Demise of the city centre

[ThelmatheBelmer]

Can't remember whether they're set locally or centrally. Been a long time since I worked in local government, and it was a different department.

 

[Cold_Collation]

From the interweb:

"Business rates are set by central government, which sets the multiplier, a pence in the pound value which is then applied to the rateable value, an estimate of the open market rental value a property could achieve on a specified date. Properties with a rateable value of £12,000 or less are exempt from business rates and those up to £15,000 are eligible for small business rates relief. There are other reliefs and exemptions, including an 80 per cent discount for properties used by charities.

Currently local government, collectively retains half of the income from business rates, the other half is paid by councils to central government, which uses the income to fund grants to local authorities. The previous Government announced plans for the local government sector to retain all business rates by 2020."

In other words, it's not really in local government's interest to reduce rates...

 

[Mölders 1]

There's bugger all shops in (un)Happy Valley

I know that Mate.
It seems to me though as more and more Houses are built in this area, there are fewer and fewer shops staying open......

 

[Ecosse]

Well today marks the demise of the last remaining mainstream Falkirk High Street outlet.
Bonmarche gone.
There are a couple of high-end small (very expensive) bespoke outfitters up side streets...but they are a different genre after all. Seem to do OK-ish. Harris tweed specialists etc.
It's all going swimmingly.....

 

[Listy]

I was working in the city centre today. I actually expected it to be heaving due to it being the first lockdown free day.
It was like a quieter weekday before the Dreaded Chinese Lung Lurgy showed up.

I suppose the big test will be Saturday (Which I'm also working, so we'll see what happens)

 

[ancienturion]

I can only speak about Italy, and only on a few occasions. I only saw one recognisable supermarket and that was a Spar. Do the Tallies keep the big boys out, limit where they go, or do they have others using local names? Mind you, most of our time was in rural areas, perhaps it's different in the big cities.

France seems to have the big out-of-town supermarket type places but I have never seen any in Italy, even on the edges of the larger cities. Certainly in towns/cities there were lots of small shops labelling themselves as "mini markets" as well as what we might term independents.
Perhaps we rely too much on what is thrust upon us in UK from the USA as being "what the public wants".

 

[Sana]

People always suggest to me that I should go to Tesco/ASDA (etc.) as it is "cheaper". But do we all want robotic, incompetent customer service? So many managers are absolutely terrible.

I never buy newspapers or magazines. Sometimes books, because I can't read from my Kindle all the time, sometimes it's nice to open up a fresh book and read.

 

[bobthebuilder]

France seems to have the big out-of-town supermarket type places but I have never seen any in Italy, even on the edges of the larger cities. Certainly in towns/cities there were lots of small shops labelling themselves as "mini markets" as well as what we might term independents.
Perhaps we rely too much on what is thrust upon us in UK from the USA as being "what the public wants".

Perhaps there’s a cultural issue here too; the French and the Italian (and most of Europe) cook fresh meals every day and seek quality fresh produce. Family meals are still the norm.

In a country where it takes two full time jobs to afford housing, there’s not so much disposable income to spend on food. Not much time to prepare either and lots of families not eating together.

As a result, the demand is for cheap convenience food. Small independents cannot compete with supermarket supply chains to deliver the range of choice, price and quality in ready meals.

A vicious circle.

 

[loofkar]

People always suggest to me that I should go to Tesco/ASDA (etc.) as it is "cheaper". But do we all want robotic, incompetent customer service? So many managers are absolutely terrible.

I never buy newspapers or magazines. Sometimes books, because I can't read from my Kindle all the time, sometimes it's nice to open up a fresh book and read.

"Cheaper" may be of more significance if you're buying to feed a family, as is being able to drive there, park there and use the same trolley to fill the car with one's purchases.

 

[mcreature]

People always suggest to me that I should go to Tesco/ASDA (etc.) as it is "cheaper". But do we all want robotic, incompetent customer service? So many managers are absolutely terrible.

I never buy newspapers or magazines. Sometimes books, because I can't read from my Kindle all the time, sometimes it's nice to open up a fresh book and read.

Must say, Asda (especially) and Sainsbury checkout staff are in general, excellent--- both in Londonistan and Jockland.

 

[Ecosse]

Must say, Asda (especially) and Sainsbury checkout staff are in general, excellent--- both in Londonistan and Jockland.

Have to say our local Tesco staff are a real cut above as well. Always smile, always ask after SWMBO if she is not there and the other way around. Always up for a giggle. Mind you, we've known them all for 9 years since opening.
All in the face of some members of Joe Public who often times treat them like utter shit...somehow they keep smiling.

 

[loofkar]

Have to say our local Tesco staff are a real cut above as well. Always smile, always ask after SWMBO if she is not there and the other way around. Always up for a giggle. Mind you, we've known them all for 9 years since opening.
All in the face of some members of Joe Public who often times treat them like utter shit...somehow they keep smiling.

