What shops/services would we like on the High Street?

by **Gordon Mackenzie** » 26 Jan 2010, 15:34

Inspired by the thread about what people in Porty would like in the way of a food shop, I wondered if we couldn’t expand the idea to encourage more of the kind of shops people want to the High St.

Perhaps the Community Council could conduct a survey of what kind of shops people would actually use and how often, what kind of goods in services they would rather not have to go into to town for, whether or not they would be prepared to pay slightly more for local convenience. etc etc. This could then all be put into a presentation pack with some additional stats about Porty, number of residents, demographic breakdown, average income ranges perhaps (?), number of visitors from other parts etc, and perhaps a list of empty shop properties in Porty and their respective estate agents.

These packs could then be published on the internet, given to the Evening news with a press release, and perhaps even sent to the kind of businesses which come top of the survey and which are operating elsewhere with an invitation to consider opening a new branch in Portobello. With some of the initial market research already done and an indication of public demand, they might well consider it. It wouldn’t be too expensive to do, and it could introduce a bit of people power into the High St and encourage a bit of new growth in the town.
What do you think?

Here are a few ideas for starters: (let me know if they already exist and I just haven’t noticed!)

1. A shoe repair and keycutting place ( Could be a concession in an existing shop)
2. A really good toy shop. There are loads of young families who live or regularly visit here, and we are by the seaside after all! Perhaps also selling kids books.
3. A shoe shop.
4. A selection of boutique clothes shops.
5. A photography studio for taking pix of all those kids and for selling nice postcards and pictures of Porty.
6. A book shop.

by **Puerto bella** » 26 Jan 2010, 17:55

A dry cleaners

by **Pal of Porty** » 26 Jan 2010, 18:06

Many of the shop types you mention have been in Porty at some time during my years here but have eventually dwindled away with the growth of the supermarkets, large multiples and the internet. We do have some some of your suggestions already though:

The wool shop at the top of Marlborough Street does magic shoe repairs - they send them away to a proper cobbler and it generally only takes a couple of days.

Home Hardware (Mica) cut keys and I have always found them to do a really good job.

I am amazed that we do not even merit a dry cleaners anymore.

by **Gordon Mackenzie** » 26 Jan 2010, 18:57

Top tip about the wool shop.

The hardware shop is a fantastic local shop - I'm in it all the time and try to use it in preference to B&Q etc. - I should have known they do keys.

I've thought of another one. A healthy foods supermarket, like Realfoods in Broughton St, which never seems to be empty.

by **Epykat** » 26 Jan 2010, 22:15

by **Bob Jefferson** » 26 Jan 2010, 23:15

by **Grunk** » 27 Jan 2010, 13:52

by **Porty** » 27 Jan 2010, 17:35

by **Sandra** » 27 Jan 2010, 21:48

by **Lima** » 27 Jan 2010, 22:20

by **SoupDragon** » 27 Jan 2010, 23:00

by **Maria** » 28 Jan 2010, 11:17

by **westbank** » 28 Jan 2010, 22:52

by **wangi** » 28 Jan 2010, 22:58

Off licence open till 10pm (I really like in Musselburgh and Portobello, but 9pm closing?)

Shops open after 5pm...

by **Pal of Porty** » 29 Jan 2010, 10:55

by **Grunk** » 29 Jan 2010, 18:13

Costa or Nero, Starbucks is wrong

by **cornerboy** » 08 Feb 2010, 17:37

by **cornerboy** » 08 Feb 2010, 17:41

by **Sandra** » 08 Feb 2010, 20:57

by **Lima** » 09 Feb 2010, 14:38

Having had coffee in both the Mei Lee and Blue Bean I would welcome a Costa, Nero or even a Starbucks.

Not sure if I had a poorly trained Barrista or someone having a bad day but in Mei Lee the large cup was pretty small, not full and not that hot. The Blue Bean cafe, again the cup was not big enough - close to the the size of a medium in starbucks or costa (maybe slightly under) and the milk was burnt thus ruining my coffee. I now prefer to go along to popeyes or Izzys, not tried Kitcheners, will pop in there soon.

by **Pal of Porty** » 09 Feb 2010, 16:22

Lima, I must say that your experiences are pretty similar to mine although I have yet to coffee in Izzy's or Popeye's. Kitchener's used to do black coffee with a lovely crema on top but it is now so hit and miss that I hardly bother going anymore. There is definitely a skill to making the coffee properly so your experience can often boil down to which member of staff actually serves you.

My favourite for some time has been the Starbucks cafe Estima brew which is also faitrade certified.

What shops/services would we like on the High Street?

What shops/services would we like on the High Street?

shops we need

Who is online