Retail Comings and Goings in Tameside, December 2018: The Ashton Review of Shops

This month’s window on the shop windows

• Parking peeves put paid to takings and footfall in Ashton;
• Tameside’s Christmas countdown;
• Plus all the usual retail movements, with a holly leaf on top

Stamford Street’s state-of-the-art parking peeves

Dominating the local headlines over the last month is Tameside MBC’s state-of-the-art parking system in Ashton-under-Lyne. Since the start of this month, drivers wishing to park on Stamford Street Central have been compelled to pay for their parking by telephone. Drivers may pay for their parking space by SMS text message, telephone, or a smartphone app.

Shubar to Close Whilst Bargain Buys Bounces Back: Ashton Review of Shops Extra

A closer look at this month’s window on the shop windows

Just under a week ago, we hoped the next month ahead would have brought us some cheerful retail news. Sadly, not the case.

Retail Comings and Goings in Tameside, November 2018: The Ashton Review of Shops

This month’s window on the shop windows

• Crawshaw Group administration sees closure of Ashton-under-Lyne and Hyde stores;
• Magpie’s Nest scoops Tameside Retailer of the Year award;
• Ex-Mettricks employee takes over Stalybridge butcher’s shop;
• Plus all the usual retail movements, as you would expect.

Remembrance Day, Sunday 11 November 2018: in just over a week’s time, the people of Tameside will be paying their respects to the fallen. As usual, parades will take place at most parts of the borough. Image of Hurst Cemetery memorial by Ian Roberts, 2008 (Creative Commons License: Attribution-Share Alike).

Crawshaw Group enters administration

In the last week we have heard about the Crawshaw Group going into administration. The butchery chain, which has branches in Northern England and the Midlands, recently expanded by adding Gabbot’s Farm to its portfolio. This September they agreed a deal with wholesale grocers Blakemore, adding Crawshaws products to Spar shops across the UK.

Retail Comings and Goings in Tameside, October 2018: The Ashton Review of Shops

This October’s window on the shop windows

• Have your say on the future of Stalybridge town centre;
• Dukinfield’s Morrisons store refurbished and reopened;
• Poundstretcher to take on Poundworld Plus unit;
• All the usual comings and goings in the Tameside area.

Are you happy with the Sunday farmers’ market, or do you wish to have an Altrincham-style food market in the Victoria Market Hall? Find out more during Saturday’s consultation event.

Whilst Brexit and dancing Prime Ministers have dominated the news agenda, it has been all go in the Tameside retail scene.

Why Redrock Stockport Deserves Its Carbuncle Cup Award

It may look great inside but the complex gives a poor outward approach to a great Cheshire town

Before I start my architectural pontifications/criticism/rant, I shall own up to one thing: I have never been to Stockport’s Redrock complex. I have passed it on numerous occasions by train, by coach, and on the 330 bus out of Mersey Square. Each time I have passed it, I have felt deflated.

Retail Comings and Goings in Tameside, September 2018: The Ashton Review of Shops

This September’s window on the shop windows

• Sound investment for Stalybridge music school;
• End of an era for the former Roe Cross Inn;
• All the usual comings and goings in the Tameside area.

Gay Pride Weekend, Ashton Market style: photographed the same weekend as Manchester’s Mardi Gras.

August is traditionally associated with holidays and exam results. For some people a quiet time, part of a lull before the run-up to Christmas. In the sunshine, it has been anything but quiet in the Tameside area.

Farewell to Chris’s Café: The Ashton Review of Shops Extra

Chris and Costa leave Ashton-under-Lyne after nearly 40 years

After 39 years of trading, Chris’s Café closed its door on the 04 August 2018. Situated on Bow Street, Ashton-under-Lyne, the café was a popular haunt with many shoppers. Its position opposite the open market was good for passing trade.

Retail Comings and Goings in Tameside, August 2018: The Ashton Review of Shops

August’s window on the shop windows

• Bridge Beers’ Summertime Success;
• Poundworld’s demise confirmed;
• All the usual comings and goings in the Tameside area.

Changing Hands: The Commercial Hotel, Manchester Road, Mossley. Image by Mikey, 2012 (Creative Commons License: Attribution-Some Rights Reserved).

What will the previous month be remembered for in future years? England reaching the Semi Finals of the World Cup? The moorland fires which affected half of Tameside’s residents? The warm weather? The first and third points may have brought riches to our publicans but a fair number of pubs are changing hands or disappearing.

Poundworld Store Closures: The Ashton Review of Shops Extra

Details of Poundworld store closures in and around Tameside

Staying put: Rochdale’s branch of Poundworld, not one of the 25 stores which are closing on Sunday 15 July.

In our last edition of The Ashton Review of Shops there was reference to Poundworld’s troubles and as to which branches are closing.