Quote:
Originally Posted by garinda
I noticed on Graham Jone's blog you were protesting at the closure of the HSBC bank in Rishton, and petitioning to keep it open.
While that is laudable, ultimately any business that has the facts and figures which prove that a branch is no longer profitable as a going concern, would also arrive at a similar decision.
All retail outlets, whether selling designer handbags or financial services, are out to make a profit. That's a simple economic fact. They aren't in existence to provide a public service. They are there to put money into the pockets of their owners and/or shareholders.
Someone could start a petition to bring Prada, Gucci and Harvey Nichols to Accy's Broadway.
It'll never happen, because this area doesn't have the demographic to support mid market chains such as Karen Millen, Next etc, nevermind the luxury market end of the retail industry.
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I'll give you your dues, you've researched me well. However, if people aren't prepared to fight against things which are not in the best interests of their village, even if there is a reasonable chance of failure, it means more and more people are just going to roll over and meekly accept decisions which are detrimental to them. Whether or not the HSBC closes, it is a matter of principle and something we owe to the less mobile residents of Rishton.
As far as the luxury end of the market is concerned in Accrington, I don't remember seeing any of those chains outside massive retail parks such as the Trafford and Metro Centres. By your reckoning though, the people of Accrington form part of a demographic that cannot really afford the likes of Next, Debenhams or Marks and Spencer. Personally, I doubt that EVERYONE is that badly off but the choice of shops at the moment will hardly tempt anyone who wants to purchase items from those mid-to-high end stores. Preston was seemingly in much the same boat until fairly recently and yet...read my earlier post.
I would be interested to know how many Accy residents off these boards shop in Blackburn purely through a bigger choice of shops.