Companies That You Expect to Disappear Soon

[Ashley Hill]

I think Atlantic is one of their beers an IPA IIRC, and was palatable. Not seen it for a bit.

My local has it, but only "craft" beer types seem to drink it. Cant think why.

 

[Trackman]

My local has it, but only "craft" beer types seem to drink it. Cant think why.

I think they do (or did) a keg and cask version. Only had the cask.
Dont start me off on 'craft beers'!!!
'Half of bubblegum, sweet and sour zany strawberry beer please' - 'Certainly sir, that'll be £7.90'

 

[sprinterguy]

i used to like Sharps ales and visited the brewery back in the 90. I used to like Cornish Coaster but it was dropped from the portfolio many years ago. Looking at their website Doom Bar is unsuprisingly mentioned more than any other beer!

Ah yes, I remember the Cornish Coaster now you mention it. I quite liked that one as well, hadn't realised it had been discontinued as it just sort of slipped off my radar.

I think Atlantic is one of their beers an IPA IIRC, and was palatable. Not seen it for a bit.

Yeah I referenced the Atlantic, I don't consider it as highly hopped as a lot of modern IPAs so I find it quite serviceable. It still gets around, I probably encounter it on keg at least as much as cask, as has been noted.

 

[Mag_seven]

Just a gentle reminder that this thread is for the discussion of "Companies that you expect to disappear soon".

If anyone wants to discuss anything else then they are welcome to start a new thread elsewhere.

The story about Sharps brewery closing is on topic but a general discussion about what real ale you like isn't.

 

[Steddenm]

It seems Brewdog has finally hit the buffers with all owned bars closing with immediate effect and their German bar and brewery closing too.

BBC News - Bars close and hundreds lose jobs as US firm buys Brewdog in £33m deal

Brewdog: Bars close and hundreds lose jobs as beer firm sold in £33m deal

Beverage and cannabis company Tilray acquires the brewery, the brand and 11 bars after Brewdog went into administration.

www.bbc.co.uk

Administrators said the sale had preserved 733 jobs - but that 484 jobs had been lost and 38 bars had closed after they were not included in the rescue deal.

And they said no equity holders - including those who invested in the brewer's Equity for Punks scheme - would get any return from the deal.

 

[johntea]

Sad for the staff, but I never really understood why they opened the bars in the first place...give their target market a choice between cheap drinks in Wetherspoons and very expensive drinks in their bars and no surprise which won!

I do enjoy some of their beers but the aisles are full to bursting with craft beer these days and the bubble seems to have burst slightly anyway

 

[WelshBluebird]

In terms of the bars, its worth remembering they started when you couldn't get a Pale Ale or a sour beer anywhere. Most places did a lager, a cider and an ale and thats about it. Nowadays everywhere is selling some kind of craft beer, and even places like Spoons have loads of choice. Regardless of their cringey marketing Brewdog did have a point back in the day.

As for the bubble bursting, try saying that in somewhere like Left Handed Giant in Central bristol on a Friday night! You can barely move in a lot of these places even now.

Back to Brewdog themselves, defo sad for the staff but the company had this coming. As soon as the stuff about their founder came out they were in trouble. Not helped by their ott expansion (did they really needed two bars a 13 min walk from each other in Bristol - probably not) and the increase in competition (as mentioned above you can get a half decent pale ale in most places these days). I've not been in one of their bars in ages and I think thats part of the issue - I am someone who loves pale ales and the like and who has disposable income so I'm more than happy to pay extra to avoid spoons - I should be the exact person going to their bars. But between the toxicity and there being so many similar but independent places where I live - I just go elsewhere.

 

[Harpo]

I never really understood why they opened the bars in the first place...give their target market a choice between cheap drinks in Wetherspoons and very expensive drinks in their bars and no surprise which won!

Following quickly behind the producer of Spoon’s ubiquitous Doom Bar, Sharps, in needing to shed staff.

 

[Backroom_boy]

Following on from WH Smiths, it now looks like TJ Jones is 'restructuring'.

 

[styles]

Following on from WH Smiths, it now looks like TJ Jones is 'restructuring'.

