Forums
Posted By: RUDEBOX Another nail in coffin for Liscard - 17th Mar 2015 1:44pm
WH Smith in Liscard could be closing down. A petition to save it is under way and can be signed in the store. I was talking to the staff today and we have all said we hope another charity shop doesn't open as this could be the end of Liscard as more big name stores leave the town.

Copy/ paste facebook
Posted By: GeeMeister Re: Another nail in coffin for Liscard - 17th Mar 2015 2:03pm
When I first walked through Cherry Square in the 70's it was a vibrant place, it is a very different story these days. It's very sad but also a reflection of both the financial times we live in and also a change of shopping habits. We all love a bargain and a lot of people will look in store then buy cheaper on line. That doesnt mean people would buy their admin stuff or stationary online rather than call into the store but it also reflects on passing trade too, those people who may have gone to town for one thing then gone into the store simply because they were passing by or through. Its a shame.
Posted By: palemoon Re: Another nail in coffin for Liscard - 17th Mar 2015 2:38pm
Originally Posted by GeeMeister
When I first walked through Cherry Square in the 70's it was a vibrant place,

It was a pleasure to shop there then. Marks & Spencer, Littlewoods, Currys, Menzies, Woollies and the big Co-op.Just look at it now. Cheapo shops, charity shops, money lending shops. Dear me, how times have changed.
Posted By: the_pope Re: Another nail in coffin for Liscard - 17th Mar 2015 6:11pm
i remember going the Kwik Save with my mum 30+ years ago in Liscard, on the corner over the road from the wellie, also I remember as a kid when they had all the floats driving through liscard up to New Brighton for the Wirral show
Posted By: GeeMeister Re: Another nail in coffin for Liscard - 17th Mar 2015 6:16pm
I hope your mum was in her 90's or I will feel very old.
Posted By: Moonstar Re: Another nail in coffin for Liscard - 17th Mar 2015 6:33pm
Once upon a time parking was easy and free, now I understand they have or about to raise the charges. Having said that, once upon a time I was capable (and did frequently) of walking there and back.
Posted By: j_demo Re: Another nail in coffin for Liscard - 17th Mar 2015 7:18pm
Smiths lost most of it's customers when it shut the entertainment section upstairs and now has a very very small one downstairs, i loved going in there to the upstairs bit for a browse at the CD's etc, same with woolies when that was there, always had a browse at the CD's and games in there. with gamestation going, grainger is the only place in liscard that sells games and nowhere sells CD's there anymore so the "younger generation" haven't got a reason to go there anymore, i've just turned 26 and the only reason i still go to liscard is because it's close to where i work (VCH) otherwise there's nothing really there for people my age to go and buy stuff, even my girlfriend who's 22 says there's no shops for girls to go and spend money, the new look there is cr*p and has the old stuff that the bigger stores no longer want. sure it's expensive to get to liverpool these days, but it's worth it if you're going for a shop or even just for a browse. unless you're heading into liscard with the aim and knowledge that what you want IS there, there's no reason to go. it's a shame, it was a nice place to go and have a look round and ultimately buy a few things, now you can't do that, if it isn't charity shops it's £ shops or cash converters/cash generator/money lending shops or cheap shops ie B&M, Home Bargains, Heron etc. what it needs is a couple of 'big' shops to open/re-open and put it back on the map, something like a HMV, The Entertainer, Sports Direct, Next, Oasis, even H&M or Schuh just two or three shops that people will go to "for a browse" because there's nothing to do there as it stands... heck even a bloody Ann Summers might make the place seem less miserable.

much in the same way Bromborough Retail Park is becoming, or what Cheshire Oaks has become, nobody goes to cheshire oaks knowing EXACTLY what they want, everyone goes to have a wander round and see what there is, Liscard should try and do the same, just make people want to go and have a look at the very least.
Posted By: j_demo Re: Another nail in coffin for Liscard - 17th Mar 2015 7:20pm
Originally Posted by Moonstar
Once upon a time parking was easy and free, now I understand they have or about to raise the charges. Having said that, once upon a time I was capable (and did frequently) of walking there and back.

