Sparks

Ali

<font face="Arial, Verdana" size="2">up for sale and probably closing down</font><div><font face="Arial, Verdana" size="2"><br></font></div><div><font face="Arial, Verdana" size="2">sad but inevitable I guess</font></div>

yagamuffin

Remind me.<div>I recognise the name but can't think what or where it is... Probably why it's closing...</div>

kreuzkav

It's a photographic shop a few doors up from Porchetta Pizza.  Business has been slack so the owner can't keep it going.  It's a labour of love now.<div><br></div><div>He gives a good rate on passport photos.  For that and other photo needs, please go.<br><div><br></div><div><br><div><br></div><div><br></div></div></div>

andy

Sad but inevitable. Independent retailers probably have one of four choices: i) go 'pro' and become a go-to place for rare kit and advice so experts will travel to you (e.g. super rare imported lenses) ii) go 'experiential' and make it a destination to learn and take part and do stuff (like the make lounge) iii) go online-only and stop paying rent on a shop or iv) sell coffee.

R&J

didn't it used to be located a few shops further down towards the White Lion and specialise in Watches?

kreuzkav

@ R&J. As far as I know Sparks has always been where it is now.  It was refurbished over five years ago.<span style="font-size: 10pt; "> It was a more general electrical appliance store selling T.V.s, video, dvd players etc. The change to being a photography shop was an attempt to find a niche market but maybe not niche enough.</span>

ladysmall

I was put off when I went in for 2 slightly obscure batteries and he was selling them for around a fiver each. I bought two for a quid in one of the discount shops.

R&J

I mean back in the 80's and early 90's.

Ali

R&J you are correct I think the lock shop is there now

gardener-joe

Sparks used to be a really excellent electrical bits and bobs shop ... plugs, bulbs, kettles, cables, radios, portable TVs, styluses for record players, watch batteries, minor repairs ... how I miss them. the present guy used to work there on their in-house photo process counter he eventually took over the whole shop and converted it entirely to frames and photoprocessing just when we all got computers and printers and digital cameras. what a sad misinterpretation of the way the wind was blowing

checkski

If by "the present guy" you mean the chap who works there, he is not the owner, and so probably does not make the decisions.

Ali

checksi  you are correct  I belive the "owner" is now a Finacial Planner  and I guess can't take the losses anymore.

andy

Investing in a camera shop is not a great advert for financial planning acumen.

ADGS

I just hope his investments in cassette tapes are going better, and that corner in the sunscreen market for April.<br>

val

It will be a loss to SGR when Mick, the manger of Sparks, leaves, as he has been there for donkeys' years and is friendly and  often seen in the doorway of the shop chatting to local people.