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Soult's Retail View

Archived blog posts (2009 to 2018) about shops on the high street and online, by North East-based retail consultant Graham Soult

Site of future Charles Clinkard store in Shrewsbury (21 Dec 2013). Photograph by Sam Stockley 4

Footwear / Independent Stores / Online / Retail History / Retailer Q&A / Specialist Retailers

February 14, 2014

 by Graham Soult · Published February 14, 2014 · Last modified June 23, 2014

Charles Clinkard Q&A: “Maintaining good relationships with suppliers is key”

Think of a great northern city, and the chances are that you’ll bring to mind one of the great northern retailers that’s based there. Bradford...

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Spring Fair website (2 Feb 2014). Photograph by Graham Soult 1

Independent Stores / Online / Personal

February 3, 2014

 by Graham Soult · Published February 3, 2014 · Last modified May 13, 2017

Tips for indie retail success at Spring Fair today

In what seems to be becoming a regular occurrence, I’m off to Spring Fair International at the NEC today (Monday 3 February) where – as...

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Former Woolworths, Newton Aycliffe, with improved public realm (5 Jan 2014). Photograph by Graham Soult 0

Property / Regeneration / Woolworths

January 6, 2014

 by Graham Soult · Published January 6, 2014 · Last modified May 1, 2015

Five years after closure, Newton Aycliffe Woolworths may soon be occupied

If you’ve managed to miss me hogging the airwaves this morning – on BBC Radio 5 Live (which you can listen to here), Wales, Scotland,...

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Screenshot of Home Decor Company website (2 Dec 2013) 0

Home and DIY / Online / Retailer Q&A

December 2, 2013

 by Graham Soult · Published December 2, 2013 · Last modified February 12, 2017

Promoting the fair trade cause: Retailer Q&A with The Home Decor Company

Though navigating the economic downturn continues to challenge many stores, one of the fascinating subtexts has been the growth of new independent retailers, sometimes borne out...

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Former Woolworths (now Boyes), Bishop Auckland (19 Nov 2013). Photograph by Graham Soult 1

Property / Variety Stores / Woolworths

November 26, 2013

 by Graham Soult · Published November 26, 2013 · Last modified November 27, 2013

Five years on from Woolies’ collapse, Boyes signs for the Coalville store

It’s hard to believe that it’s five years ago today – on 26 November 2008 – that Woolworths collapsed into administration after trading in the...

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Hoardings outside Metrocentre Lego Store site (6 Nov 2013). Photograph by Graham Soult 0

Property / Shopping Centres / Specialist Retailers

November 15, 2013

 by Graham Soult · Published November 15, 2013

Exclusive: Lego Store set for 29 November opening at Intu Metrocentre

The new Lego Store at Gateshead’s Intu Metrocentre is to open on Friday 29 November, I understand. The imminent opening of the store seems to have prompted...

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The Longest Stay listing at the Home Interiors Directory (12 Nov 2013). Photograph by Graham Soult 0

Online / Retailer Q&A

November 12, 2013

 by Graham Soult · Published November 12, 2013 · Last modified June 12, 2018

“We present a new way of shopping”: Retailer Q&A with The Longest Stay

As you’d expect, running the Home Interiors Directory (part of my CannySites.com business) means that I get to work with a lot of etailers who are...

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Reopened Game store in Grainger Street, Newcastle (24 Oct 2013). Photograph by Graham Soult 2

Campaigns / Loyalty / Marketing / Mobile Commerce / Online / Property / Social Media

October 25, 2013

 by Graham Soult · Published October 25, 2013

Resurgent Game reopens axed stores in Newcastle and Sunderland

A year and a half after 21 North East stores closed following Game’s collapse into administration, two of those shops – in Grainger Street, Newcastle and...

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Fenwick Christmas window in preparation last year (30 Oct 2012). Photograph by Graham Soult 1

Campaigns / Department Stores / Marketing / Merchandising / Social Media

October 24, 2013

 by Graham Soult · Published October 24, 2013

Fenwick Newcastle’s autumn window impresses – but WHSmith opposite falls short

Newcastle’s iconic Fenwick department store is rightly known for its annual Christmas window – which can’t, scarily, be very far off making its appearance for 2013....

