Strange Business Start-ups
#1
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Joined: Aug 2006
Location: Velez-Malaga
Posts: 4,873
Strange Business Start-ups
Whilst out shopping this morning we spotted a new bar had opened on the main street of our town - called the Piccadilly British Bar, apparently specialising in gin and tonics with 60 varieties of gin on offer (whether they sell anything else I have no idea). Signage (in Spanish and English) referred to an "after work scene" - won't be much of one of those in this town, I wouldn't have thought, with current levels of unemployment.
What on earth makes people think that opening niche businesses is a good idea in the present climate? Last year we had a shop open selling expensive coffees and chocolates, it lasted about 6 months and has now re-opened selling expensive childrenswear, but with the same people running it. Obviously some people never learn.
What on earth makes people think that opening niche businesses is a good idea in the present climate? Last year we had a shop open selling expensive coffees and chocolates, it lasted about 6 months and has now re-opened selling expensive childrenswear, but with the same people running it. Obviously some people never learn.
#2
Banned
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 5,008
Re: Strange Business Start-ups
Whilst out shopping this morning we spotted a new bar had opened on the main street of our town - called the Piccadilly British Bar, apparently specialising in gin and tonics with 60 varieties of gin on offer (whether they sell anything else I have no idea). Signage (in Spanish and English) referred to an "after work scene" - won't be much of one of those in this town, I wouldn't have thought, with current levels of unemployment.
What on earth makes people think that opening niche businesses is a good idea in the present climate? Last year we had a shop open selling expensive coffees and chocolates, it lasted about 6 months and has now re-opened selling expensive childrenswear, but with the same people running it. Obviously some people never learn.
What on earth makes people think that opening niche businesses is a good idea in the present climate? Last year we had a shop open selling expensive coffees and chocolates, it lasted about 6 months and has now re-opened selling expensive childrenswear, but with the same people running it. Obviously some people never learn.
#3
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Joined: Aug 2006
Location: Velez-Malaga
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Re: Strange Business Start-ups
The idea of a bar selling nothing but gin and tonic struck me as rather Pythonesque, to say the least!
They won't be getting any custom from me at any rate, I can't stand the stuff.
They won't be getting any custom from me at any rate, I can't stand the stuff.
#4
Forum Regular
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 80
Re: Strange Business Start-ups
Think people scoffed when Marks & Spencer opened the first
penny bizarre.
penny bizarre.
#5
Re: Strange Business Start-ups
A restaurant nearby which opened about 4 years ago and closed about 2.5 years ago with no activity in the intervening period has now got signs up that it's about to re-open. Same format, simply different management. I wish them well but I don't know what they'll have to do differently. I liked their steaks before so we'll probably give it a try but .. well fingers crossed for them.
I won't be going to the G & T joint either, Lynn. Don't mention gin...bleurgh
I won't be going to the G & T joint either, Lynn. Don't mention gin...bleurgh
#6
Re: Strange Business Start-ups
A restaurant nearby which opened about 4 years ago and closed about 2.5 years ago with no activity in the intervening period has now got signs up that it's about to re-open. Same format, simply different management. I wish them well but I don't know what they'll have to do differently. I liked their steaks before so we'll probably give it a try but .. well fingers crossed for them.
I won't be going to the G & T joint either, Lynn. Don't mention gin...bleurgh
I won't be going to the G & T joint either, Lynn. Don't mention gin...bleurgh
we had a 'traditional english' sweetshop here a couple of years ago - never saw anyone in there - my kids did buy sweets there once - stupid prices!! It didn't last long
we have a 'cupcake' shop recently opened - the cupcakes really are amazing, but again expensive (& no better than dd1's homemade ones either), I've never seen people in there - in fact it often seems to be shut when I go past at normal shopping times
I hope they make a go of it - but right now, a niche business selling expensive little cakes?
#7
Banned
Joined: Feb 2011
Location: Mallorca
Posts: 19,367
Re: Strange Business Start-ups
Probably hoping for tourist trade this summer.
Good luck to them. They'll need it.
I often wonder what people are thinking... Several little shops of various varieties of oddness opened around here in the past year. Virtually all are gone now.
One thing I have difficulty understanding is that many of these shops or restaurants seem to dismiss the need for a welcoming environment.
Many have blazing cold flourescent lighting and hard, uncomfortable seats, no heating or cooling, and offer only a limited selection of un-unique stuff I certainly wouldn't have much interest in, ...or only occasionally at best.
Worst of all, many of them choose to price their wares as though they are a five-star establishment, in a location so far off the beaten path, that nobody can find them. And then they wonder why the place is eternally empty.
Then there are those shops which sell essentially the same thing as the shop next door, but at wildly different prices - some things much cheaper, some much more expensive. It just doesn't make sense.
Seems to me that if you're going to invest in a shop, you'd better sell something unique that people are going to want, at prices they can afford, in a location they can find.
...or am I simply not "integrated" enough to understand?
Good luck to them. They'll need it.
I often wonder what people are thinking... Several little shops of various varieties of oddness opened around here in the past year. Virtually all are gone now.
One thing I have difficulty understanding is that many of these shops or restaurants seem to dismiss the need for a welcoming environment.
Many have blazing cold flourescent lighting and hard, uncomfortable seats, no heating or cooling, and offer only a limited selection of un-unique stuff I certainly wouldn't have much interest in, ...or only occasionally at best.
Worst of all, many of them choose to price their wares as though they are a five-star establishment, in a location so far off the beaten path, that nobody can find them. And then they wonder why the place is eternally empty.
Then there are those shops which sell essentially the same thing as the shop next door, but at wildly different prices - some things much cheaper, some much more expensive. It just doesn't make sense.
Seems to me that if you're going to invest in a shop, you'd better sell something unique that people are going to want, at prices they can afford, in a location they can find.
...or am I simply not "integrated" enough to understand?
#8
Re: Strange Business Start-ups
Cupcakes schmupcakes. They're Fairy Cakes!!!!!!!!
*ahem*
Rant over.
*ahem*
Rant over.
#10
Re: Strange Business Start-ups
Yes but that was when Fairy's lived at the bottom of the garden and behaved themselves.
#12
Joined: Jun 2011
Location: In the middle of 10million Olive Trees
Posts: 12,053
Re: Strange Business Start-ups
this isnt the Plaza del Toros
why should people change the name they have for a CAKE for god's sake because of politically biased claptrap
back in 2008 it was announced that Brainstorming was "not acceptable" and people should be using "thought showers" instead.
just who pays these people to come up with such momentous pronouncements!!
why should people change the name they have for a CAKE for god's sake because of politically biased claptrap
back in 2008 it was announced that Brainstorming was "not acceptable" and people should be using "thought showers" instead.
just who pays these people to come up with such momentous pronouncements!!