Midland chandlers - Store closures?

[smiler]

I much prefer old fashioned service when buying stuff. I want to see, measure and/or feel the item before purchasing.

I did have a problem a while ago in an old fashioned hardware store, trying to find a new handle for my garden fork though. 😉

[IanD]

10 minutes ago, Wafi said:

Modern slavery is the other one - apparently an issue with some nail bars.

 

I found a barbers that's run by a young guy who's very obviously into cutting hair, running/growing a business and applying his own distinctive branding; the people working there seem like a bunch of 20-something mates. Seems unlikely someone would go to that effort to disguise a money laundering business, and it always feels good to support young entrepreneurs.

That barbers may be genuine, but it's also exactly the kind of business that has been found to be a front for money-laundering, members of gangs and drug dealers are often 20-somethings.

 

There's no easy way to tell for sure, but one clue is if there are few customers but the shop is still there a year later not having gone bust... 😉 

 

i imagine if you're genuinely a young person trying to make a success of your own business it must be very frustrating to have accusations like this bandied around -- but unfortunately there have been many cases where such businesses did turn out to be fronts for criminals, so you get tarred with the same brush... 😞 

 

3 minutes ago, smiler said:

I much prefer old fashioned service when buying stuff. I want to see, measure and/or feel the item before purchasing.

I did have a problem a while ago in an old fashioned hardware store, trying to find a new handle for my garden fork though. 😉

The problem is that you're one of a small and shrinking minority, and there aren't enough yous to keep the businesses you like open... 😞 

Edited February 13 by IanD

[Wafi]

One of the best things about the Braunston shop is the ability to moor and wind outside. That means I can generally convince myself that when I'm in Ventnor Marina and need a tin of paint or a pack of olives, it'll be easier to go to there by boat than it will be to take the car...

[IanD]

14 minutes ago, Alan de Enfield said:

[snip]

 

I have used EVRI on every possible occasion for both sales of things and purchases, they are the best courier.

Being 'out in the wilds' the other couriers (Yodel and DPD in particular) tend to say "you dont exist", "we cannot find you" and leave the parcel at the nearest Post Office, send a message and tell me to go and collect it myself 

 

Anecdotes are not evidence -- Evri were the worst for the third year in a row according to a recent Ofcom survey... 😉 

 

https://www.ofcom.org.uk/post/deliveries-and-charges/best-and-worst-parcel-firms-for-customer-satisfaction-revealed-2025

Edited February 13 by IanD

[Alan de Enfield]

9 minutes ago, smiler said:

I much prefer old fashioned service when buying stuff. I want to see, measure and/or feel the item before purchasing.

I did have a problem a while ago in an old fashioned hardware store, trying to find a new handle for my garden fork though. 😉

 

Did they think you wanted something to help in the power-cuts ?

[smiler]

1 minute ago, Alan de Enfield said:

 

Did they think you wanted something to help in the power-cuts ?

Yes, it got even worse when I asked for a pee. 😁

[Alan de Enfield]

1 minute ago, smiler said:

Yes, it got even worse when I asked for a pee. 😁

 

Was his name Bob?

Sorry wrong programme !

Edited February 13 by Alan de Enfield

[Laurie Booth]

35 minutes ago, billh said:

Genuine question: what are the indicators that a shop is being used for money laundering? I would much prefer not to give them my custom but I do have to visit eg barbers shop , numerous  of which have recently opened  around here.

Money laundering is extremely good for the British economy.

[IanD]

6 minutes ago, Laurie Booth said:

Money laundering is extremely good for the British economy.

Well, one particular sector of it... 😉 

 

And in the UK (and Italy and Spain...) the criminal economy is included in GDP calculations, so you're right. I wonder if this inclusion is linked to the number of criminal convictions of MPs? 😉 

Edited February 13 by IanD

[GUMPY]

Just been looking through my last few online purchases and wondering if I could get them locally.

Answer is about 25% would be available locally, and 5% at a comparable price.

 

I have yet to find a local shop selling RJ45 cat 6 connectors, MOV or SSR, nor one that sells 8" Apilco plates (that was hard enough on the internet) 😱

 

[Tonka]

So do you go to ASAP supplies or Midland chandlers online who are both owned by the same company.

 

Is Uxbridge Boat Company chandlery still there 

[Tony Brooks]

48 minutes ago, Mike Tee said:

It would be interesting to know what proportion of their present sales are via the Internet- that could well be the reason for the decision. Business rates and maintenance, staff costs etc all add up multiplied by the number of stores, but don't expect the saving will be passed on!

