Forums Forums Wirral Information Ask - Wiki Wirral Bolts at Bebington Road

This closed some time back, but it seems a new shop is to open there.

Has anyone any idea of what the new business opening there will be.

I tried to look on the wirral council planning site but its useless.

If its not an increase in usage level from retail + residential, there will be no need for a planning application.

Auction estimate was £110k-£120k which I thought was low as it is freehold, and it achieved £166,500

Its got a cellar as well as an accessible flat roof/patio on the rear half and a small yard.

There were workmen there the other day. I think they were replacing the iron bars with motorised shutters, but I wonder what the new business will be.

I'd assume it won't be able to compete with the recently tarted up Tesco next door and will be something they don't sell. Motor parts seems one possibility as Tesco's car park can be used by the customers all of which will have cars, but I'm plucking this from thin air.

At the risk of a £70 parking charge, it is a private car park for Tesco customers.

May be someone bought it as a cheap house, I'm still surprised how cheap it was, there is a lot of passing trade, there's plenty of pedestrians passing and no shortage of school kids.

Perhaps one of the smaller white goods groups? I can't think of another in the vicinity.

The building itself is interesting, it is detached and not part of the terraced shops, it is in line with the old college buildings which the shops aren't. The back half looks like it was built as something to do with the cinema? I'm not sure if the current front half is more recent or predates the back half.

Think it’s going to be a restaurant as there was a notice on window for license for sale of alcohol. Strange if it is as there is one on other corner which appears to not be doing too well.

Haven’t been on for awhile but do check in every now and again

Nothing in the licence register yet for an application, presumably there is a notice period.

You an get around the risk of a fine from Messrs Tesco by going in and buying a carrot or something. Provided you don't exceed the time limit you are then free to explore the delights of whatever replaces Bolts.

I bitterly regret its passing. It has everything I wanted and saved a trip to the chaotic overpriced Wickes which always manages a fail when I want to but something there.

That's an urban myth but most supermarkets don't bother trying to pursue it. Using similar logic you only have to buy an item once in your lifetime to qualify as a "Tesco Customer". Once you head off to do something else or go somewhere else, you lose your status as a Tesco Customer. There are a few places do enforce this, more so where they are close to tourist attractions or other places where there are parking problems, I was at a Tesco Extra near Southport last August which are supposed to be hot on it.

Yes, I quite liked Bolts as well, I used it more than the Tesco's next door.

Bolts was what I would have called an ironmongers.

On Merseyside they are called 'chandlers' which I believe properly refers to ones dedicated to marine requirements.

It was the last one in the area. I can't think of any other now, unless you consider places like Wickes, - best avoided in my opinion.

There's the Rightway group which have seven(?) stores in Wirral.

There are quite a few independents with a similar format to Bolts but not being part of chains you don't hear about them. New Ferry had a few, Oxton Road, Birkenhead had a few, Wallsey etc.

To be fair to Wickes their products tend to be of more reliable quality than the other large chains, their stocking has gone down the pan, in my last three visits the main item I went for was out of stock.

We are very lucky with Toolstation by Cammell Laird, that is the best run Toolstation I have come across by far, some of them are truly aweful. I tend to click and collect, don't wait for the text, I set off immediately, they always have it ready before I get there.

Screwfix has improved, used to take 20 minutes to buy something even when the shop was empty. Prices are similar to Toolstation now, they used to be dearer.

Don't even think of going to Travis Perkins unless you have trade discount.

I've never taken to Jewson's and they've usually let me down.

B&Q I use only when necessary, the days when staff used to run away when you were asking for help are still stuck in my mind and the cutting machine that was broken more often than working didn't help.

B&M are quite good but their stores are busy and you need to sharpen your elbows or get knocked for six.

Argos stock a lot of stuff, I don't bother with them these days.