in Monk road (behind McDonalds) and other roads around Liscard you can park on one side of them for 90 minutes for free... save yourself a quid or two.
Posted By: RUDEBOX Re: Another nail in coffin for Liscard - 17th Mar 2015 8:44pm
Pinched pics of Facebook. Posted up by G. Morton

Attached picture Liscard 1.jpg
Attached picture Liscard 2.jpg
Attached picture Liscrard 3.jpg
Attached picture Liscard 4.jpg
Attached picture Liscard 5.jpg
Posted By: Wally1 Re: Another nail in coffin for Liscard - 18th Mar 2015 12:52am
Many small town centres are going the same way unfortunately.
I stopped going to the Cherry Tree centre because of the
parking charges.
Posted By: pepe26 Re: Another nail in coffin for Liscard - 18th Mar 2015 1:48pm
Ah liscard where the streets are paved with chewing gum and they want you to pay to park , I'll give it a miss thanks
Posted By: BandyCoot Re: Another nail in coffin for Liscard - 18th Mar 2015 2:01pm
Tesco blight is what it is. Same every place you visit throughout the land, big Tesco's on the outskirts of town and charity shops all over the town centres themselves. You get what you pay for. Mind you, Tesco aren't the only ones but the symptoms and results are the same. Big shopping mals are another pain in the rear end. Was in Paphos recently and they've opened a big mal just outside Paphos, small businesses are shutting down already and the paint isn't dry yet.
Posted By: kamikazi Re: Another nail in coffin for Liscard - 18th Mar 2015 3:10pm
I shop in Liscard a few times a week, compared to many shopping centres I think Liscard is actually doing okay. The Cherry Tree has only a few empty units and I would guess is trading profitably.

I Like Liscard its not the most functional or the prettiest shopping centre, it sells what most people want but it doesnt do much in the way of quality or fashion, getting rid of the parking fees would solve most problems. Marine Point in New Brighton is a good example of how free parking works for a leisure/destination offer.

WH Smith is a paper based - High Street thing trying to survive in a digital age, it will eventually evolve to match its market or die trying, not saying thats a good thing, it just is.

Bricks, Mortar, Electricity, Transportation, Business Rates and Mammals cost way more than a Website that on the whole looks after itself.

Be sorry to see it go, should move the post office in there.


K
Posted By: diggingdeeper Re: Another nail in coffin for Liscard - 18th Mar 2015 3:31pm
I don't often use Liscard shopping centre however on the few occasions I do, I find the car parks are full, eliminating parking fees would make access worse for many people. What is needed is a council that comes up with a parking strategy that attempts to meet demand.

Wirral council has still not repealed its planning policy on the maximum number of parking spaces for new developments which means any developer wanting to have more parking spaces than the specified level has to jump through hoops and beg to be allowed the number of parking spaces they want to provide.

While the government introduced the maximum system, they have since repealed it (as have many councils). Why the concept of a maximum ever existed is beyond my ken, I would be specifying stricter minimums.
Posted By: kamikazi Re: Another nail in coffin for Liscard - 18th Mar 2015 5:33pm
The car Park behind Tesco is always empty.....always.

We need leadership to develop a plan that meets the needs of all stakeholders, communities, business and developers, a strategy that drives the economy and builds on a vision.

When Liverpool One was mooted, it started from culture, aspiration and making the best of the available assets , not a conversation about parking. Agreed we need a clear policy, but its part of a strategy not the starting point.

Free parking is a quick fix, it would increase the accessibility for those with less money and drive down the unit cost of goods.

Make the car park behind Tesco free for two hours, would put money on the one with charges being empty of shoppers and the centre having increases in footfall and spend.

We need leadership both elected, accountable and enterprising locally. We have done for some time.

Make sure you vote people, oh and shop local/independent.

Peace Out

K
Posted By: diggingdeeper Re: Another nail in coffin for Liscard - 18th Mar 2015 10:15pm
I didn't even know that car existed by Liscard shopping centre.


