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MrT
Average Member
United Kingdom
43 Posts |
 Posted - 03 Mar 2012 : 15:34:08
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Decided to check out the newly re-opened Haskins Roundstone this afternoon. Huge place, furniture, kitchen utensils, clothes, greeting cards, rows and rows of bird food, big petshop / aquarium shop, and the usual outdoor section of plants and pots and water features like they used to have.
I don't think they've got the car park right though. Queues backed onto the A259 of cars waiting to get in, then ages spent inching the car along looking for a space, then about 15mins of inching along queueing to get the car out again.
It's a bit like the world's worst motorway service station! Next time I'll go on a weekday not a sunny Saturday! |
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neil
Forum Owner / Moderator
United Kingdom
2623 Posts |
Posted - 03 Mar 2012 : 17:10:06
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"Launch Celebration Day" is on 9th March from 9.00am. First 100 customers get a free goody bag.
Also massive 450-seat restaurant now selling wide variety of food and drinks. Had an exceptionally large scone there yesterday which kept me going for hours 
Not sure where permanent bus stop will be located on the site. At present temporary stop sign is in the coaches bay! Not sure what will happen if and when the road is dualled - more traffic lights? Perhaps this has already been agreed by WSCC 
Traffic was also bad yesterday, Mr T, when we tried to get out just before 4.00pm |
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GreenFields
Average Member
United Kingdom
65 Posts |
Posted - 04 Mar 2012 : 13:08:17
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Yes I was there yesterday afternoon and sat in the queue of 30 cars trying to get out on to the A259. The plus point is that the queue was starting to prevent people getting into the Garden centre, so you can the get a few cars exiting while the A259 is blocked. Can't wait for ADSA!!!
Personally I'd always preferred Manor Nursery, but since they're selling up to Barrett's and are more concerned with cash than the village, I think I'll cycle down to Haskins or drive to Wyevale.
It's good to have a moan :o) |
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neil
Forum Owner / Moderator
United Kingdom
2623 Posts |
Posted - 04 Mar 2012 : 13:12:20
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| Yes, I wonder how many more people will think they have been betrayed by Manor Nurseries and go to Haskins instead! |
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GreenFields
Average Member
United Kingdom
65 Posts |
Posted - 04 Mar 2012 : 13:20:01
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I thought the owners of Manor Nursery's sold the land for Bramley Green, and if that is the case they shouldn't need the money unless it's pure greed.
Anyone know?
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roosterbri
Advanced Member
United Kingdom
553 Posts |
Posted - 04 Mar 2012 : 16:13:15
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| This now has to be the largest Garden Centre on the South Coast....yet it would appear the Planning Authorities gave permission for the increase in size of the centre and capacity of the car park without any thought to he consequences on access and egress. |
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240felicia
Senior Member
172 Posts |
Posted - 04 Mar 2012 : 21:04:53
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the plans seem to indicate the area of unfininished mud alongside the south side of the building may also eventually be turning into parking
and has nobody thought that maybe just maybe everyone and their granny will be visiting haskins since it just re-opened, and that surely the volume of traffic will soon reduce to a more normal level...
(inability to type caused editing) |
Edited by - 240felicia on 04 Mar 2012 21:05:49 |
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compost
Advanced Member
265 Posts |
Posted - 04 Mar 2012 : 21:50:17
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Seems to be a mixed view (which is good) as to the expansion of Haskins. Yes, there seems to be an issue with cars getting into the site (a slip road would have been an idea), but like 240felicia says - it is probably the world and his dog turning up to have a look.
Harsh comments about Manor Nurseries - i think we all would sell up if the money was right. |
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Bert
Advanced Member
484 Posts |
Posted - 05 Mar 2012 : 10:12:39
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compost....."...I think we all would sell up if the money was right."
I don't think you should speak for ..."..we all." Yourself ..yes...but not "we all."
Not everyone thinks everything has a price tag. |
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hairspray
Senior Member
United Kingdom
104 Posts |
Posted - 05 Mar 2012 : 16:11:54
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| Have just had a visit and I do not like it at all!! I was never a fan of the old Haskins as I found it overpriced and thought most of the furniture and gifts there a bit naff !! but to me it just feels impersonal and like a huge aircraft hanger. I prefer Ferring nursery for my plants, and shops with slightly more up to date gifts etc so will not be popping back!! but I do understand many will think it is great. |
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compost
Advanced Member
265 Posts |
Posted - 05 Mar 2012 : 20:43:19
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| Bert....okay, me yes if the money was right. Easy to say "I would not" but realistically if you were offered an amount that was far in excess of your properties value could you honestly say you would not !!!!! No honestly !!!!One last chance to admit you would !!!! |
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Bert
Advanced Member
484 Posts |
Posted - 06 Mar 2012 : 10:03:10
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compost....many thanks for giving me.."one last chance to admit I would."...!!!
If I owned a large amount of land, let's say, .....it has a garden centre on it, and I was wealthy, and I also owned a large, succesful garden centre about twenty miles away, and by selling the land, it would cause a major issue within the village where it was situated, upset and disrupt the majority of the 8,000 residents, change the dynamics of the village....sorry to have to tell you compost..."for my one last chance".....no I wouldn't. |
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roosterbri
Advanced Member
United Kingdom
553 Posts |
Posted - 06 Mar 2012 : 11:41:02
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| Money is a big carrot!!! |
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compost
Advanced Member
265 Posts |
Posted - 06 Mar 2012 : 21:03:13
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| Bert - I take my hat off to you (seriously). I can see the logic to your view, but the thought of millions, champagne, yatch's and bikini babes has its merits too. |
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derekdainton
deleted
579 Posts |
Posted - 07 Mar 2012 : 09:21:45
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| Surely, this isn't just a case of cashing in. Whatever its merits, Manor Nurseries must have seen the increasing competition from Haskins and faced with either selling to a developer or watching the slow decline of its business, made a commercial decision. Faced with the same options, we might all take the same view. |
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neil
Forum Owner / Moderator
United Kingdom
2623 Posts |
Posted - 07 Mar 2012 : 10:11:29
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I don't think Manor Nurseries in Angmering has ever tried to seriously compete with Haskins or when it was Roundstone Garden Centre. I have never seen that many people in MN to suggest that it could make much profit (if any).