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Adidas announcing its presence at Eldon Square (14 Oct 2013). Photograph by Graham Soult 0

Campaigns / Marketing / Property / Shopping Centres

October 21, 2013

 by Graham Soult · Published October 21, 2013

Adidas and Toys R Us move quickly to fill Intu Eldon Square voids

In recent months, the St Andrew’s Way section of Newcastle’s Eldon Square has seen its first tenant departures since opening in February 2010, with the...

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B&M jobs site (18 Oct 2013) 5

Property / Retail Parks / Variety Stores

October 18, 2013

 by Graham Soult · Published October 18, 2013 · Last modified November 10, 2016

B&M recruits for Gateshead Team Valley store ahead of 16 November opening

The thriving discount retailer B&M is recruiting staff for its new Gateshead store, which is scheduled to open at Team Valley Retail World on Saturday...

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Utopia (ex-Peacocks), Sunderland (18 Oct 2013). Photograph by Graham Soult 1

Department Stores / Property / Regeneration / Shopping Centres

October 18, 2013

 by Graham Soult · Published October 18, 2013 · Last modified October 19, 2013

Good news for Sunderland as fashion store Utopia takes over ex-Peacocks

Sunderland’s ex-Peacocks unit in The Bridges is finally to be reoccupied, after more than 18 months of vacancy. The prominent Market Square store was one of...

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Original Woolworths (now A&S Discount Store), Byker (28 Aug 2013). Photograph by Graham Soult 2

Property / Regeneration / Retail History / Woolworths

September 30, 2013

 by Graham Soult · Published September 30, 2013 · Last modified June 11, 2017

Old Woolies fascia exposed as Byker Wetherspoon’s readies for October opening

The Newcastle suburb of Byker will gain a welcome addition when its new Wetherspoon pub – The High Main – opens at 63 Shields Road on 22...

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Vacant section of Darlington's ex-Woolworths at 18 Northgate (3 May 2012). Photograph by Graham Soult 10

Retail History / Woolworths

September 20, 2013

 by Graham Soult · Published September 20, 2013 · Last modified January 16, 2017

Tracking down Darlington’s original Woolworths – 73 years after it relocated

Never one to let a good Woolworths anniversary pass me by, today – 20 September 2013 – represents 73 years since Darlington’s Woolworths store relocated...

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Pure Essence Greetings website (31 Aug 2013) 0

Independent Stores / Online / Personal

August 31, 2013

 by Graham Soult · Published August 31, 2013 · Last modified March 25, 2017

Celebrating Britain’s new indie retailers at Autumn Fair

Regular readers will know that one of my favourite things about working in retail is discovering really interesting and successful independent shops – whether that’s...

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Me (left) and local retail expert Sam Stockley in The Square, Shrewsbury (10 Jun 2013). Photograph by Graham Soult 4

Independent Stores / Interiors / Market Towns / Merchandising / Property / Shopping Centres / Social Media

July 19, 2013

 by Graham Soult · Published July 19, 2013 · Last modified November 20, 2016

Shrewsbury: the town where independents are keeping the high street buzzing

Regular readers will know that I visit a lot of British high streets – including more than 400 different ones in the last four years...

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Sage Blog (17 Jul 2013). Photograph by Graham Soult

Personal

July 17, 2013

 by Graham Soult · Published July 17, 2013 · Last modified February 12, 2017

Got a question about starting a retail business? Ask a Sage Business Expert

As you may recall, one of the many hats that I wear is as a Sage Business Expert. Set up by the Newcastle-based software company nearly...

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Metrocentre Red Mall entrance - pre-Intu (11 Jul 2013). Photograph by Graham Soult 1

Brands / Marketing / Online / Shopping Centres

July 11, 2013

 by Graham Soult · Published July 11, 2013

Gateshead’s Metrocentre prepares for overnight Intu-fication

I understand that Gateshead’s Metrocentre is to gain its first Intu-branded external signage overnight tonight (11 July), ahead of a weekend of celebrations to mark...

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Barker and Stonehouse store in Newcastle (18 Jun 2012). Photograph by Graham Soult 1

Department Stores / Property / Retail History

July 11, 2013

 by Graham Soult · Published July 11, 2013 · Last modified May 7, 2018

North East stores invade London as Metro Outlet heads to Croydon’s ex-Allders

In the same month that Middlesbrough-based furniture institution Barker and Stonehouse has opened its first London store, in Battersea, it’s been revealed that another firm with...

