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02-03-2019, 04:11 PM
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The decades-old Neath Port Talbot businesses surviving the high street slump
Right now it is one of the toughest times for traders across the UK.
With the rise of online shopping and out of town retail parks, town centres are struggling and there are big holes in the high street. In Neath, leading*high street name Next closed its New Street store*in the town on Saturday, November 17, and, in January, we counted 26 empty shops in the town centre. Familiar names like Woolworths, BHS, and Dixons have all vanished since the start of the noughties. However, as some of the giants of the high street disappear, some long-standing businesses in Neath Port Talbot are bucking the trend and remaining strong. </p>  Pictured is Paul Reynolds, owner of Kickstart Motorcycles shop in Port Talbot (Image: Robert Melen) </p>  Kickstart Motorcycles shop in Port Talbot (Image: Robert Melen) * Kickstart Motorcycles, in Talbot Road, is one of those well-established businesses in Port Talbot, having been there since 1976. Owner Paul Reynolds said things weren’t easy for a lot of UK companies at the moment, which forced them to adapt. Read More * The 2008 economic crisis marked a before and after, Mr Reynolds continued, as people used to have a dozen credit cards and it was all about spending. “But things have changed since the recession so we have had to adapt,” he added. “For example, we have changed manufacturers. “An Italian 125cc motorcycle or a Japanese 125cc motorcycle is nearly £5,000, but a quality Chinese one is less than £2,000. “We no longer deal with the Italians and have gone down the route of the Chinese. “Then, we also have the other side of the coin with the Norton motorbikes, which are very exclusive.” </p>  (Image: Robert Melen) * Having been involved in motorbikes since the age of 16, he has accumulated a lot of experience and knowledge over the years – which isn’t something you can get from the internet, Mr Reynolds continued. “This is where the difference is – we have build a brand and a reputation,” he said. “It makes me feel 100 per cent proud but it is because of the knowledge we have accumulated that we are here. “However, we still have got to be aware and careful not to be complacent.” Read More * Electricals retailer V J Bailey, in Station Road, is another business that has been in the town for decades. Running for more than 50 years, they used to be in Talbot Road, but moved to Station Road eight years ago. Owner Wayne James said it was a quiet time of year, adding that the weather wasn’t helping at the moment. Watch Wayne James talk about his business:  Video Loading</p> Video Unavailable Click to play Tap to play The video will start in 8Cancel</p> Play now A problem for them was that people had the perception that online was always cheaper, he added, but that wasn’t always true. He said they could compete with prices and delivery, as well as offering a personal service. “We have adapted the business,” he continued. “We are still doing washing machines, dishwashers and fridge freezers. “Now, we are doing more such as built in appliances and, for the past ten years, we have been doing gas and electric fireplaces as well.” Read More * Mr James said they were now dealing with the fourth generations of some families as customers, adding that people were bringing their grandchildren in because they knew they would get a good service and they could be trusted. “We have customers that will leave us the key to their house,” the 56-year-old added. “People trust us we will do a good job.” </p>  Pictured is Wayne James, owner of V J Bailey in Port Talbot (Image: Robert Melen) * Keith Hopkins, owner of hairdressers Cut & Dried, has been in the Aberafan shopping centre since 1977. He said it was hard at the moment, as footfall was the biggest problem in the shopping centre, but they remain positive. He said: “It is difficult, but because we are long established and have a low turnover of staff, we are stable and the business isn’t under any threat. “Our reliability and low turnover of staff helps us immensely as we can repeat the same process for customers.” Read More * They were busy in the morning but not so much in the afternoon, he said, and would like to see the council offer free parking in the shopping centre in the afternoon after 3pm – like in Neath. “Neath Port Talbot Council are responsible for both towns, but they seem to be favouring Neath over Port Talbot,” he continued. “I would like to be treated the same as the people in Neath.” A Neath Port Talbot council spokesman said that* the free after three initiative was run by the Neath Business Improvement District (Neath Inspired). </p>  Owner Andrew Brown, of Browns electrical service engineers, in Angel Street (Image: Jonathan Myers) </p>  Brown’s in Neath (Image: Jonathan Myers) Over in Neath, Browns electrical service engineers, in Angel Street, is a family business established in 1962. Owner Andrew Brown said some people still had their appliances – such as tumble dryers or vacuum cleaners – repaired. “We are the only ones in Neath that have a shop like this,” he said. “We have a lot of loyal customers and they pass the word on. “Over the years, we have built a reputation and that is something that online shopping doesn’t offer. “We offer a personal touch.” Read More * Mr Brown said they now found quite a lot of people bought parts online which turned out to be the wrong ones so they had to go to the shop anyway. </p>  Aasif Iqbal, owner of the Bluebell hotel, said they are changing their restaurant downstairs to adapt to what the market wants (Image: Jonathan Myers) </p>  A view of the Bluebell Hotel (Image: Jonathan Myers) Finding their unique selling point was also key for Aasif Iqbal, owner of the Bluebell hotel in The Parade. He said it had been great since they opened in 2009 as there was nothing like them in the town. “It is a very high quality hotel with boutique bedrooms,” he said. “We have our own defined market and, in Neath, there is nothing that compares with the standard we have.” Read More * He didn’t think Neath was dying and, as new places opened, they had to take a step back and change the food they offered to be different, especially as they didn’t benefit from footfall. From February 8, the hotel will have an Indian fusion restaurant downstairs, Spirit ‘n’ Spice. Mr Iqbal said: “The reason we keep going is because we redefine ourselves and we offer what the market wants. “The market is evolving and you have to adapt to the needs of the market.” </p>  Mair Sheasby, of The Round House cafe, who has been in Castle street for 28 years (Image: Jonathan Myers) </p>  One of the homemade cheesecakes on offer at The Round House cafe (Image: Jonathan Myers) </p>  The Round House cafe (Image: Jonathan Myers) Mair Sheasby, of The Round House cafe, has been in Castle street for 28 years and believed business was good for them because they tried to offer something different from everyone else. She said: “I do more traditional kind of food and have quite a regular clientele. “We try to offer good value for money – I don’t buy second rate produce, but I am not expensive, I don’t think.” Source link More ??????? ??????: The decades-old Neath Port Talbot businesses surviving the high street slump || ??????: ahlam1399 || ??????: اسم منتداك
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