peacocks has confirmed that it is to reopen its store in Gateshead town centre, most likely this coming Friday (22 June). Edinburgh...
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As Trinity Square shoots up, the demolition of Gateshead Tesco nears its end
Seven weeks after it shut its doors to customers, only a tiny fragment of Gateshead’s former Tesco superstore remains standing. Thompsons of Prudhoe – who...
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Poundworld takes over Middlesbrough’s ex-Peacocks, as it opens its 30th store in 15 weeks
Middlesbrough might have lost its Pure Party store in the fallout from Clinton Cards’ collapse, but as some retailers depart the town others are arriving...
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Eldon Square among saved stores as American Greetings snaps up 397 Clintons sites
Yesterday’s news that Lakeshore Lending Limited, a subsidiary of card manufacturer and supplier American Greetings, has bought the brands and assets of Clinton Cards – including...
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“There’s a nice niche market there”: Retailer Q&A with Geordies Everywhere
Think of online retail, and the chances are that the big-name players, such as Amazon and Asos – or perhaps a multichannel powerhouse like John...
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The closure of Hoopers department store in Carlisle, and what might replace it
The recent news that Hoopers in Carlisle is to close is clearly a disappointing development for the city, but it’s also very sad for anyone – like me...
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Heron Foods launches new website and plots further expansion
Heron Foods, the Hull-based discount supermarket chain, has launched a new website as it takes its first steps into cyberspace. Described by Retail Week in...
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Bright, Hip and Stylish: Newcastle’s new BHS impresses – for the most part
Given my extensive coverage of the build up to Newcastle’s new BHS store in Northumberland Street, you won’t be surprised to learn that I’ve paid a couple...
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