Kinda inevitable. If the business model were working, WH Smith wouldn't be selling it!

Similar to BrewDog - bought and kept the good bits, let over 50% of the staff go and closed 75% of the bars, presumably the unprofitable ones.

 

[Kite159]

And no doubt there would be some unprofitable stores of the company formally known as WH Smiths on the high street, especially those in older buildings which are awkwardly shaped.

But where else am I going to be able to buy an regular sized toblerone for £5

 

[Harpo]

Following on from WH Smiths, it now looks like TJ Jones is 'restructuring'.

Adding ‘happy, cheerful and friendly’ to the former WHS person spec hopefully.

 

[duffield]

Kinda inevitable. If the business model were working, WH Smith wouldn't be selling it!

Similar to BrewDog - bought and kept the good bits, let over 50% of the staff go and closed 75% of the bars, presumably the unprofitable ones.

The main post office in Nottingham moved into WH Smith, now TG Jones, a few years ago, so I hope that one doesn't close! I used it just a few weeks ago for the "Check & Send" passport renewal, the post office bit is always busy.

 

[SuspectUsual]

The main post office in Nottingham moved into WH Smith, now TG Jones, a few years ago, so I hope that one doesn't close! I used it just a few weeks ago for the "Check & Send" passport renewal, the post office bit is always busy.

There are about 190 TG Jones that have a post office in them

Incidentally the sale deal last year included a one year moratorium on store closures. Tick tock. Time’s nearly up

 

[Steddenm]

There are about 190 TG Jones that have a post office in them

Incidentally the sale deal last year included a one year moratorium on store closures. Tick tock. Time’s nearly up

Seaford has two TG Jones stores. One TG Jones branded (the old WHSmith) and one literally across the road which is Sussex Stationers branded but is still TG Jones inside. Same uniforms, tills, advertising.

 

[styles]

The main post office in Nottingham moved into WH Smith, now TG Jones, a few years ago, so I hope that one doesn't close! I used it just a few weeks ago for the "Check & Send" passport renewal, the post office bit is always busy.

Yeah and I think this strategic partnership with Post Offices was a good move by Smiths. The rest of the (high street) store is often gloomy as if there's an electricity ration in place, more expensive than competitors, and the least book store feeling book store section. They just feel a bit jack of all trades, master of naff all.

 

[STINT47]

In my local TG Jones I have noticed zero changes over the last year. If you take over a failing business and make no changes then is it really surprising that they're still failing a year later?

It's amazing that WH Smith found anyone to buy the stores in the first place and I don't have much confidence for the future.

 

[Peter Mugridge]

But where else am I going to be able to buy an regular sized Toblerone for £5

Tesco...?

In my local TG Jones I have noticed zero changes over the last year. If you take over a failing business and make no changes then is it really surprising that they're still failing a year later?

It's amazing that WH Smith found anyone to buy the stores in the first place and I don't have much confidence for the future.

When I went into the Epsom branch recently ( which is a rare occurrence for me!! ) my bank statement still showed "WH Smith" for the transaction!

 

[SuspectUsual]

In my local TG Jones I have noticed zero changes over the last year. If you take over a failing business and make no changes then is it really surprising that they're still failing a year later?

It's amazing that WH Smith found anyone to buy the stores in the first place and I don't have much confidence for the future.

Depends why its failing I suppose.

If it was a high cost base but the sales line was OK, you could sort out purchasing and head office overhead and you might get a result.

However in this case I think the issue is declining sales so yes, you'd expect to see something change. As has been said before, on the High Street Smiths / Jones offers nothing apart from the post offices that you can't get cheaper and in a nicer environment somewhere else

 

[Peter Sarf]

Following on from WH Smiths, it now looks like TJ Jones is 'restructuring'.

+

Kinda inevitable. If the business model were working, WH Smith wouldn't be selling it!

Similar to BrewDog - bought and kept the good bits, let over 50% of the staff go and closed 75% of the bars, presumably the unprofitable ones.

Completely agree. Furthermore I see the move of Post offices into WHSmith and TGJones as eventual closure by stealth of post office counters.

