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Original poster

To ask for your most missed shops?

371 replies

anitagreen · 02/12/2018 13:07

This year my heart was broken by Toys "R" Us closing, just wondered what other shops that have closed do you miss?
This year we've had maplins, BHS I believe was this year, Mothercare will all be gone by next year summer too.
As a teen I used to love Bay Trading, and a shop called Tammy Girl.

OP posts:
Topseyt · 02/12/2018 14:09

Woolies. I grew up with it. Nothing has yet filled the hole it left.

BHS to an extent too. It had a good lighting and homeware department.

I don't miss Toys'R Us although I did occasionally shop there when my children were very young. They were soulless big warehouses that didn't have much character and didn't appeal to me.

Maelstrop · 02/12/2018 14:09

C&A and Evans.

MilkchopsMcgee · 02/12/2018 14:10

Woolworths
Bay trading
Peacocks
BHS

Ottakers (sp?) It was a beautiful book shop when I was a kid and they had a huge rocking horse in the kids section to play on

I miss new look from about 10 years ago when they did all the funky hoodies and decent basics

cantkeepawayforever · 02/12/2018 14:10

BhS - for the simple reason that they, and only they it appears, appreciated that boys needing school uniform could be skinny AND immensely tall.

Button elastic + 10 cm extra on length for XXL all the way up to age 15. I think I bought the last pairs in the UK of that size, which just lasted DS until 6th form..... and the fun which is buying adult trousers in 26-28" waist, 36" inside leg..... [currently surviving due to a fashion for rolling up hems on chinos... if rolled down may be less fashionable but are, critically, a good 2-3 cm longer than advertised length...]

EdWinchester · 02/12/2018 14:10

I don't miss any of the shops mentioned.

Our local BHS was a hideous place, ditto Woolworths.

cantkeepawayforever · 02/12/2018 14:11

Miss East and Kew.

Never had much from there - too expensive - but for someone who can't wear synthetic fibres they were AMAZING.

BabiesComeWithHats · 02/12/2018 14:11

Nobody's said HMV? That the definition of Saturday afternoon 'in town' for me. Browsing stuff I didn't understand and then buying some pop tripe Grin

SnuggyBuggy · 02/12/2018 14:12

This thread is making me weirdly nostalgic for my angsty teen years

FoodGloriousFud · 02/12/2018 14:13

Baba Yaga in the Metro Centre, LOVED that shop so much.

PawneeParksDept · 02/12/2018 14:13

God yes BORDERS I loved it and could have moved in.

Virgin also had a massive record shop in the city.

There was also a massive sportswear store 3 floors called Wade Smith. It was awesome. It was very expensive which is probably why it didn't last, but as a PP said, as soon as I could afford it it was gone. I still think of the pricey fleece I nearly bought with regret.

Julianaa · 02/12/2018 14:14

Half of these I didn't realise had closed. Blush

I miss Woolworths although I live abroad where there are quite a few similar shops although no Pick n Mix or singles on CD/cassette arranged in the top 20 order.

Pompom42 · 02/12/2018 14:14

The Pier
Cos To Go
Woolworths
Farnworths
BHS

AlexaAmbidextra · 02/12/2018 14:16

The Pier. And BHS whose lighting I loved.

SusanneLinder · 02/12/2018 14:18

Shoe shops in general! Dolcis, Saxone, Barratts, Freedom Hardy Willis, Curtess,Ravel and Dune.
Only shoe shops that are in our town are Shoe Zone ( yuck and cheap), Clarks ( great for kids, but so fuddy duddy), and Office ( which cater for a younger clientele).

SnuggyBuggy · 02/12/2018 14:18

I wish you could still get Woolworths pic n mix. No other pic n mix compares.

Chouetted · 02/12/2018 14:19

HMV is still around, though I was somewhat surprised to find a store as I thought they'd gone bust years ago - I still have boxsets I bought in the closing down sale.

Woolworth's pic n mix was unique, I've never found an exact replacement Sad

needtoshutupandlisten · 02/12/2018 14:22

Correct me if I'm wrong but isn't River Island just a Chelsea Girl rebrand? Same family, same company and in Leeds anyway, same store.

Also wasn't Lush the Cosmetics to Go creators second attempt after selling the name to someone else the first time round?

needtoshutupandlisten · 02/12/2018 14:25

And Dune is very much still going, although struggling a bit with so many of their concessions having to close.

PawneeParksDept · 02/12/2018 14:25

Lush is Cosmetics To Go yes they still occasionally wheel out Happy Hippy

Chelsea Girl I don't know because it's been River Island as long as I can remember.

AlexaAmbidextra · 02/12/2018 14:25

Yes to Principles. I know there are concessions in department stores but these just aren’t as good.

formerbabe · 02/12/2018 14:26

Jane Norman Blush

I am a fan of the man made fibre Blush

YesMrsLevinson · 02/12/2018 14:26

I miss Kwik Save! Our local one became Somerfield and is now a Co op. P

chickensaresafehere · 02/12/2018 14:32

Isn't Woolies just like Wilko's though?

Miss Cosmetics to go too. Loved their smaragadine shower gel & their hair perfume spray,can't remember what it was called.

Peregrina · 02/12/2018 14:32

Peacocks is still going locally.

AnnaNimmity · 02/12/2018 14:38

I used to really like Aubin & Wills.

I was probably one of the only people though which is why it closed down.

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