Forum Topic

W H Smith

Fortunately for Chiswick there is a post office nearby the store. In Ealing it's enclosed so the possible sell off is more of a problem. I use the W4 store for cards as the Paperchase went a while ago. It always seems to be stuck in the past with shelves that just don't seem to have what I want. Possibly the bosses decided some while ago that it's just not worth the hassle as their money is to be made at transport hubs/airports.

peter king ● 66d14 Comments

The ability to browse the magazine rack and buy one that has an article of interest is not something that can be done online or in many other retailers.........................................While the ability to browse the magazine rack and *not* buy one, is probably the reason for the dimmed lights.A proud tradition going back years of course. I can remember regularly checking the performance table in the back of  "Autocar"; just to confirm that the 0-60 figure for the E-Type Jag was still 4.2 and it was still top dog. That would have been the Mk 1 presumably.A rare visit 60 odd years later, showed nothing had really changed. Except maybe that the carpets were a bit stickier.michael adams   

Michael Adams ● 56d

It is starting to stand out like a sore thumb but where would they sort mail if it closed for redevelopment? I thought the upper floor of the Chiswick PO which was used to sort is no longer occupied by the Royal Mail.

Mark Evans ● 57d

Meanwhile the sorting office in Bollo Lane looks increasingly ripe for redevelopment as new blocks of flats rise around it.

Peter Evans ● 64d

I didn't hear anything about a meeting.A postie told me some years ago that the Post Office would close because they had sold the building and the lease they retained was coming up for expiry. The delivery office was due to shut first but this was retained due to resistance from the unions and worries about quality of service if everything moved to Bollo Lane. I think I am right in saying there is no sorting done anymore at Chiswick.I believe the proposal was for a cultural quarter incorporating the Sanderson museum, the Drill Hall and the Town Hall brought together by a new mansion block on the post office site perhaps with a theatre on the ground floor. However, I can't recall who put forward this plan and I don't know if it is still under consideration.

Anita Blake ● 64d

The Post Office redevelopment appears to have gone quiet but perhaps they are waiting for the planning regulations bonfire that Labour is promising before moving ahead. If so we could get a sudden rush of announcements including on what is happening with Sainsbury's. There was apparently an online meeting organised by Hounslow Council Tuesday night about visions for the future of Chiswick Town Centre. As an Ealing borough resident I suppose I shouldn't expect to be notified but did anyone else hear about it/attend?

Mark Evans ● 65d

Forgot about Ryman's.

Janice Evans ● 65d

It may not sell Private Eye (probably for fear of being caught up in one of their many lawsuits for libel) but it still sells a wide range of magazines catering for many different interests which would be harder to find if it wasn't there. The ability to browse the magazine rack and buy one that has an article of interest is not something that can be done online or in many other retailers.

Richard Greenhough ● 65d

Ryman's?

Bruce Hammal ● 65d

When Staples closed it was the only place left to get office supplies other than on-line, although Smiths had limited range.

Janice Evans ● 65d

Forever to be known to Eye readers as W.H. Smug.Smith's is a mystifying shop these days, a sort of retail twilight zone. I'm astonished it has lasted as long as it has.

Bruce Hammal ● 65d

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/long_reads/whsmith-worst-uk-shop-true-retail-travel-airport-magazine-train-station-a8375991.htmlI have disliked WH Smith for much of my life, starting with it's refusal to stock (or I think distribute it via is distribution arm) Private Eye for many years.Now it seems a horrible mess. I thought when I went last year to the Chiswick shop it seemed to be reinventing itself as a poor imitation of Woolworths

Guy Lambert ● 65d

I checked this out on Google and it states that the post offices will remain when the premises are sold, not sure how that works.

Janice Evans ● 66d

I assume part of the post office redevelopment plan was to move it into the WH Smiths.  Now what's the plan?!  WH Smiths' high street shops have increasingly looked as if time has passed them by and ceased to be much of a 'destination', so it's no surprise that their owners want to get rid of them.

Peter Evans ● 66d

The company have said that the post office counters will remain open after any sale of a high street store but how they can guarantee that isn't clear. They must be presuming that this is a relatively attractive part of the operation that any buyer but it sounds like you will probably be okay in Ealing.I've always been surprise that the Chiswick branch kept going as they seemed to have a policy of dimming the lights which made it a bit unwelcoming but the staff were always really nice so perhaps that has helped it hang on. Now with the new Mega-Greggs next door it must have seen increased footfall.

Anita Blake ● 66d