Shops that we miss

[Pikafuckingwho]

On the back of the Past Times thread. What shops do you miss:

I miss

Coast (I know it’s online but it’s gone a bit shit)
Ravel
Morgan ( well my youthful self misses it)
Disney Store I know there is one in London but there used to be one in almost every town
Bay Trading (always good for a nice top to go with jeans)

Woolworths. Wilko is a poor relation.
C & A.
Littlewoods cheese counter!
HMV
Hate online shopping, it’s nothing but a headache for me, so the slow death of the high street is genuine sadness.

Woolworths. Wilko is a poor relation

i think Wilko/The Range/Home Bargains and B&M have Woolworths pretty much covered.

Oasis

Oasis
Gap
Warehouse
Borders bookshop

I was also v sad to see the Oxford circus flagship top shop store close. It was so iconic - I went there with my mum, on my own as a young woman and with my own DD.

People keep saying HMV. They didn't close. They are still trading. Their vinyl trade is doing well apparently. They expanded their product range too.

I went to HMV yesterday! Love it in there :)

When I was a teenager in the 00s I loved a shop called Au Naturale, it sold home stuff. I remember buying trinkets, scented candles, fluffy cushions etc for my room. I even tried to get a part time job there once lol. I also loved Woolworths for school supplies and sweets. More recent ones I miss are Topshop and Debenhams.

@WH52 I LOVED au naturale! They had all sorts of lovely quirky gifts. Slightly alternative/hippy style. I used to work over the road from one and I was in there all the time. Miss it so much.

All the independent department stores. Binns and Joplings in Sunderland were great.

all of these!! I feel sorry for teens not having Tammy Girl for first bras or Dolcis/Barrett’s for reasonable shoes. I just online shop at John Lewis now for most things! I loved Oasis and Topshop particularly for their jeans or just a “different” top, Warehouse was a fave too and New Look for cheap basics/holiday stuff as that has gone from my town now too!!

there’s still so much of these old brands in my wardrobe!

I liked the cute bright coloured cardigans in LK Bennett for posh outfits/weddings or work - expensive but washed so well and I know will last forever! (If I can keep moths away)

my OH liked Banana Republic mens.

but more recently I found no where had a Dior makeup counter anymore, I loved their mascara, lipstick and foundation particularly and would pay to get my whole face done for weddings etc and would always last so nicely and not “caked on” or OTT.

I quite liked Etam for clothes in my younger years.

It was only there for a short time when I first moved to London but I often think of Kensington Market. I got a long red coat at one stall and a vintage velvet bodice. You could get your hair cut there if you were brave enough.
And then just of the Kensington High Street area in general. There was a Laura Ashley and several independent clothes shops in the side streets. I still have several Klimt inspired glass baubles from the BHS there-the Christmas stock was awesome.
Camden Market was fabulous and chaotic and I recently got a poster from The Poster Shop bought in the early 80s, framed. I loved all of the tiny stalls run by one person who made the clothing. Is it in any way still like this?

I really miss Crabtree and Evelyn. I used to love their aloe Vera soap and their goatmilk soap. Smelled gorgeous.

I think even the shops we have aren't what they used to be

Went to Flag ship M&S in London yet no curtains in the store or fabric samples

Look online, how does that help you judge the colour

Yes, but the post is what shops people miss, not which chains have gone under.

HMV massively reduced their number of shops, so obviously lots of people won't have a local store anymore, and will miss it!

Wallis from the olden days when it was smart and stylish not a mass of floral tops and nylon trousers.

@Badbadbunny but if people still want to buy stuff from HMV they can even if they don't have a branch nearby. You just do it via their website. So you don't have to miss it. It's there.... waiting for you 🙂

This thread reminded me of an old joke that future generations won't get...

Girl: Mum, why do my shoes have L and R on them?
Mum: It stands for left foot and right foot, so you remember where to put them.
Girl: Oh, is that why my knickers have C&A on them?

@woodhill - or indeed the quality of the fabric

There used to be a little sweet shop run by an old lady who lived in a lodge house on the A road that runs between Warwick and Banbury. You could park in a layby right by her door. I guess she died around 1980, give or take a couple of years.

And Toytown in Leamington Spa. I also miss the bakery in Burnham Market. Grooms, I think.

Don't confuse shops with 'depots' like PC World , Topshop et al. A shop has staff that serve you and give advice. Depots are cold impassionate places that try to sell you insurance for 3 years 'just in case' their goods are faulty.

Jane Norman.Loved their bodycon dresses so much

Great for gifts, hats and kids clothes.

I also loved Principles. But don't despair the design team from it went on to start Mint Velvet. I still have some Principles suits and dresses and a leather jacket, and they have lasted so well!

I miss:
Principles. some dodgy knitwear but really great seperates and dresses.
Debehams for lighting, Designers like '9 Savannah Miller' and their decent furniture
Woolworths for household stuff and their cafe
Allders
House of Fraser (lets face it it has gone down hill)
Coast for 'occasion wear'
Topshop for their excellent makeup and jeans. I know its on asos but its not the same.

I loved Principles too in the 00s