Walking shops.

[GrumpyGirl]

OK NO MORE WALKING SHOPS PLEASE. There isn't even a decent shop in Keswick that sells NORMAL things like, shock horror, stuff that people need. We have to travel a good few miles before we hit any decent places. This isn't a local friendly town anymore, so if you are the next alan sugar of the walking/camping shop industry reading this then TAKE YOUR SHOP AWAY before I plonk a TK MAX on top of your empire. :x

[Sheila P]

Well, I have heard that there is to be another walking shop opening soon, replacing a longstanding newagent/knicknak shop. I wonder how they all make money becuase business costs in Keswick are really high? The one out the back by the library hardly ever seems to have anyone in.

[GrumpyGirl]

It is ridiculous, yet another walking shop and what makes it worse is that in Keswick we need places like newsagents if only just to get our papers etc. Next they will be replacing Spar and such like with these places. It makes me thankful that we have the Co-op and Booths, at least they cater for everybody. I know of many young people with excellent business ideas, who would love to start their business in Keswick, but as a result of the big companies making their way up from the south, shops to buy or lease are so pricey that it makes it impossible. It's time for locals to stand ground and not let the fat cats take our smaller, much needed businesses.

[Guesthouseowner]

I'm not sure that we need any more outdoor retailers, either. But I do know that a lot of visitors come to Keswick because of the outdoor shops. They put money into the local economy, creating jobs etc. so it can't be all bad. What I don't like is having to travel out to Workington to buy underwear! The frilly knickers from that shop next to Booths are not exactly my style - the only retailer of men's underwear in Keswick is Woolworths!!

[Sheila P]

I was in the Roahn shop last week. They do mens underware. Not exactly cheap but it does have a designer label.

[JMCM]

Hi all,

Does anyone know how many newsagents there are in the town centre?

[Sheila P]

JMCM Wrote:Does anyone know how many newsagents there are in the town centre?

Including WHSmiths there are now just 3, since Dixons closed down to be replaced by a clothing shop.

[JMCM]

Hi Shiela P,

Does that figure include Woolworths too?

[Sheila P]

No, I did not include Woolies. But then they don't have the magazines I read.

[JMCM]

Sheila P,

Do you not think 4 newsagents is enough for the town centre or is it the fact that there are more and more clothing shops opening up?

[Sheila P]

No, there are enough newsagents. But there is space for more as there are four boarded up / closed shops now in Station Street, in the short stretch between what used to be Dixons and WHSmiths. And a clothing shop now closed down on the junction with St. John's street.