Two closures on Bellevue Road? Post Reply

[Annabel (admin)]

Hi Everyone
I've been told that very soon we'll have two shop closures on Bellevue Road, both citing escalating rents.

I understand that TIckled Pink and the Inside Man are both leaving the Wandsworth Common strip and if so will be sorely missed.

I hope it's not the case but they were pretty adamant it was happening.

[Bodders1]

Hi Annabel
I heard this too so I asked in Tickled Pink and they confirmed they will be closing in July when there is a break in their lease. They said they cannot afford the rent any longer. There is a notice up in the window of the Inside Man confirming they are closing. It is such a shame and I personally am so disappointed that Ticked Pink is going as I was when the bookshop closed. The situation seems to be being exacerbated by ridiculously high rents plus not enough business being generated. I have heard a few shopkeepers comment that there are not as many people buying from these shops as there once was. Not sure what can be done about it but as a local resident I do find it sad as the alternative will be empty shops, charity shops or estate agents.

[juliantenniscoach]

It's the continuing slow death of high street retail. What do you buy from local stores that you can't get cheaper online. After all I'm sitting at a PC right now. It's all too easy isn't it?

I'm as guilty as anyone. The only thing I buy on the high street are services such as haircuts, and clothes (not work). Other than coffee, meals, emergency Spar and Breadstall trips that's it. I would think that there are many with a similar shopping profile to me.

[Caferacer]

It's a huge shame.

Two more distinctive shops lost from Bellevue Road.

Slowly the ratchet turns and our neighbourhood becomes slowly more faceless and impersonal.

Tickled Pink were, amongst other things, a driving force behind the Bellevue Road Christmas Fair - it won't be the same without them . Local shops are so much more than just a place to buy things... when was the last time you had a nice chat with your parcel delivery driver?

The good news is that, as I understand, the Tickled Pink shop on Garratt Lane (just past Carlucios ) is thriving and will be around for a long time yet!

[Liz Sole]

The shops along Nightingale lane are also disappearing, first the Italian restaurant then the cafe and the kids pottery shop. What's going on??

[hopsky]

I will also miss Tickled Pink (I love having a chat with these ladies) and Inside Man was a great gift shop.

On a positive note two great places have opened on Bellvue Road recently:

Katie and Jo - a woman's clothing store with really cool clothes (similar the brands to the store Trilogy (Wimbledon, Marylebone and Sloane Square) carries).

AND, Flotsam and Jetsam - a cafe, breakfast, brunch place was packed to the brim on Saturday. There was a line for tables and dare I say it hipsters were present.

[EthicsOfEJ]

This is sad news, I looked at those shops when on my long search to find a shop where a Landlord would rent to a small business owner.

Here in Balham where my shop is, the footfall has been very poor, but did improve with the better weather the other week, so hope it continues to improve...

Have you not all bought things on-line that are not what you expected, smaller, cheaper looking, colour different to internet photo etc?

Come on, go for a stroll or drive and visit your local shops as seeing is believing with good quality products (like mine) after all!

[Motherslittlehelper]

Wandsworth council does not help with parking, charges - why would you pay c.£3 an hour (hopefully not them getting a ticket for overstaying) to go for a browse

Out of interest, how much is the rent for a shop like these ? I bet it's the major reason why London is so expensive.

[EthicsOfEJ]

The small shops available in Northcote Road this time last year were about £60k, the Bellevue Road ones were about £35k - same size as my shop or £25k for the tiny shop when I spent months trying to find a shop!

Here in Balham, not sadly next door to Waitrose which would be the idea spot (they have £50k premiums) my rent is £20k.....

I have free parking bays right by my shop, it makes no difference, people shop or they don't!

[Denwand]

It is a blow to the character of Bellevue, the Inside Man was a fantastic place to find presents for the man in your life (who are the most difficult to buy for) and Tickled Pink was a gem for those things you couldn't buy anywhere else( cards that were distinctive and fun for instance). The ladies who ran it were a mine of information and would come up with gift options I had never thought of. Try getting that service from those tax-dodgers at Amazon!!!

[dudette]

Such a shame. Part of the problem is the parking round there is so bad. And also as one great shop closes there is less footfall for the others. Tickled Pink was a great place for cards and gifts - not the sort of stuff you buy on Amazon (at least I don't). The small shops put in all the hard graft to make the area nice and then become victims of their own success by being forced out by high rents. Northcote Road is going the same way. It's really depressing.

