The Glassworks

Yes, I thought WH Smiths might have been tempted back, particularly into the Alhambra. I also thought Waterstones might be interested.

 

Waterstones and Smith's are the same company but Waterstones only really open in University towns

 

Didn't know that, but Waterstones have shops in many non-university towns.

 

Beat me to that one

 

"Oh it's all gone quiet on the bridge, all gone quiet on the bridge..."

 

Now the announcement has been made I can tell you. It’s going to be a ‘Cruise’ instead.

 

TGIs and River Island been announced too now

https://bdaily.co.uk/articles/2022/...names-to-be-part-of-barnsleys-the-glass-works

 

These official announcements are always way behind which is quite frustrating. Fair enough the solicitors negotiations take time, but when occupiers are recruiting and applying for premises licenses you have to assume the lettings are complete.

I’m hearing a ‘large pub chain’ are in negotiations for the biggest unit underneath Cineworld. A Slug and Lettuce would probably do well in town.

 

What's the difference between cruise and flannels? I've googled but can't work it out

 

There isn’t much difference really. Cruise doesn’t feature as many high-end brands. The stores are very similar interiors to Flannels. It’s basically a way of keeping the Flannels name prestige and exclusive. If they start opening in every small town some of the high-end brands would probably pull out.

 

I don’t think it’s JDW and think it will be more of a bar/restaurant than typical ‘pub’ which is why I immediately thought of Stonegate and Slug and Lettuce. Although I wouldn’t be surprised at a Harvester either!

 

Totally. I think that’s why BMBC are doing what they can to bring a bit more life into the town in the evenings. I think a 13-screen cinema is too big for Barnsley too tbh.

From what I hear the rates are quite decent and come with a number of incentives.

 

Not fussed about flannels most expensive shop on earth.
Been in the one in Meadowhall won,t go in again much better when it was house of Fraser.

 

I wonder whether this was Ashley's plan all along. Barnsley council offered him a rent free deal in return for bringing in the big name of flannels so he took it and when he held all the cards he forced them to accept a lesser named brand instead.

 

Much better when it was house of fraser before he filled it with USC and sports direct crap

 

I doubt that. They’ve really gone up a gear with Flannels and opened a number of flagship stores in big cities over the last 12 months. I think they just want to to protect that. They’re more likely to rebrand some of the smaller Flannels as Cruise tbh.

 

I’d heard a rumour they were considering taking the old Debenhams unit in Meadowhall and opening that as a ‘Frasers’ - basically their new concept for House of Fraser.

 

I just don't trust a thing that guy does. I'm actually glad we got cruise not flannels because I think flannels as a brand will fail and fold pretty quickly. I hope we don't get a stupid cocktail bar in the middle of the shop like meadowhall have. That's one of the stupidest ideas I've ever seen