The 'how are they still in business' thread.

[Mad Cyril]

Africa crafts shop - Queens Road - I have never seen anyone enter or leave this place in over 30 years. Maybe they cashed in on leather Africa pendants in the late 80s/early 90s?

The recruiters near HSBC at the top of the high street - no matter what time of day I pass the staff are outside smoking.

 

[Userorange]

All the Turkish Barbers in Hadleigh. They get the odd customer here and there but so often they are empty.

I think I know what’s going on, but I wouldn’t want to end my days with a slip of a cutthroat razor so best to leave it there.

 

[Mad Cyril]

All the Turkish Barbers in Hadleigh. They get the odd customer here and there but so often they are empty.

I think I know what’s going on, but I wouldn’t want to end my days with a slip of a cutthroat razor so best to leave it there.

There are a lot of cash businesses about...

Not sure how many barbers Southend High Street needs...or how many mobile phone accessory shops either.

 

[Napster]

Africa crafts shop - Queens Road - I have never seen anyone enter or leave this place in over 30 years. Maybe they cashed in on leather Africa pendants in the late 80s/early 90s?

The recruiters near HSBC at the top of the high street - no matter what time of day I pass the staff are outside smoking.

My missus loved Africa back in the day and now I have two daughters I can see the appeal. Maybe you’ve not been at the right time?

 

[Mad Cyril]

My missus loved Africa back in the day and now I have two daughters I can see the appeal. Maybe you’ve not been at the right time?

The right time being Soul II Souls brief period of popularity?

 

[Supernaut]

The taxidermy shop opposite The Elms in Leigh. WTF??

 

[Supernaut]

I also find the enduring popularity of sex shops more than a little puzzling, and it's downright bizarre how so many have taken up residence in disused Little Chef restaurants on busy A roads.

 

[Cricko]

I also find the enduring popularity of sex shops more than a little puzzling, and it's downright bizarre how so many have taken up residence in disused Little Chef restaurants on busy A roads.

Any particular Little chef? Asking for a friend.

 

[Mr. Benedict]

I also find the enduring popularity of sex shops more than a little puzzling, and it's downright bizarre how so many have taken up residence in disused Little Chef restaurants on busy A roads.

I'm baffled by these as well. The chain of them on the A1 are called "Pulse and Cocktails", I struggle to see the business case for a shop offering cocktails and a w*nk on a busy A road.

 

[Cricko]

I'm baffled by these as well. The chain of them on the A1 are called "Pulse and Cocktails", I struggle to see the business case for a shop offering cocktails and a w*nk on a busy A road.

Don't knock until you're tried it John.

 

[southendkid]

I also find the enduring popularity of sex shops more than a little puzzling, and it's downright bizarre how so many have taken up residence in disused Little Chef restaurants on busy A roads.

I thought their location was odd too but the logic does make sense. It's because (unless you're Ann Summers) a lot of people that would buy from sex shops would rather not have an awkward situation where they walk out of one just as their neighbour is walking past. By having them in the middle of nowhere that can't happen unless their neighbour also uses sex shops.

 

[Mad Cyril]

My neighbours caught me walking out of a Little Chef and I told them that I thought it was a sex shop.

 

[Kenny]

I’m surprised HMV is still chugging along given how the market for DVD/Blu-ray and CDs has tanked.

 

[Mad Cyril]

I’m surprised HMV is still chugging along given how the market for DVD/Blu-ray and CDs has tanked.

Have you been into an HMV recently - they sell all sorts of stuff.

 

[GrumpyBlue]

Have you been into an HMV recently - they sell all sorts of stuff.

My local one seems to major in vinyl albums

 

[RHB]

There are a lot of cash businesses about...

Not sure how many barbers Southend High Street needs...or how many mobile phone accessory shops either.

Or Vaping shops

 

[Floval Flyer]

The taxidermy shop opposite The Elms in Leigh. WTF??

About 4 or 5 years ago I was walking past that shop with my son and it was surprising to see it was open. Curiosity got the better of us and we had a look inside. Very odd shop and the owner asked if we wanted to take a look at some of his rarer stuff, which was behind a curtained door (this is 100% true!).

Some quite rare and questionable animals in his collection, which didn’t feel right, and at which point I nudged my son as time to leave… quickly! LOL!

 

[Floval Flyer]

WH Smith is another shop I can’t see surviving long.

 

[RHB]

WH Smith is another shop I can’t see surviving long.

Maybe, maybe not. They have survived just about everything thrown at them over the decades and now they have a partnership with Post Office Counters which will always bring customers in. That doesn't make them an attractive chain in my view, but someone must like them.

 

[rigsby]

I'm baffled by these as well. The chain of them on the A1 are called "Pulse and Cocktails", I struggle to see the business case for a shop offering cocktails and a w*nk on a busy A road.

When your on the way home from winning 3-0 at Wrexham you will be preordering Pina Coladas at several places down the A1