Incidentally how long has Royal Mail got left ?.
I really have got it in for Royal Mail now that it consistently screws up my mail deliveries.
Royal Mil becoming just another parcels company and it has become apparent that is their strategy. The new owners obviously do not want the post part - so boycott the parcels part of Royal Mail folks, before it is too late.

Yeah and I think this strategic partnership with Post Offices was a good move by Smiths. The rest of the (high street) store is often gloomy as if there's an electricity ration in place, more expensive than competitors, and the least book store feeling book store section. They just feel a bit jack of all trades, master of naff all.

+

In my local TG Jones I have noticed zero changes over the last year. If you take over a failing business and make no changes then is it really surprising that they're still failing a year later?

It's amazing that WH Smith found anyone to buy the stores in the first place and I don't have much confidence for the future.

These two posts really bring to mind the Croydon branch of TGJones (ex-WHSmith). I submit to you - the signs directing customers to the clearance outlet upstairs - the stairs and escalator to which have been blocked off for years.

Also brings back memories of Woolworths losing direction (and lighting).

 

[Backroom_boy]

The restructuring might not be anymore sophisticated than TJ Jones checking which leases are coming up for a break point and if the store isn't making a profit it gets chopped.

 

[Peter Sarf]

The restructuring might not be anymore sophisticated than TJ Jones checking which leases are coming up for a break point and if the store isn't making a profit it gets chopped.

This seems to be the reason for the demise of quite a few, otherwise profitable, shops/spoons in Croydon - rent.

 

[wilbers]

The restructuring might not be anymore sophisticated than TJ Jones checking which leases are coming up for a break point and if the store isn't making a profit it gets chopped.

...at that point they do have the option of trying to negotiate the rent down, particularly if its in an area with plenty of empty shops - 2/3rd rent is often better than no rent to a landlord.

 

[Djgr]

One problem, as shown on this topic, is that people can't recall the new name correctly!!

 

[duffield]

One problem, as shown on this topic, is that people can't recall the new name correctly!!

I was sure it was *TG* Jones (and it is!) but I started doubting myself and had to double check after reading the last few posts!

 

[Backroom_boy]

One problem, as shown on this topic, is that people can't recall the new name correctly!!

Ha ha! Sorry my fault!

 

[jon81uk]

Depends why its failing I suppose.

If it was a high cost base but the sales line was OK, you could sort out purchasing and head office overhead and you might get a result.

However in this case I think the issue is declining sales so yes, you'd expect to see something change. As has been said before, on the High Street Smiths / Jones offers nothing apart from the post offices that you can't get cheaper and in a nicer environment somewhere else

Although in many towns it will be the only phyiscal store for stationery and books, so if they sorted out the look, feel and presentation of the stores they could do OK in those places.
The main competitior would be Amazon.

 

[35B]

Although in many towns it will be the only phyiscal store for stationery and books, so if they sorted out the look, feel and presentation of the stores they could do OK in those places.
The main competitior would be Amazon.

I think you over-estimate the strength of their position. Amazon is their main competitor, and then in this quite ordinary town stationery can be purchased in person from Rymans, The Range, Home Bargains, The Works, Boyes, B&M, and the supermarkets.

They're like Woolworths. They sell a lot of things not terribly well, and not in large quantities. Their stores aren't inviting, and they can't make enough money to justify tarting them up, meaning they're stuck in a decline loop. And it won't be long before the Post Office counters aren't getting the volumes of business to justify their existence as postage can be bought online (I'm already thinking "should I buy some labels to print postage with" rather than printing and cutting A4 sheets) and collected from the door or more convenient stores.

 

[Harpo]

As has been said before, on the High Street Smiths / Jones offers nothing apart from the post offices that you can't get cheaper and in a nicer environment somewhere else

As someone who selectively purchases (rather than subscribes to) many railway magazines, I beg to differ.

Yes, supermarkets may offer the odd railway title but never a serious choice of them. Same goes for books.

 

[35B]

As someone who selectively purchases (rather than subscribes to) many railway magazines, I beg to differ.

Yes, supermarkets may offer the odd railway title but never a serious choice of them. Same goes for books.

Smugs have never been a serious bookseller