Podcast Pete

It hasn't rained for about 24 hours, which is surprising in itself. Got some sport to come. We've got those job opportunities as well. Local travel and weather and hidden treasure together. And I'm really looking forward to bringing you the very first instalment of our Priory Bark feature. Still to come a little bit later on.

It hasn't rained for about 24 hours, which is surprising in itself. Got some sport to come. We've got those job opportunities as well. Local travel and weather and hidden treasure together. And I'm really looking forward to bringing you the very first instalment of our Priory Bark feature. Still to come a little bit later on.

And before we go, at the end of the show, a natural sound from a place you know from Earlswood this week. . But first of all, let's bring you the news sequence here on the Planet Ruggate podcast. Hello, I'm Peter Stewart.

And before we go, at the end of the show, a natural sound from a place you know from Earlswood this week. . But first of all, let's bring you the news sequence here on the Planet Ruggate podcast. Hello, I'm Peter Stewart.

And of course, the main news this week is that six weeks after starting their consultation, Marks & Spencer sadly announced their decision to close the store in Red Hill this week. Of course, first and foremost, our thoughts and best wishes are with the staff there who may lose their jobs or maybe be redeployed to other locations.

And of course, the main news this week is that six weeks after starting their consultation, Marks & Spencer sadly announced their decision to close the store in Red Hill this week. Of course, first and foremost, our thoughts and best wishes are with the staff there who may lose their jobs or maybe be redeployed to other locations.

Now, M&S has been rationalising its store portfolio over the past few years. In layman's terms, what that means is they've been looking around and they've been weighing up the future of the store and of all of their buildings and where they actually want to be and the kinds of things they're going to be selling.

Now, M&S has been rationalising its store portfolio over the past few years. In layman's terms, what that means is they've been looking around and they've been weighing up the future of the store and of all of their buildings and where they actually want to be and the kinds of things they're going to be selling.

And which stores, not necessarily which ones aren't profitable, but which ones are less profitable or where they can save money by pulling out of some areas and maybe invest in other areas. There may even be possibility of more specific food stores or some big out-of-town stores, the likes of which we've seen elsewhere around the area, of course.

And which stores, not necessarily which ones aren't profitable, but which ones are less profitable or where they can save money by pulling out of some areas and maybe invest in other areas. There may even be possibility of more specific food stores or some big out-of-town stores, the likes of which we've seen elsewhere around the area, of course.

So that's been going on for the last couple of years. And in October 2022, so a good while ago, 18 months ago, they said that they were going to be restructuring the business to put more focus on its food-only stores. That's where an awful lot of the money is. And it's going to be closing 67 locations over the next five years, with a plan overall to close 110 sites overall.

So that's been going on for the last couple of years. And in October 2022, so a good while ago, 18 months ago, they said that they were going to be restructuring the business to put more focus on its food-only stores. That's where an awful lot of the money is. And it's going to be closing 67 locations over the next five years, with a plan overall to close 110 sites overall.

And now it has been confirmed that Redhill is one of those. Now, the last day of trading, Saturday, the 17th of August, staff have been told that their roles will either be terminated completely or they're going to be relocated by the 31st of August.

And now it has been confirmed that Redhill is one of those. Now, the last day of trading, Saturday, the 17th of August, staff have been told that their roles will either be terminated completely or they're going to be relocated by the 31st of August.

Now, as I said last week, the announcement comes at a time when actually visitor numbers in the Belfry are on the up, up, up, up 20% so far in 2024, which is really fantastic. Some good work there because virtually all of the units are filled. And it's way ahead of all national comparisons.

Now, as I said last week, the announcement comes at a time when actually visitor numbers in the Belfry are on the up, up, up, up 20% so far in 2024, which is really fantastic. Some good work there because virtually all of the units are filled. And it's way ahead of all national comparisons.

And they've had, as I mentioned last week, four new independent stores have opened up in the last couple of months. And it was hoped that with M&S, they've got a long lease remaining there. And they've had some positive trading in Red Hill, especially over Christmas. And it was hoped, you know, everything was crossed there, that they would avoid the closure. But, as I say, it's not to be. Now...

And they've had, as I mentioned last week, four new independent stores have opened up in the last couple of months. And it was hoped that with M&S, they've got a long lease remaining there. And they've had some positive trading in Red Hill, especially over Christmas. And it was hoped, you know, everything was crossed there, that they would avoid the closure. But, as I say, it's not to be. Now...

What do the Belfry say? What's going to be the future of those units, those two floors at the Belfry? Well, they say that they're getting constant inquiries for new tenancies, most recently including a whole load of inquiries from national retail chains and leisure companies as well about that space. That was before M&S confirmed that they were going to be moving out.

What do the Belfry say? What's going to be the future of those units, those two floors at the Belfry? Well, they say that they're getting constant inquiries for new tenancies, most recently including a whole load of inquiries from national retail chains and leisure companies as well about that space. That was before M&S confirmed that they were going to be moving out.