Are you pleased that a W H Smith is opening on Belle Vue in Bude in August? Good for the town or would you prefer something with more of a local flavour? Tell us what you think here.........

By BudePeeps at 16:27 on 26/07/11

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Comment from Jane on FB: Hope it doesn't affect our lovely Spencer Thorn's.......btw, the W H Smith (currently being shop-fitted) is seeking part-time weekend staff for 4 hour shifts. Sign in window says opening date is 16th August. Jobs: contact Clare Boyter 01566 773143

By BudePeeps at 17:01 on 26/07/11
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I am sure the proprietors of the other book/newspaper shops will disagree with me but it would be good to have another real shop in the town, rather than the continuing proliferation of surf shops, charity shops and cafes.

It will introduce an element of competition into retail book sales but I hope that the opening of W H Smith does not mean the demise of one of the other similar outlets (I, too, think Spencer Thorn's is a lovely shop!)

By old_school at 18:00 on 26/07/11
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Competition will benefit Bude residents with lower prices.

By robbo2009 at 19:49 on 26/07/11
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Mixed views on this. Spencer Thorns is a great shop and in a different league from WHS - so there should be room for both.

And while I agree with OldSchool that it's better than surf shops, charity shops and cafes (and estate agents!) it's another branch of a National chain rather than a local independent.

Being selfish, it will be useful when my Daily Telegraph tells me that there is a freebie that can only be claimed by going to a WHS! (As long as they don't expect me to buy the paper from them; it's Flexbury Stores for me.)

Most importantly, it's better than empty premises.

By John_Gimson at 21:32 on 26/07/11
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Come on people. Spencer Thorne will happily order you any book you wish. When I enquired about a specialist magazine (no, not that kind) at Candy Shop a while back (although under different owners) they were happy to order it if I wished, and Toymaster has a great selection of magazines too.

What is WHSmiths really going to offer other than :

a) loss-leading undercutting of Spencer Thorne on popular book titles

b) needless competition to our independent newsagents

The idea that it will offer 'competition' to local booksellers is laughable. Nobody can compete on price with WHS, other than the internet or other similarly huge chains. I find it highly unlikely just another WHS can compete though on customer service, local flavour and individuality.

I'm not against chains in Bude per se, just when it offers absolutely nothing our existing independent retailers don't already.

If you consider heavily discounted prices on a few topselling books a major selling point, please, please wake up to the fact that a few pounds here and there off a book you'd likely find in the charity shop in a few months anyway is a ridiculous price to pay for sacrificing the individuality of our town.

For the record I am not affiliated to Spencer Thorne :) I was brought to Bude by my wife a few years ago, love the town and it's character, and came from Croydon. So believe me, I know how chains can strip a town of it's individuality.

By Lunamedia at 00:18 on 27/07/11
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A fb comment suggests the notice is bogus, which it may be. A shame in a way as Bideford has a W H Smith, and Bude could do with a little more variety of shop. Not sure why anyone would bother creating a bogus sign but hey.......we shall see!

By BudePeeps at 06:15 on 27/07/11
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Correct me if I'm wrong but I believe WH Smith use to have a shop on the old Bude railway station. You can't argue that having Smiths back in Bude will offer some jobs, albeit low paid and mainly part time. They'll also stock a few products that are not currently available in Bude and, of course, they'll take an otherwise empty shop.
Like other posters I'd prefer it if we saw a shop offering something different and not in direct competition with existing businesses - but we don't get to make that decision. We do decide where we buy our books, greeting cards, newspapers and so on. If we support existing businesses and they respond with good service and the products we want then there may well be room for all.
I don't see having WH Smith in Bude representing any real economic development but nor do I see it as some sort of corporate take over of the town.

By kevincolwill at 07:40 on 27/07/11
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