Probably the profit making elements are their garden centre at Runcton and their plant growing business.
However, as DD suggests, income may well fall even further with re-opening of Haskins.
Of course, their MD no longer lives in Angmering and he may have made the decision to close/move elsewhere as it would have little effect on him.
Whoops - I'm moving off topic!
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Bert
Advanced Member
484 Posts |
Posted - 07 Mar 2012 : 10:18:09
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I appreciate the humour in the last two comments from compost and dd, but that argument tends to look rather weak, due to the statement made by the MD of Manor Nurseries, as indicated on Neil's news page of 2/2/12.
"We are not closing, we are actively seeking to relocate within four or five miles of where we are now.."
So the cash will be re-invested on another site nearby, and Haskins re-development does not concern them because four or five miles away will still be in competition with them and the many other nurseries/garden centres in this area! |
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neil
Forum Owner / Moderator
United Kingdom
2623 Posts |
Posted - 07 Mar 2012 : 10:26:29
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| ........ and when they can't find an appropriate site within 4-5 miles, they may conveniently close! |
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Bert
Advanced Member
484 Posts |
Posted - 07 Mar 2012 : 10:51:33
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......yes, that will be a surprise!!!
But just reminding folk what the MD of Manor Nurseries stated. |
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derekdainton
deleted
579 Posts |
Posted - 07 Mar 2012 : 14:44:45
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| Wasn't aware there was any humour in my comment. That said, 4-5 miles would move them out of the competitive impact of Haskins. Not not for anyone to make judgements without all the facts. Some responses here are reminiscent of Daily Mail territory. |
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roosterbri
Advanced Member
United Kingdom
553 Posts |
Posted - 08 Mar 2012 : 06:14:25
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| My wife went yesterday for lunch with a friend at 1-45. They had sold out of a lot of food by then-----and they are open all day for food????!!! |
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neil
Forum Owner / Moderator
United Kingdom
2623 Posts |
Posted - 08 Mar 2012 : 07:48:54
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| Did that include their new ALL-Day Breakfast? |
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roosterbri
Advanced Member
United Kingdom
553 Posts |
Posted - 08 Mar 2012 : 13:14:53
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| No....hot food was plentiful....it was paninis etc |
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newbird
Average Member
37 Posts |
Posted - 09 Mar 2012 : 13:37:36
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| I dont actually think they have much more in there than they did before, it's all just spread out a bit more. The food court takes up a lot of the floor space. I am sure the crowds will die down and they will have things better organised in a few weeks...... |
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BOTFOJ
Senior Member
Kyrgyzstan
161 Posts |
Posted - 12 Mar 2012 : 10:05:45
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| if you want plants, Ferring Nurseries wins hands down, staff who actually know what they are selling. Wonder if they will be made an offer they cant refuse for their land in future once Asda get up and running next door! |
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Bert
Advanced Member
484 Posts |
Posted - 12 Mar 2012 : 10:40:52
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| I agree that Ferring Nurseries are very good. I also particularly like ..Lowertrees Nursery, a family run business that grow most of their small plants...winter and summer bedding etc., they're up the lane between Roundstone Haskins and the roundabout at the south end of the by-pass. |
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maddovey
Junior Member
United Kingdom
15 Posts |
Posted - 12 Mar 2012 : 23:24:58
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I don't think they've got the car park right though. Queues backed onto the A259 of cars waiting to get in, then ages spent inching the car along looking for a space, then about 15mins of inching along queueing to get the car out again.
It's a bit like the world's worst motorway service station! Next time I'll go on a weekday not a sunny Saturday!
u think the roads r bad now wat' it gonna b like wen asda has oppened n we have 700 new houses in the village? i went 2 have a look n take my daughter 2c da pets like they u use 2have but the only pets were fish n even that was pants x x |
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NickR60
Average Member
46 Posts |
Posted - 13 Mar 2012 : 18:15:41
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Quite why they were given planning permission without contributing to a dual carriageway section I will never know. Not like the local residents to be shafted now is it?
And I echo the load of over priced tat. Went to have a look and wasn't impressed. |
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dare2baware
New Member
United Kingdom
3 Posts |
Posted - 19 Mar 2012 : 17:42:42
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| They should have left it as it was. It's such an ugly place now. |
www.dare2baware.com ~ because you are entitled to my opinion. Broadening Public Awareness. |
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GreenFields
Average Member
United Kingdom
65 Posts |
Posted - 19 Mar 2012 : 19:50:53
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Agree. Normally in the big warehouse stores you get cheaper goods, not at Haskins.
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Paul
Advanced Member
319 Posts |
Posted - 19 Mar 2012 : 21:06:46
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quote:
Originally posted by dare2baware
They should have left it as it was. It's such an ugly place now.
I'm guessing you were never in there when it rained, and the roof leaked and the car park was a flooded mess.
It's light and airy, and the floor is on one level.
Overall, a great improvement. |
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GreenFields
Average Member
United Kingdom
65 Posts |
Posted - 20 Mar 2012 : 20:54:56
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Leaks in the roof, some may call that character :o)
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