Posted By: diggingdeeper Re: Another nail in coffin for Liscard - 18th Mar 2015 11:07pm
Originally Posted by diggingdeeper
I didn't even know that car existed by Liscard shopping centre.


Car = car park doh
Posted By: Uffda Re: Another nail in coffin for Liscard - 20th Mar 2015 6:25pm
I agree that free parking in Liscard would help. I frequently want to pop into Wikinsons but begrudge paying the minimum of £1.05 when I just want to shoot in quickly for something only costing a pound or two. The only other Wiko I know of on the Wirral is Birkenhead and I'd rather shop in Liverpool than there.
Posted By: the_pope Re: Another nail in coffin for Liscard - 21st Mar 2015 7:28am
Originally Posted by Uffda
I agree that free parking in Liscard would help. I frequently want to pop into Wikinsons but begrudge paying the minimum of £1.05 when I just want to shoot in quickly for something only costing a pound or two. The only other Wiko I know of on the Wirral is Birkenhead and I'd rather shop in Liverpool than there.


if you can wait and do your shopping until a Sunday, its free parking in the one above argos all day Sunday
Posted By: GeeMeister Re: Another nail in coffin for Liscard - 21st Mar 2015 8:31am
If your not able to wait until a Sunday, then £1.05 for parking is certainly more cost effective than either Birkenhead (pay for parking) or Liverpool (pay for tunnel plus parking is terrible). It's a sad fact but you have to pay for parking in most major shopping areas these days.
Posted By: j_demo Re: Another nail in coffin for Liscard - 21st Mar 2015 7:29pm
Originally Posted by Uffda
I agree that free parking in Liscard would help. I frequently want to pop into Wikinsons but begrudge paying the minimum of £1.05 when I just want to shoot in quickly for something only costing a pound or two. The only other Wiko I know of on the Wirral is Birkenhead and I'd rather shop in Liverpool than there.

as i said earlier, most of the side streets/residential streets you can park for free for 90 minutes.

likewise i also used to park in the small car park which the entrance is between KFC and the opticians... it's 'technically' a staff car park for 'spoons but it's never ever checked and if you're popping in anmd out for 10 mins then you'll be fine. but again if you want something and want to see where's cheaper (wilko, home bargains, B&M, £land etc) then park in one of the residential streets around there... the signs say 90 mins free for non-residents so it's not some major secret, just not-very-well-known
Posted By: Salmon Re: Another nail in coffin for Liscard - 22nd Mar 2015 9:38am
Just a word of caution about the side roads in the Liscard area. Some have residents only parking areas as well as free for all. Torrington Road, Eric Road and others round there are such examples.
Posted By: Rredd Re: Another nail in coffin for Liscard - 22nd Mar 2015 1:53pm
WHSmith are the largest retailer of pornography in the UK and sell some pretty vile stuff. I am glad they are going. Good riddance. I hope the whole chain disappear. As far as another charity shop or bargain shop opening, good, they are a lifeline to a lot of families in the area, Without these people would not be able to make ends meet or cloth their kids. Bring it on!
Posted By: svenlock68 Re: Another nail in coffin for Liscard - 22nd Mar 2015 6:36pm
Its part and parcel of the generic insidious breakdown of consumerist high rent samey samey high street monotone of uk high streets all over.
Same companies only survive that can afford the rents even if unprofitable because other branches hold up profit across the group....hence the same shops /brands are the norm.
i dont need mary portas to tell me that.
councils obsessed with making money charge parking and hence free parking like ches oaks drains foot fall out of local areas.
its the same as in the 70s the tunnel was to be free whens the debts paid off....
Now the 40 mil is made, the debt STILL aint paid!!! 9 mil goes to the payments and its now a ten million cash cow to mersey travel.
itll never be free.
this sums up what i hate about how the uks turned out....a crap version of the usa
Posted By: svenlock68 Re: Another nail in coffin for Liscard - 22nd Mar 2015 6:38pm
By the way i never pay to park in central birkenhead or liverpool city centre or liscard ever
Its all about knowledge and a bit of walking (and not being lazy) and knowing parking law
Posted By: hagar Re: Another nail in coffin for Liscard - 25th Mar 2015 11:40pm
noticed about a month ago that the whole of the Boots shop in Liscard is up for sale as well!
Posted By: DavidB Re: Another nail in coffin for Liscard - 26th Mar 2015 8:50am
The main road toward Seacombe has free parking, and is a one minute walk away!
Posted By: Dilly Re: Another nail in coffin for Liscard - 26th Mar 2015 11:15am
The nail in the coffin for Liscard was long ago when they built the pyramid centre, it's just been a gradual decline since then. I can see no way back for Liscard. frown
Posted By: svenlock68 Re: Another nail in coffin for Liscard - 26th Mar 2015 9:13pm
ive heard a monotone 99p type poundworld shop going to be put in liscard too
how awful
Posted By: Snodvan Re: Another nail in coffin for Liscard - 27th Mar 2015 6:14pm
Given Home Bargain in N. Brighton, Birkenhead and a new one at the B&Q junction 1 location you have also to wonder about the viability of the one in Liscard. That said the Liscard place always seems busy

