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Original poster

My favourite shop is going downhill

50 replies

user12678356 · 14/12/2018 10:35

I've been a fan of HoF for a few years and it's where I shop - mostly.

Following the recent takeover, I've observed a significant drop in product offerings. They don't currently stock high quality brands like they used to and the few good brands are offered in silly sizes.

Also, I've noticed a surge in the sports direct brands. I'm glad the business got saved and less jobs lost, but I'm gutted my favourite shop is changing & I'll have to go elsewhere. Anyone else noticed this?

OP posts:
ChessIsASport · 14/12/2018 10:38

Yes ours looks like a cross between a sample sale and a discount sports shop. Such a shame.

TheFaerieQueene · 14/12/2018 10:42

Yes, I was in Richmond HofF yesterday as I had some time to kill and it was so depressing. Yes, it has been a bit shabby for a few years - I’m not sure it has had a refurb since it was Dickins and Jones, but now it looks grim. On one floor it was little better than a jumble sale.
It is such a shame.

AnneEyhtMeyer · 14/12/2018 11:03

HOF has been like a jumble sale for the last 6 or 7 years, it's not a recent thing.

Original poster
user12678356 · 14/12/2018 11:04

Ours used to be well laid out, albeit only a few years old, the store was ever clean and had a really good atmosphere to it. Now, it's overfilled rails, narrow aisles & cheap stuff.
Bought a Howick (HoF brand) quilted jacket recently & the quality was poor compared to a used one I bought 2 years ago.

OP posts:
ElsieCat · 14/12/2018 11:06

Well it's owned by the Sports Direct man now, so what can you expect, really?

Have you been in a Sports Direct? Hmm Awful, awful place.

CrazySheepLady · 14/12/2018 11:25

That's what Mike Ashley does, sadly.

lifebeginz · 14/12/2018 11:38

I was in the one in Edinburgh. I was looking for a longchamp bag which they no longer sell. Then I went into to look at watches - the watches had been cleared to make way for a load of Lonsdale bags.....Totally different shopping experience. It did bother me a bit

StoodOnALego · 14/12/2018 11:56

Bit depressing. Have always been HoF fan until now. @lifebeginz was it HofF or Jenners? Please tell me Jenners is still OK? Shock

lurkingfromhome · 14/12/2018 12:09

HoF in Edinburgh closed last month so I'm guessing lifebeginz was in Jenners. That really is depressing.

ShatnersBassoon · 14/12/2018 12:15

They'll have got rid of the quality goods to make way for Lonsdale and Slazenger. It's a shame; HoF used to be a good shop for finding new things whilst still being reliable.

Laska2Meryls · 14/12/2018 12:19

I loved HOF, esp the one in Chichester which had been such a big part of the town forever ( but thats one of those going).. sadly now that git Ashley has bought it ,I'm afraid thats it f or me ..

John Lewis only left now for me on the High St I think (keeping all fingers crossed or JL.. I spend enough in there to keep it afloat I think ! )

Laska2Meryls · 14/12/2018 12:19

Loved Jenners when I was last in Edinburgh Sad

NeverHadANickname · 14/12/2018 12:56

My Mam said similar earlier in the week. She just wanted a purse and said they all looked cheap and the place had loads of really cheap Christmas crackers with the most awful toys inside. It's a real shame.

EffOrf · 14/12/2018 12:58

RIP HoF

I took my credit card off my account as can’t see me shopping with them again

TSSDNCOP · 14/12/2018 18:07

I got a £50 voucher last week that I’m looking to spend as fast as possible. Bluewater’s cosmetic counters have told me they’ve. not had new stock for months

Sarcelle · 14/12/2018 18:11

The Guildford shop is usually a nice shop. I am going there tomorrow - has that gone to the dogs too?

Andthatswhytheycallittheblues · 14/12/2018 18:14

I think a lot of suppliers were fried from the delivery shutdown and payment problems so have withdrawn their stock. I don't blame them at all.

fridgepants · 14/12/2018 21:49

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fridgepants · 14/12/2018 21:51

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OrgyofSausages · 14/12/2018 21:57

Everything Mike Ashley touches turns to crap. It's his special gift.Shock.

You should see his house ( it's just a few streets away from where I live). It looks like a tacky Vegas style whore's palace.

yas212 · 14/12/2018 23:39

Do you think he bought them out so that he can slowly turn all of the sites into sports directs without anyone noticing? Sounds like that’s the plan

Blankscreen · 14/12/2018 23:55

It is a shame but ultimately the HoF everyone 'loves' wasn't sustainable and wasn't making nay money.

I'm sure the staff would rather have their jobs than not......

polyhymnia · 15/12/2018 01:11

The Richmond branch is my local and quite honestly have found it dreary and depressing for last 15 - 20 years. Wasn’t at all surprised they were struggling, as I literally only now go in when the Clarins counter has a good promotion or v occasionally to check out the latest in Bobbi Brown. So in one way wouldn’t miss it at all, but it would leave a big ‘dead space’ in the heart of the high street.

polyhymnia · 15/12/2018 01:12

And of course would also be sad that people had lost their jobs.

lifebeginz · 17/12/2018 07:45

@stoodonalego nope sadly I was meaning Jenners (it is technically HoF now) Absolute let down!

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