A long established local business in Newbury has ceased trading. Travel agents Windsor & Neate closed their doors for the last time on Thursday (20th August). The business traded from 107 Bartholomew Street, and had been established in Newbury since 1886.
At the other end of Newbury, the Clock Tower pub in the Broadway closed down last Monday (17th August). The continuing roadworks in Northbrook Street and more recently the upheaval caused by the Broadway enhancement scheme are believed to be responsible for the closure.
The sewer works in Northbrook Street are expected to continue well into September and the Broadway enhancement scheme is expected to complete by November 16th, in time for the switching on of the Christmas lights.
Elsewhere in the town, the fire damaged unit belonging to Ernest Jones the jewellers has been refurbished and is expected to reopen early in September. The old Woolworths unit in Northbrook Street remains empty, but rumours still persist that Wilkinson will be the new tenants.
On the Retail Park at Pinchington Lane, the old Roseby’s unit is being refitted and will be occupied by Peacocks, opening their second outlet in the town.
Retail Chairman Brian Burgess commented that he was expecting all roadworks in and around the town to be completed in time for Christmas. Last years Christmas trade was devastated by the overrunning roadworks on the Robin Hood Roundabout. He said “There is a dogged determination on the part of the Newbury retailers to survive. Even with the imposition of major road works and road closures that overrun by months rather than weeks. A swingeing increase in parking charges by a massive 25% and a Gestapo like regime of Civil Enforcement Officers (The Green Meanies) determined to extract every penny from motorists who dare to infringe even minor parking regulations.”
I can't see the various roadworks effecting Windsor & Neate too badly - competition from the internet must be devastating for any travel agent (I can't remember when I last went into one).
Nor can the roadworks have really spelt the end for the Clockie, its been struggling for years - the Broadway revamp was probably its best hope for survival but came too late. Hopefully someone will take it on and make a go of it.
As for the 'green meanies' - its not the fact that parking laws are being enforced that is the problem, its the rapid extension of parking restrictions and charges over more and more parts of the town.
Seems a bit daft this, if what I think is happening is correct.
Administrator (i.e. Retail Chairman Brian Burgess) is reporting on what Retail Chairman Brian Burgess has said, in the third person.
One could go as far as saying it is as deliberately misleading as what is being reported.
Maybe the objective here is to just get people to comment; which he has achieved. As for truth; when has that ever got in the way of a good story. We are all free to corrective him if we like... as you have done.
Seems a bit daft this, if what I think is happening is correct.
Administrator (i.e. Retail Chairman Brian Burgess) is reporting on what Retail Chairman Brian Burgess has said, in the third person.
One could go as far as saying it is as deliberately misleading as what is being reported.
It does seem a bit strange but I don't know how else it could be reported. Should it be "I said" rather than "Brian Burgess said"? If you don't know the forum, how do you know who said it? You even had to put the description in brackets. Should Brian not be reporting anything he is involved in? In fact, does Brian even write the story or is it done elsewhere?
I don't think there is anything misleading with this story in relation to who was was reporting about who. In fact by not mentioning his name it could be construed as misleading!
I can't see the various roadworks effecting Windsor & Neate too badly - competition from the internet must be devastating for any travel agent (I can't remember when I last went into one).
I agree, although Thomas Cook seem to be doing quite well. Having said that, the report above suggests the roadworks caused the closure of the Clock Tower not Windsor & Neate. I suspect you have done what may have been intended though, think the roadworks apply to everything that closes down
.......although Thomas Cook seem to be doing quite well.
The thing about Thomas Cook is that it is an 'open' shop that the punter can just wander into and grab up the brochures without a commitment to a holiday or a booking and can come back later for that.
Windsor and Neate never really moved on from the 1950s and a visit to their shop was a little claustrophobic and was more for serious travellers who knew where they were going.
If you're talking about me, I didn't make an assumption, I made an assertion and said it might not be correct.
Why do you think that everything is about you, Jamoza used the word 'probably' as I quoted. But that said, I see no problem with Brian Burgess quoting himself as it gives a name to the person making the statement rather than just the anonymous administrator who could be anybody but may be Brian Burgess.
Why do you think that everything is about you, Jamoza used the word 'probably' as I quoted. But that said, I see no problem with Brian Burgess quoting himself as it gives a name to the person making the statement rather than just the anonymous administrator who could be anybody but may be Brian Burgess.
Must make interesting press conferences, him having to run back and forward between the press pit and the spokesperson's table. This is pretty much the definition of "conflict of interests".
Must make interesting press conferences, him having to run back and forward between the press pit and the spokesperson's table. This is pretty much the definition of "conflict of interests".
No, that isn't a conflict of interest. Running a news section personally is not that much different to local and national politicians using the media to promote their own news stories. I think it's called spin these days.
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