Tagged: Reading

Inside former Woolworths (now Wetherspoon's), Prestwick (21 Nov 2012). Photograph by Graham Soult

March 16, 2013

Pick ‘n’ mixed grill: the ex-Woolworths that are now Wetherspoons

There are 870 Wetherspoon pubs, including a few in former Woolworths premises. Here are the ex-Woolies Wetherspoons I’ve come across on my travels to date.

Sainsbury's, The Brunel, Swindon (19 Aug 2012). Photograph by Graham Soult

Brands / Humour / Retail History / Supermarkets

August 24, 2012

Photo blog: ten shop fascias that time – and the retailers – forgot

From forgotten remnants of defunct retailers, or ’80s fascias that chains have failed to update, here are ten of my favourite shop fascias that time forgot.

New Clintons signage at Stowmarket (2 Aug 2012). Photograph by Graham Soult

Brands / Online / Specialist Retailers

August 9, 2012

Can Clintons’ new look help restore the chain’s fortunes?

Just two months after rescuing nearly 400 Clintons stores, the chain’s new owners have started rolling out a new look – inside and out –...

Ethel Austin, Blaydon (12 Apr 2010). Photograph by Graham Soult

Brands / Fashion Stores / Property

August 7, 2012

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...

Clas Ohlson, Reading (19 Aug 2011). Photograph by Graham Soult

Economy / Financial / Marketing / Online / Overseas / Social Media

February 15, 2012

Clas Ohlson pushes social media and confirms UK transactional website launch

Clas Ohlson, the Swedish hardware retailer, has revealed that it is pushing on with plans for a UK transactional website, with an expected launch in the spring....

New BHS, Swindon (11 Sep 2011). Photograph by Graham Soult

Brands / Fashion Stores / Property

September 15, 2011

Swindon’s BHS provides a taster of what Newcastle and Hartlepool can expect

While visiting Swindon’s out-of-town John Lewis at Home, I also managed to spent some time exploring the town centre. The open-air Parade shopping centre has the distinction...

Sheffield's existing John Lewis in Barker's Pool (18 Aug 2011). Photograph by Graham Soult

Department Stores / Property / Shopping Centres

September 13, 2011

As Stratford City opens, I check out John Lewis’s answers to the lack of other new schemes

As the vast Westfield Stratford City opens its doors today, it’s little wonder that most of Twitter’s retail commentators seem to have decamped to east London. With...