Empty shop next to White Stuff LL

[eccentric]

I notice the shop adjacent to the double White Stuff unit on LL is under offer, anyone know who to?

I know the asking was ?32,500 PA plus a premium. These rents are now getting up near central London levels. I think the inevitable influx of the big boys is about to wash over LL.

[macroban]

We discussed this on 2007-06-15:

> This would bring the fixed costs (before employing staff and variable overheads such as electricty) up to about ?41,000 pa requiring a gross profit of ?82 per square foot pa just to meet the fixed costs

I still can't think of any local type independent retailer who could meet these costs and break even.

[monica]

Thought it was supposed to be a shoe shop,must have fallen through

[Louisa]

I have been on the White Stuff website and used the contact details to try and figure out what the deal is with the corner unit. Lets see what happens.

[Muttley]

Just been out doing errands out on LL. You can get a good peek inside White Stuff, round the side - it has a patterned back wall with a centred fireplace. Had a brief conversation with a nearby retailer who was also taking a look:

Me:"When will it open?"

Him: "Two weeks. It will be good for the shops here because it is different."

Me: "What about the shop next to it?"

Him: "I hear it's going to be a gift shop. And the shop on the roundabout will be a gift shop, too. Too many gift shops".

[i nod in agreement]. Me: "What about Foxtons?"

Him: "One month."

So there we have it, some gossip hot off the presses. Trust it as much as you trust any gossip on this site.

[TJS]

Nice work for sharing the knowledge Muttley

[Jah Lush]

Yeah! Thanks Muttley...*groans, not more pointless bloody gift shops.*

[TJS]

Agree with too many gift shops - but anything is better than an empty shop (within reason) and i can think of worse!!

[bald marauder]

sheesh - I'd rather have another poncey coffee shop (or book shop or record shop) than yet one more pointless, tacky gift shop - who buys all these frickin' gifts anyway?!

[Rolo Tomasi]

Agree with you all that we don?t need yet another gift shop. I?d really like to see a record shop (good call marauder) or if a suitable unit became available maybe a Branch of Hell?s Pizza on LL.

[Louisa]

But what independent gift shop is going to be able to afford the high rents at that location?

[Jah Lush]

Quite right Louisa and especially with the competition of the other gift shops on the Strip.

[bald marauder]

Do you think 'gift shop' is a cover for something far more sinister?

[Jah Lush]

Oh I'd like to think so but I rather doubt it. It does beggar belief though where on earth they find the money to pay the rents when all they are selling is worthless tat. Give me a new record/music shop any day PLEASE.

[Rolo Tomasi]

What with the Cocaine factory and the Weed house already unearthed in ED it wouldn?t surprise me at all BM!

[Asset]

have I missed something in re. this cocaine factory you are talking about? what's the scoop?

[Jah Lush]

Are you being facetious Asset? Actually, there is a thread on a local "Cocaine factory" being shut down.

[Asset]

not being facetious - truly missed it. will search thread.

[Jah Lush]

Sorry, I just thought White stuff - cocaine factory...oh please yourself.

[Tom]

Too many gift shops??

I had to buy a 'gift' on saturday for my 29 yr old sister.

It was impossible to find something interesting, stylish and usefull at the ?50-60 mark.

She ended up with Dr Boo stuff and booze. All I wanted was something for the house / lifestyle, but the shops on LL are so small they only sell shitty little knick nacks. Picture frames, fluffy things, shoes for the disabled (Crocs I think they are called) novelty moroccan tea glasses, really duff jewellery etc. Then - ?200 for a DAB radio, ?70 for a pot plant (bush really), ?1000 for a venitian painting.

I say bring on the gift shops - just stock something usefull and interesting in them. The gift shop is usefull - just wish it was Oliver Bonas who at least has some nice stuff and changes stock regularly.

[SeanMacGabhann]

These shops always remind me of Tamsin Greig's character in Black Books. She runs a similar shop and can't figure out what one of the objects actually is... in a solitary moment she holds it aloft, examines it and proclaims "I really do sell some WANK, don't I"?

[Ultraconsultancy]

Bald Marauder - coming sooner than you think if I can help it!

[bald marauder]

Cool Ultraconsultancy!

BTW have you been to the new Rough Trade shop in the Truman Brewery? Just called in on my lunch break, and it looks like a great space, CD's, loads of (new) vinyl - it's amazing what's being re-released on vinyl these days. Plus they have a cafe, and a 'snug' with sofas and free wi-fi. Now if ED could have a more compact version of that...

[susyp]

all this time i had thought the white stuff shop was that interior designer type shop with lots of lovely white goods. now i've realised it's going to be a trendy clothes shop???? which i suppose east dulwich does lack.

[SeanMacGabhann]

I think "trendy" is pushing it but people who denigrate it are being a bit harsh. Yes it's possible to buy things in there that make you look embarrasing but it will be a shop that sells a range of jeans, shirts, t shirts, skirts and dresses at affordable prices (not wage-slavery primark prices - but affordable to many in ED)

Which despite the efforts of ED the shop is something we don't have on LL so I'm ok with this one