Eyres to close?

[Pete]

I keep seeing rumours about this - anyone know anything?

[Scimitar]

I keep seeing rumours about former CMC site opposite Somerset house pub being a Tesco.
Eyres seem to keep plodding along. Certainly (as a bus driver) there is always a delivery van close too or blocking the "39" bus stop to Grangewood. So they must be doing some business....

[Pete]

I hope so, wouldn't want to see another big shop go...

I've seen talk about the old motor bike building, but not heard anything conclusive.

Talk about the world being turned upside down... 

[Scimitar]

CMC Bikes have been long gone from their site. If Tesco were interested they would have had it done by now. There were also rumours about the pub over the road,but that has opened up again.

It beats me how Eyres keeps going - somebody must be shopping there - it's not me thats for sure!

[Old Cruser]

I haven't heard anything but am going into town later so may well be cheeky and go in and ask!
I think there may well be a lot of rumours about different places closing probably due to what has happened with the Co-Op and others.
My daughter was asked if she had heard the Super drug was closing a couple of days ago - I Googled it and couldn't find anything so decided best not not post it on here as we still have no idea if the 'Law Centre' closure is right.
No doubt the truth will out eventually.

[Scimitar]

Another story I've heard today concerns Debenhams. Apparently, since they have been at Ravenside Retail Park, they have concerns about flooding (I think they have already moved stock upstairs on one occasion just in case), together with a rat problem - again being so close to the river.
This story/ rumour not come from a cast iron reputable source, so it could be utter bull$hit, however, it kind of makes sense. Debenhams have either bought, or are considering buying the Co-op building on Elder way because a) It is larger than their current premises, b) it will be next door to the proposed donut development, c) If Debenhams buy it, it stops the competition from buying it, e.g. House of Frazer for example.
Has anyone else heard anything similar I wonder?

[Fly]

I've heard the Coop building needs major internal redevelopment.
Sounds like they've owned it so long and not spent much on internal requirements.

[Scimitar]

Definitely, and both sides of the road - the Food Hall has offices upstairs unused for many years all patched/ bodged up apparently. And the basement on the other side of the road (old toy dept) flooded, so they just vacated it and didn't bother repairing it. Seems like they have spent the bare minimum to keep the place open, and thats about it.

[therealjr]

I would have thought it was impossible that a company could build on the Ravenside and not do sufficient homework to know about flooding.

[Old Cruser]

@ JR my thoughts exactly - I am sure they would have done their homework on that!
Interesting though that they 'may' be a contender for the co-op? I suppose it's about the size one would maybe expect from Debenhams

[Scimitar]

I would have thought it was impossible that a company could build on the Ravenside and not do sufficient homework to know about flooding.

I agree completely - as I said its only an unsubstantiated rumour, but, nevertheless it could be a good business move for Debenhams, and solve the dreadful problem of what to do with the Co-op building - I'd hate to see it unoccupied and falling into disrepair - specially with the pending development of the donut/ Northern Gateway project. Whats the point in spending millions on that, to have to walk by a former Co-op thats unoccupied/boarded up etc.
Something needs to be done with it, and it needs to be a big player with the clout to develop it thats for sure.

[Old Cruser]

Daughter has been cheeky and asked eyres if they are closing - the reply was no!

[Pete]

That's good news!

[Fly]

Good news, agreed. For the employees 
I've a cousin that works there.

If the clientèle that shop there can afford to pay those prices,
it just makes me wonder what the mark up on those prices Eyres add.

eg. Eyres buy at £50, flog for £250.

[Pete]

Not neccessarily - how does anyone except management know how much Eyres pay? They might be buying at £150 and selling at £250. Plus, how much of Eyres money is tied up in stock. We need to careful with remarks like that, with Chesterfield's "chinese whispers" they could get the shop a bad name.

We need to support local businesses - not start rumours. IMHO