I may be wrong but I seem to recall, as a kid in the sixties, checkout staff were/seemed pretty diffident and disinterested.
That certainly isn't the case nowadays - I think perhaps culture has changed and people in England (i.e. London, for me) are more friendly communicative wth strangers than just uttering polite niceties.
Due to the Corona precautions, I have had more time to observe the checkout staff in the local Tesco Express in recent days - one a middle aged Asian lady and one a young guy with an Eastern European accent. Both friendly, efficient, patient and ready to get up and help customers.
The overall shopping experience was pleasant, except for seeing some bast*rd customers in the aisles without masks - is that even legal?

 

[MoleBath]

A real boost to city centres would be to ease back on parking charges and allow motorists to use more bus lanes in non rush hour.

 

[lastwalt]

A real boost to city centres would be to ease back on parking charges and allow motorists to use more bus lanes in non rush hour.

Not sure. A lot of the bus lanes in Edinburgh are open to cars outside of the morning and evening rush hours, but cars don't use them anyway. Apparently Edinburgh motorists can't read signs.

 

[Ecosse]

The overall shopping experience was pleasant, except for seeing some bast*rd customers in the aisles without masks - is that even legal?

Prepared to be proved wrong, but my understanding from Tesco is it's not legally binding however, they reserve the right (and SWMBO & I have seen it done earlier this year) to "escort" troublesome non-compliants to the door unserved....unless they can prove Speshul Status eg bronchy-asthma etc.
We saw one guy, a massive fat gopper without a mask arrested by Police after ramming a Tesco girl with a trolley full of heavy 2 ltre water bottles..but that was pure assault. She took some hit.
Of late, I'd say Joe Public is a bit more compliant after months of "training" but I still see w*nkstains not giving a toss...but the staff are under instructions not to challenge, and so these wasters usually get away with it.
I can see post Yultide Level 4 lockdown in mid January/February in the FK post codes....just an instinct.

 

[Teeblerone]

...........
All in the face of some members of Joe Public who often times treat them like utter shit...somehow they keep smiling.

Mccreature & Ecosse, interesting: 'my mileage has varied', with the three (big) Asdas having awful stores & staff, big & small Tesco, stores OK, staff poor.. I think it's as you say, because of the area & people they have to deal with.. It costs nothing to say hello & be polite to staff. I got to like Morrisons, but by god there were some thicko's there.
In contrast, medium/large Sainsbury's have had good staff and can't remember any Co-Op (even in Croydon) being anything less than great.
Hence I'm lucky enough to walk to a local Co-op and pay a bit more, rather than get a bus/car to large Asda or Tesco.
What is it about Asda stores that seems so oppressive?

 

[lastwalt]

Prepared to be proved wrong, but my understanding from Tesco is it's not legally binding however, they reserve the right (and SWMBO & I have seen it done earlier this year) to "escort" troublesome non-compliants to the door unserved....unless they can prove Speshul Status eg bronchy-asthma etc.
We saw one guy, a massive fat gopper without a mask arrested by Police after ramming a Tesco girl with a trolley full of heavy 2 ltre water bottles..but that was pure assault. She took some hit.
Of late, I'd say Joe Public is a bit more compliant after months of "training" but I still see w*nkstains not giving a toss...but the staff are under instructions not to challenge, and so these wasters usually get away with it.
I can see post Yultide Level 4 lockdown in mid January/February in the FK post codes....just an instinct.

It is legally binding in Scotland, even Fa'kirk, to wear face coverings in shops. As you say, there is a list of exemptions.

Coronavirus (COVID-19): public use of face coverings - gov.scot

Explains where you need to wear a face covering and exemptions from wearing one.

www.gov.scot

Mandatory face coverings​

You must by law wear a face covering in certain indoor places:

• any premises which open to members of the public and are used for the retail sale or hire of goods or services, such as shops, takeaway restaurants, pharmacies, estate agents, beauty parlours and shopping malls.

 

[re-stilly]

Not sure. A lot of the bus lanes in Edinburgh are open to cars outside of the morning and evening rush hours, but cars don't use them anyway. Apparently Edinburgh motorists can't read signs.

Or think it is a trap to ticket them.

 

[Ecosse]

What is it about Asda stores that seems so oppressive?

Can't exactly put a finger on it, but I don't use a local ( huge) Asda.
No easy or polite way to put it, but it always seemed full of underclass smelly fat mongs and their squint eyed fruits-of-loins..and I think a lot of staff simply match their demographic customer base with a certain attitude.
The amount of security staff at the doors provides part of an answer....

 

[Provost]

Inspectors here trying sneaky tricks to close pubs down. Lets hope when this is over, the snitches receive a lifetime ban from all licensed premises UK-wide. For their own good, as nobody will want to socialize with such back-stabbing rats, anyway. For any social interaction, their best bet is to join a strict religious order, where alcohol is taboo.

There is a glaring hole in this 'investigation'. We get to hear the story entirely from one side. Even the BBC shows more balance.

Nigel, little tip. Get all the facts then do the demolition job.