JJB is in big trouble.

I see Principles has gone to the wall, although Debenham's will still have outlets. Principles for Men used to be a good store.

Not posted here for a while.

We knew from early January that OSC and Qube were set for administration. JJB now has a standstill agreement until 16th March to find a buyer for the gyms.

I now think that it is only a matter of time (announcement will probably be made next week in my opinion), until JJB enters admin.

Sales have been seriously slow this last month, and no new stock except for the biggest selling stores.

I used to like Principles, but they have got very expensive for what they are, and I don't like the styles of their clothes these days

Looks like H Samuel could be in touble. The Grays branch has closed down suddenly. If the shop closure continues at this pace there will be no shops left in Grays soon!

There are lots of empty shops here in Cheltenham; all small independants, all gone recently, and of course, Woolworths, Apollo 2000 etc.

I work in Kensington and walking down the high street the other day, I noticed about 6 shops which had closed down and the premises remaining empty.

Saddest of all was Whittard's - not that I went there a lot, I just loved to have an occasional browse.

If there was one place I thought would be able to fare better than most, it would be Kensington (where, for those of you not familiar with it, lots of rich people live).

Birthdays are now in administration:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/8060868.stm

Bay also went under but somebody has got some stores:

http://www.retail-week.com/bay-tradi...002811.article

Holy greeting cards

thats bad!

Its getting worse.

Last time I was High Street Kensington way (March time) even WH Smith's were closing down there!

It's Westfield that's done for there though isnt it, rather then the recession.

(it's probably already been mentioned on this thread but it's old and I can't be bothered trawling back)

I think Westfield has helped kill off shopping in many a suburb in west London sadly

Ealing Broadway, Hammersmith, Hounslow and Uxbridge have seen many stores close. The timing of Westfield's opening during a recession couldn't have been timed worse.

Personally I don't like Westfield - it's got nothing on Bluewater

I see Early Learning Centre are closing stores but not in administration I wonder why this is?

Are they? Any link to what stores?

If it is anything like the Hammersmith ELC it has become part of the same store that Mothercare is in.

Hammersmith has taken a hit from Westfield too - Kings Mall has several closed units with chains taking their branches into Westfield itself. The first to go was Habitat which has been replaced by one of those sports shops with a permanent sale on.

I do like Westfield but it is SO vast that if you just want to go into one shop you have to walk what feels like miles to get to it!

I heard something about Mothercase taking over but one I heard was Oxford closing down?

We had Mothercare here but it shut down a while back so I'm not sure if it will be an empty unit or if they have plans to reopen one of them?

Wine Rack, Threshers and the Local

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/to...cle6896128.ece

I've never understood how JJB sports is still in business. The prices in there are rediculous - especially when you can buy exactly the same stuff for as much as £10 cheaper in Sports World/Direct.

I'm no fan of Westfield at all... I'm sad to say every time I've been I've left empty-handed and haven't enjoyed it! It's just go no soul to it, so sterile and hoity-toity! For any major purchases, I still prefer the West End.

It's shocking it was ever allowed planning permission, seeing as it's damaged so many local suburbs. I had to go through Hammersmith daily recently and it's a shame to see the town's shops going the same way as Ealing Broadway.
The Kings Mall Sainsbury's is one of the friendliest in west London though - lovely people

I guess Hammersmith, like Kensington, only has so many affluent residents

If it's footie gear like replica kit or training gear you're after, then SportsDirect is the place. JJB just don't have the range and if they do, they charge £10+ more for the same items!

That said, SportsDirect do sell some nasty tat, though

Agreed. You get wooed by the 70% off sale - then realise why its 70% off.

I haven't seen branches of those off licences in recent years so I think the number of branches must have been cut, however I have seen the Local in Grays. Is it an off licence or more of a convenience store though?

Ah I encountered a 'Local' when visiting family in Norfolk this summer... I'd never heard of them before!

I went in for a look round and it sold your typical range of beers, wines and spirits plus some convenience goods too. Quite unusual really, but not cheap

If I really, really needed some cans or a bottle I'd pick up one there, if not, I'd go to a supermarket. Nothing special

Looks like 'Borders':

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/n...hin-hours.html

and they own Books etc which is shutting down:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2...administration

It's just been confirmed. Borders is now in administration