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Former Woolworths, Morden, London (1 March 2013). Photograph by Graham Soult 4

Independent Stores / Online / Property / Woolworths

July 8, 2013

 by Graham Soult · Published July 8, 2013 · Last modified January 17, 2017

Opened on 8 July 1933, what’s become of the ex-Woolworths in Morden?

Regular readers will know that I always enjoy an obscure Woolworths anniversary, and today represents the 80th anniversary of the now-defunct chain opening its 498th store,...

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@soult

Woolworths… from the archives

  • Uniqlo signage, Coventry (7 Feb 2012). Photograph by Graham Soult

    The fragment of Uniqlo that lives on in Coventry

    March 2, 2012

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It was a privilege to be a High Streets Task Force It was a privilege to be a High Streets Task Force Expert during its five-year existence - and its findings have now been published....

https://www.cannyinsights.com/2025/05/23/high-streets-task-force-findings-provide-blueprint-for-successful-high-street-regeneration/
Last week it was a real pleasure to attend the off Last week it was a real pleasure to attend the official launch event of Two Tales, Seven Stories' new Durham pop-up at Prince Bishops Place....

https://www.cannyinsights.com/2025/05/23/seven-stories-pop-up-makes-the-high-street-a-place-of-joy-and-opportunity-for-durham-children/
As a presumably well-intentioned but unhelpful new As a presumably well-intentioned but unhelpful new report on "Ghost Towns" is published today, it's time to stop feeding this narrative....

https://www.cannyinsights.com/2025/05/23/you-want-healthier-high-streets-then-maybe-think-twice-before-publishing-a-report-about-ghost-towns/
Gateshead Railway Quarter isn't a new thing, but p Gateshead Railway Quarter isn't a new thing, but putting the name up there undoubtedly makes it more real....

https://www.cannyinsights.com/2025/04/29/gateshead-railway-quarter-how-to-improve-your-town-by-starting-with-what-is-already-good/
An initial action shot of me yesterday evening! Th An initial action shot of me yesterday evening! Thank you to Spalding & District Civic Society for the kind invitation to speak, and to the large and engaged audience for a great many pertinent questions during the Q&A afterwards 💬

Their obvious passion for the town demonstrated the power of what can be achieved by harnessing that enthusiasm and working together to make a difference. 

One woman told me afterwards "You expressed everything that I feel about #Spalding", which is always one of the best compliments I can hope for 💪☺️

#highstreet #highstreets #evolvingnotdying #lincolnshire
Specialist Speakers is a speaker bureau for keynot Specialist Speakers is a speaker bureau for keynote and motivational speakers in business, politics, economy and management....

https://www.cannyinsights.com/2025/03/26/graham-soult-now-featured-alongside-famous-names-at-at-specialist-speakers-speaker-bureau/
This page details retail units currently available This page details retail units currently available to let in Durham city centre. As Retail Cupid, we help match empty shops with new tenants....

https://www.cannyinsights.com/2025/03/13/march-2025-retail-cupid-update-current-retail-property-to-let-in-durham-city-centre/
Occupying the building where Wallsend Woolworths t Occupying the building where Wallsend Woolworths traded from 1929 to 1959, Tyneside Community Store offers essential items for those in need....

https://www.cannyinsights.com/2025/03/12/the-building-that-housed-wallsends-original-woolworths-and-that-continues-to-serve-the-community/

About this blog

Soult's Retail View is a blog by me, Graham Soult, taking a wide-ranging look at the UK retail industry. I'm a retail consultant based in Gateshead - and the person behind CannyInsights.com and CannySites.com - so my posts often (but not always) have a North East flavour. [read more]

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Retail property… from the archives

  • Wellington Square ‘win a shop’ competition looks to nurture new retail talent

    August 13, 2009

  • John Lewis Bristol and the city’s changing retail landscape

    July 24, 2009

  • Walmsley's, Newcastle (3 Dec 2012). Photograph by Graham Soult

    North East stores at risk as high street furnisher Walmsley’s collapses again

    December 5, 2012

In the News

In December 2009, global media intelligence company Cision ranked Soult’s Retail View at #2 in its list of the UK’s top ten retail blogs.

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