PUBLISHED: 12:02 12 March 2019 | UPDATED: 12:02 12 March 2019 James Carr Duncan Adams, who owns Dunx Cycles in High Street, Lowestoft, has revealed the struggles facing independent businsses. Photo: James Carr. Archant An independent high street trader has revealed he is earning less than half the minimum wage as he battles against national chains and crippling taxes. Last month, Dunx Cycles - in High Street, Lowestoft - renewed the five year lease at its town centre location. While the news should be cause for celebration amid the seemingly weekly closures of businesses in the town - this is not the reality. “For me it’s no big accomplishment because I haven’t made any money”, admitted owner Duncan Adams, “I’m just hanging in there; common sense would say just to leave.”In recent weeks RopeWorks bar, along with Claire’s and The Body Shop have closed, while Beales department store will close at the end of the … [Read more...] about ‘I would love to earn minimum wage’: Independent high street store reveals struggles and future plans
High street stores
Suffolk and Essex High Street stores kept afloat by rates relief for small businesses
PUBLISHED: 10:33 06 February 2019 Jessica Hill Braintree High Street, Picture: Braintree District Council Archant Cash-strapped town centre stores that are buckling under the weight of outgoings are being offered some help by councils in Suffolk and north Essex - but is it a case of ‘closing the gate when the horse has already bolted?’. Braintree District Council is the latest council to announce plans to cut business rates, and the cabinets of Mid Suffolk and Babergh district councils are also set to back the new discretionary business rate reduction scheme, which could mean one third off bills for retail and other businesses across the two districts.Local independent retailers in these districts could benefit from a slice of around £800,000 in business rate relief, which was announced by central government in the Autumn budget. The proposals comes at a time when high street stores are in fierce competition with online traders. Many … [Read more...] about Suffolk and Essex High Street stores kept afloat by rates relief for small businesses
The BizQuiz: High street woes continue as Banham Poultry reveals £41m owed before buyout
PUBLISHED: 12:56 09 November 2018 | UPDATED: 13:27 09 November 2018 Banham Poultry signs. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY Archant The business headlines this week were full of the aftermath from last week’s Budget, accompanied by the now-common news of high street store closures, and consumer spending fears. It was revealed that the East of England were one of the areas worst hit by high street store closures, and with profit falls announced by Saisbury’s and Halfords this week, the picture isn’t looking to change soon. Norfolk suppliers to Banham Poultry had a similarly distressing week with the news that near £41m was owed to creditors before the company was bought in a pre-pack administration. Suppliers have told the EDP they fear they won’t see any of their money or goods returned. If you haven’t seen the headlines this week, here’s your business round up: • Banham Poultry owed £41m to creditors before sale, report shows Norfolk … [Read more...] about The BizQuiz: High street woes continue as Banham Poultry reveals £41m owed before buyout
Iceland to open new store on Hounslow High Street
Iceland is to open a new store on Hounslow High Street next year. The discount-supermarket chain, which already has a store on the High Street, will be opening an additional branch in 2019. The new store will open in the first three months of next year and will open where Poundworld, which closed in the summer, used to be. Poundworld closed all of its stores across the country after administrators were appointed in June. The business hired consultancy firm Deloitte to manage its accounts and find a buyer - however this was largely unsuccessful. Frozen food specialist Iceland agreed in principle in August to take on 19 empty Poundworld stores, and the Hounslow branch is one of these. A spokesman for Iceland told us: "We will be opening an additional Iceland store in Hounslow High Street in the first quarter of 2019. "This is one of 19 stores we have acquired from the administrators of Poundworld." When questioned about the future of the existing Iceland store on the High Street, the … [Read more...] about Iceland to open new store on Hounslow High Street
Store that was damaged in ram raid returns to its village High Street home
PUBLISHED: 18:15 30 October 2018 Jessica Hill Representatives from the local community including the Duchy Barn, Dedham Parish Council and Dedham C of E Primary School, and East of England Co-op colleagues. PHOTOGRAPH BY DANIEL JONES Daniel Jones An East of England Co-op store that was almost completely destroyed last December in a ram raid attack has reopened after spending ten months operating in a barn. Local residents eagerly awaited the reopening of the new look East of England Co-op store in Dedham today.The store had been closed for the past 10 months whilst extensive repair work was carried out to restore the listed building, which was damaged during the devastating ram raid last Christmas season. With the support of the local community, the East of England Co-op found a temporary home for the store in the Duchy Barn, located behind Dedham Parish Church off the High Street. Roger Grosvenor, Joint Chief Executive for the East of England Co-op, … [Read more...] about Store that was damaged in ram raid returns to its village High Street home