Snod
Posted By: svenlock68 Re: Another nail in coffin for Liscard - 28th Mar 2015 10:03am
Keep people consuming cheap products via debt and eating or drinking/smoking/gambling etc you make £ , large companies cream it in...thats their end game.
In the words of the great charlie brooker
"Modern humans are like dawn of dead farting skittles roaming shops like cows in a field"
Btw 97 % of all money in the uk is debt.
A great youtube doc called "the four horsemen" is a good watch. Its nowt to do with horses.ha
Posted By: Sallybear Re: Another nail in coffin for Liscard - 29th Mar 2015 12:52pm
WH Smiths is way past it's heyday. OK they sell loads of magazines you can't get elsewhere, but their books are expensive, their art supplies are expensive, even things like maps can all be bought elsewhere cheaper or online.

I have worked at 2 Smiths, Southampton and Liverpool and it was before the internet age really and it was always heaving, sad but just a sign of the times.
Posted By: SUExx Re: Another nail in coffin for Liscard - 29th Mar 2015 2:56pm
Got a bargain in liscard yesterday, a M&S coat for £20 retailing in m&s at the present for £89.
Posted By: svenlock68 Re: Another nail in coffin for Liscard - 30th Mar 2015 9:45am
Thats exactly why the internet buying is so massive.
If your salary is reduced by the cuts, u wana save...
Why drive to place to pay to park to then pay more via staff and store infrastructure....when it comes free in post half the cost.
Thats the shift in last decade that shut down bigtime on individuality in all city shops
Posted By: Cobby Re: Another nail in coffin for Liscard - 30th Mar 2015 2:06pm
Wirral Council could learn a lot from CWAC's decision to offer up to 4 hours free parking at some town centre locations in Ellesmere Port -http://www.yourwestcheshire.co.uk/NewsArticle/f5cf91ed-a046-4f67-8af5-0aa84d400999

Quote
Cheshire West and Chester Council has extended its free parking offer in Ellesmere Port’s Westminster car park following a 46 percent rise in usage.

Working in partnership with the Town Centre Improvement Advisory Body, the Council implemented free parking for up to four hours in April 2014 in a bid to welcome more visitors, increase footfall and support the shops along Whitby Road and the rest of the town centre.

Following its success, the offer has now been extended for another year until April 1, 2016, funded by the Town Centre Improvement Advisory Body.

Executive Member for Localities, Councillor Lynn Riley, said: “This initiative has been a great example of the council working in partnership with the local community to highlight their needs and find real solutions...

