Guest 679- Registered: 7 Sep 2008
- Posts: 162
What's this I see they're closed today? Please someone tell me that this is a one off and they haven't closed down??
I know a million ways to always pick the wrong thing to say
If indeed Paynes has gone, it could be another step towards the CoC changing their acronym to ConC (Chamber of No Commerce).
Guest 690- Registered: 10 Oct 2009
- Posts: 4,150
Another well known name, synonymous with Dover. I hope they haven`t Jeanette. Anyone know how long they`ve been established?
Tell them that I came, and no one answered.
Guest 684- Registered: 26 Feb 2009
- Posts: 635
If true, that's awful news - another Dover institution bites the dust.
Paynes have re-emerged as Bartlett & White in Deal and Ramsgate - isn't there anyway the Dover branch could be saved? A management buyout? Staff co-operative?
Regards,
Andy
Was it not just a couple of months ago that Paynes in Dover was bought out but continued to trade under the same name?
Terry Nunn
- Location: London Road, Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 4,316
Good to see you back Jeanette even though you have posted on an awful topic. I must admit that I have been more or less stuck indoors the two days and short of posting my end of month bills etc I haven't ventured very far. If they have closed then it is of course very sad. Is it the "Morrison Effect"?
Further up the town the slightly upmarket cafe that replaced the Central seems to be closing early. Are we "over cafe'd"?
The green leaves might be shooting but I fear that some small traders will still go to the wall. Please supprt them as much as you can.
Terry
Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
i saw that this morning, looks like they have tried and it has not paid off.
Guest 695- Registered: 30 Mar 2010
- Posts: 426
I was told a couple of weeks ago they were closing at the end of March. They didn't even have a closing down sale!
Brian Dixon
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
poped into paynes yesterday to buy some bedding plants,no sign of closing but did notice a funueral at st pauls this morning.just to futher there was a power cut in certain parts of dover this morning.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
welcome to tony making his maiden speech here.
Guest 695- Registered: 30 Mar 2010
- Posts: 426
Thanks very much for the welcome Howard. My apologies for not having responded earlier but I've been stuck in a meeting in London all evening and am now on the high speed train returning. Unfortunately connecting through a dongle to the internet on the train is pretty poor.
Guest 653- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,540
I fear that many businesses may be suffering the "Morrisons effect". Cafe's are for sure, fruit and veg, as we've seen with Paynes, probably butchers next and then bakers.
What's the Chamber doing to help these small businesses ? why sacking the one man who may have been able to help. You could always write and ask them.
Maybe it wasn't such a good idea to have a big supermarket in Town afterall ?
Roger
Guest 674- Registered: 25 Jun 2008
- Posts: 3,391
ROGER
Isn't that conservatve policy compitition?
Well you know my position on ASDA Roger!
D
Sad but not surprised and not to do with Morrisons.
The old Paynes was poor quality vegetables etc. and indifferent service. When recent owners took over improved but slipped back to how it was.
My wife never buys veg from Supermarkets but gets good quality veg at Farthingloe and the Veg shop at River (usually local veg so supports local farmers). She was orepared to support Paynes in particular when it seemed to improve.
Retailers must understand that quality and service are key points that the consumer wants and if not given there is always a choice (and not the Supermarket).
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
pat
sadly that applies to a lot of dover shops.
i try to but everything i need in the town centre, the truth is i buy a lot from sainsbury's in folkestone as i get a pleasant and courteous service not always achieved by small businesses in our town.
i must stress that i am not saying all are like that.
Yes Howard. There seems to be a lack of service culture in Dover.
Recently we needed a new washing machine. Went into Delmaines and no interest in the customer or advice on what was available.
A friend suggested Fullicks in Cheriton where "more mature" people served and answered questions and gave advice. We purchased from them (free delivery/fitting). When delivered another five machines being delivered to addresses in Dover.
So Dover retailers are in fact losing business.
My wifes hates supermarkets but I do use Sainsburys in Ashford also for fish and a few odd bits the new Morrisons
Guest 693- Registered: 12 Nov 2009
- Posts: 1,266
I don't believe the closure of Payne's was due to the new Morrisons, I believe it was due to indifferent quality and service. I'm sad to see yet another local shop close its doors, though. Personally, I don't like using supermarkets for fruit and veg as I never find the standard very high, unlike the prices. I've always used the fruit and veg stall on Archers Court Road (by the bridge over the Whitfield bypass) - Fiona's stuff is local where possible, always good quality and well priced. And, she sells a brand of potato called 'Marfona' which is the best tasting potato to be had (except for the seasonal Jersey Royals). I'd recommend it to all as worth a try, much better than Desirée or even King Edwards.
True friends stab you in the front.
Very sad to read paynes has gone. i worked there when i was younger and enjoyed my time there.
Guest 684- Registered: 26 Feb 2009
- Posts: 635
Pat Sherratt and Andy Cooper are absolutely right about the lack of service culture and staff indifference in Dover (with a few notable exceptions like the ever-genial Dave Flynn and his staff at The Allotment - and possibly a few others, like that tea-room which made a good fist of proper customer service in the unlikely environs of the Bench Street rubble).
This bad training/poor management is further hampering a town economy already on its knees. It's the dearth of community cohesion and the pall of gloom over the town centre which both causes this and is a direct result of it as well.
In the words of The Stranglers: something's gotta change.
Floreat Dubris!
Andy