 

I also wonder about how they account for the premises. At least one boat builder was finished by taking the advice of his accountants to sell the premises and lease them back, I understand.

[IanD]

8 minutes ago, Tonka said:

So do you go to ASAP supplies or Midland chandlers online who are both owned by the same company.

 

Is Uxbridge Boat Company chandlery still there 

It was last time I visited before Xmas...

[David Mack]

I recall that when Midland Chandlers closed their Penkridge branch (the original one that started the business), the premises soon reopened under a new name looking much the same as the old MC. They probably buy much of their stock from Aquafax too. How do they make a success of that location where MC couldn't?

[IanD]

Just now, David Mack said:

I recall that when Midland Chandlers closed their Penkridge branch (the original one that started the business), the premises soon reopened under a new name looking much the same as the old MC. They probably buy much of their stock from Aquafax too. How do they make a success of that location where MC couldn't?

The same way all those dodgy new barbers do? 😉 

[Lily Rose]

 

 

1 minute ago, David Mack said:

the premises soon reopened under a new name looking much the same as the old MC

 

🤞 that happens with Braunston too.

 

I won't hold my breath though.

[Tonka]

10 minutes ago, IanD said:

The same way all those dodgy new barbers do? 😉 

They shave your beard?

[SLC]

Our boat is moored just up from Braunston and to have MC so close was ever so convenient. On several occasions I have been able to complete a job on the same day because of their close proximity.

A bit selfish perhaps because people have lost jobs, some of whom may live on the network. However, I am sure the increases in taxation and business rates hasn't helped and a Government that is anti-business doesn't help.

[Rob-M]

It's handy being able to stop outside MC when you are purchasing a long boat pole or a new fridge or new cooker and can just tie up and collect.  Far more difficult buying online, having it delivered to home or asking nicely in the marina if you can get it delivered there.

[Speedwheel]

2 hours ago, David Mack said:

I recall that when Midland Chandlers closed their Penkridge branch (the original one that started the business), the premises soon reopened under a new name looking much the same as the old MC. They probably buy much of their stock from Aquafax too. How do they make a success of that location where MC couldn't?

 

"Success"...... their Companies House financial statements don't look overly rosy.

 

Hopefully things have picked up for them though. 

Edited February 13 by Speedwheel

[LadyG]

3 hours ago, Laurie Booth said:

Money laundering is extremely good for the British economy.

Its pretty obvious which are laundering, they are all foreigners, and premises look very similar.

There tends to be three shops fairly close to each other. The staff and the customers look foreign.

Edited February 13 by LadyG

[matty40s]

2 hours ago, Lily Rose said:

 

 

 

🤞 that happens with Braunston too.

 

I won't hold my breath though.

Just go to Whilton, run by former Midland Swindlers Braunston chap Jim....you can get a decent breakfast next door too.

[IanD]

5 minutes ago, LadyG said:

Its pretty obvious which are laundering, they are all foreigners, and premises look very similar.

There tends to be three shops fairly close to each other. The staff and the customers look foreign.

Except for the ones who aren't. There are plenty of white British criminals and drug dealers too, dontcha know? 😉 

[Lily Rose]

7 minutes ago, matty40s said:

Just go to Whilton, run by former Midland Swindlers Braunston chap Jim....you can get a decent breakfast next door too.

 

That would be a car trip from the marina though. I pass MC a lot in the boat but the same can't be said for Whilton. Last time was nearly 10 years ago.

[matty40s]

6 minutes ago, IanD said:

Except for the ones who aren't. There are plenty of white British criminals and drug dealers too, dontcha know? 😉 

Depends on who you vote for....

3 hours ago, Alan de Enfield said:

 

I have used EVRI on every possible occasion for both sales of things and purchases, they are the best courier.

Being 'out in the wilds' the other couriers (Yodel and DPD in particular) tend to say "you dont exist", "we cannot find you" and leave the parcel at the nearest Post Office, send a message and tell me to go and collect it myself 

 

 

We are out in the sticks, and Evri/Hermes are by far the worst. Cardboard boxes chucked over the entrance gates at 9pm when its raining,....or delivered 2 miles away(when the people are honest enough to drop it in)

Their customer service is woeful and even their UK top man wouldnt listen.