...The aim of the project is to attract more shoppers to Ellesmere Port’s historic high street Whitby Road, which has seen vacancy rates drop in the past two years from 24 percent to 7 percent - half the national average.
Posted By: svenlock68 Re: Another nail in coffin for Liscard - 30th Mar 2015 2:55pm
I know the port well.
The council still own big asdas car park
B4 3pm you get charged or a ticket if not paid (£40)
They make alot of £ so wont sell it to asda
Councils are the most bent and money wasting quangos going.
Loads of people within it are well over paid.
heres a classic ....dan stevens wants to reduce cover in mfrs and police are reduced yet council tax is goin up!!
Posted By: CVCVCV Re: Another nail in coffin for Liscard - 30th Mar 2015 6:46pm
Made me wonder, and yes indeed, CWAC has a Conservative Majority:
“There are 75 elected members of Cheshire West and Chester Council, representing the 46 wards that make up the area. There are currently 42 Conservative Group Councillors, 32 Labour Group Councillors, and 1 Liberal Democrat Councillor."
(Source: http://www.cheshirewestandchester.g...rs_and_committees/political_make-up.aspx).
Coincidence? I think not...
Originally Posted by Cobby
Wirral Council could learn a lot from CWAC's decision to offer up to 4 hours free parking at some town centre locations in Ellesmere Port -http://www.yourwestcheshire.co.uk/NewsArticle/f5cf91ed-a046-4f67-8af5-0aa84d400999

Quote
Cheshire West and Chester Council has extended its free parking offer in Ellesmere Port’s Westminster car park following a 46 percent rise in usage.

Working in partnership with the Town Centre Improvement Advisory Body, the Council implemented free parking for up to four hours in April 2014 in a bid to welcome more visitors, increase footfall and support the shops along Whitby Road and the rest of the town centre.

Following its success, the offer has now been extended for another year until April 1, 2016, funded by the Town Centre Improvement Advisory Body.

Executive Member for Localities, Councillor Lynn Riley, said: “This initiative has been a great example of the council working in partnership with the local community to highlight their needs and find real solutions...

...The aim of the project is to attract more shoppers to Ellesmere Port’s historic high street Whitby Road, which has seen vacancy rates drop in the past two years from 24 percent to 7 percent - half the national average.
Posted By: svenlock68 Re: Another nail in coffin for Liscard - 31st Mar 2015 9:57am
Wirrals "leader" gets 175k a year,similar to cameron ,ridiculous !!!
Since labour forged the way of self entitled over pay .....councillors fire chiefs police chiefs council leaders have creamed it in.
Wirral bc was exposed and had to reduce the number of pen pushers getting 150k a year
Posted By: granny Re: Another nail in coffin for Liscard - 31st Mar 2015 11:15am
Taken from 2011...FOI

https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/salaries_over_58000_pa

https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/requ...t%20Titles%20and%20Sals%2058000.xls.html

Interesting set of figures ...

42 people identified at a net salary cost of £3,315,114 before oncosts

Employers Nat Ins is additional £364,662
Pensions, cars, expenses etc ignored from this quick example(!)

Council tax Band D = £1,464 Band A = £976

=> Wirral needs council tax from 2,513 Band D payers or 3,769 Band A payers for just 42 employees ....

Makes you think doesn't it ....

2 years later
https://www.wirral.gov.uk/my-services/council-and-democracy/budgets-and-spending/chief-officer-pay



Posted By: GeeMeister Re: Another nail in coffin for Liscard - 1st Apr 2015 5:49pm
Makes you think doesn't it ....?

They justify the amounts by saying they need to offer these salary levels to compete with the private sector in order to get quality people.
I've yet to see anyone that was so good that no one begrudged their salary working for the council.

Posted By: keef666 Re: Another nail in coffin for Liscard - 7th Apr 2015 9:18am
Its sad that people have to lose their jobs when another stores goes, but W,H.Smith was never a customer friendy shop, sticking books and mags on shelves you had to get down on your hands and knees to check them out, pity those in wheelchairs etc, the isles weren't wide enough to walk by without knock some display,
But that said Wirral Council is to blame for any store closing down with over charging on car parks,
I believe Boots are going next!
© Wirral-Wikiwirral