[kittykat1]

Hi ladies
Just heard about Tickled pink, that's the saddest thing I have heard in a long time.
Love those girls and that shop is always great for an emergency card and present.
The world is gone mad, we all need to stop shopping from the click of a button and go out and socialise.
Is this what the world has become?
Dating, shopping, chatting, all this behind a computer screen
Is it any wonder that shops are a dying breed.
We moan at our teenage children for always been on their X
box and mobiles. Are we any better?
Good luck to Anna and the girls.
K

[OLIVIER'S LOUNGE]

Hi ladies,

I read the various posts and as a business owner on Bellevue rd I felt compelled to reply and give a bit more info.

Yes, I can confirm that sadly the businesses mentioned will be going in the not too distant future.This is definitely not good news for the road as Tickle Pink and The Inside Man have been present here for a long time and are a major part of what makes Bellevue rd different from other shopping streets as well as playing an active part in our community.
On a positive note we also have 2 new businesses that have opened recently bringing new energy to the road: a fab coffee house Flotsam and Jetsam and a trendy fashion shop Katie and Jo.

Small businesses are being driven out because of the high rents that we are having to pay, that do not reflect the tough current trading conditions (internet competition etc…) that we are now facing, as well as the extortionate business rates which again have not been reviewed for years to be in line with current market value. This makes it very hard for any small businesses to keep going specially for the last couple of years when the footfall has dropped substantially.

Yes, shopping on the internet is convenient. We are all doing it but as some of you mentioned I would hope that shopping on Bellevue rd offers an experience, a level of PERSONAL SERVICE, and SOCIAL ASPECT that you cannot get on the net and much more exciting!! We business owners all work very hard at being individual,distinctive and unique but we need YOU guys to keep us trading!

I agree that once upon a time parking on and around Bellevue rd was almost impossible but I can assure you that it is not the case any longer. Bays right in front of our shops are empty for hours on end and sometimes even on Saturday!
The good news is that at the request of the Bellevue rd association the Council has agreed to reduce the charging hours (on Bellevue rd only). As from the 25th of April charging will stop at 2pm instead of 4pm as a trial for a year.
This should allow you to come to the road for lunch pay for an hour and not having to worry about moving your car when shopping afterwards!

Most estate agents will sell properties in the area on the back of the "Bellevue Village" thriving community. The small independent businesses part of that community can ONLY survive if they are supported by their local people.
I have been working on the parade for 15 years now and I would hate to be walking down one day to realise that the only businesses left are estate agents and services/food related ones.

Sorry for this long post but like you I am upset about seeing 2 great shops go. I am very attached to this road and what it represents and would hate to see it change for the worse.
Thanks for reading,
Olivier

[gail0810]

Will the Inside Man continue to trade online? I have bought from the shop several times and always found it a great place to find a unique gift. And they are lovely in there. I once found a parcel in the road round the corner from the shop that a parcel force delivery man had dropped after collecting it from the store to deliver on to one of their online customers and they were so grateful they gave me some free chocolates.

Glad Tickeld Pink is staying in Ealrsfield, I shop there a lot as it's really convenient place and it's great for kids cards and lovely gifts too.

[RobertAlexander]

As the owner of The Inside Man, I can confirm that sadly after 10 years we will be relocating from Bellevue Road. We hope to be able to confirm details of our new shop very soon and will certainly let you all know. We will remain open on Bellevue Road while the landlord looks for a new tenant. Alternatively everything is available to buy on our website www.theinsideman.co.uk
We have loved being a part of the Bellevue Road community and we will certainly miss our lovely customers and all the other businesses. It was not a decision we made lightly but sadly footfall has continued to decline for many years now and in the last couple in particular it has become very slow indeed. As has been discussed rent is high and rates are ridiculous (they have risen 50% in 10 years compared to a 5% rent rise) however a substantial increase in people on the Road is required to really rejuvenate the area.
I would like to agree with Olivier that the independent businesses strive to offer a far more personal and social experience than any of the larger chains. It is also worth noting that more often than not you will be paying the same in your local shops these days as you would on most websites.
After calculating the cost of travel, fuel and parking etc, shopping locally is better value for money and time! According to a recent survey by American Express, house prices are boosted by thriving local businesses. It only takes 10% of spending to go to local independent businesses to create a significant impact in the area.

I would also like to confirm that while I will not be arranging the Summer Fair this year it will not mark the end of what has become a real highlight of the year. Hopefully the date and early details will be confirmed next week.
I hope you will excuse the long post but I feel very passionately about the Road, as both a business owner and local resident. Bellevue Road is undoubtedly one of London’s prettiest shopping parades and I sincerely hope it can become a vibrant shopping destination again. Hopefully the arrival of Katie and Jo and Flotsam and Jetsam can be the start of this.
Thank you all for your support over the last 10 years and hope to see many of you in our new shop.

Robert