Companies That You Expect to Disappear Soon

[gg1]

Papa Johns and Domino both seem to have wild variations in quality between locations. The PJ in Taunton used to be fantastic, as did the one on Smithdown Road in Liverpool (near the old Hatton's Model Railways)... but the one in Huddersfield was terrible. Dominos in Huddersfield was really good until the head pizza cook left to set up his own independent.
Pizza Hut always felt like the "lowest common denominator" Pizza restaurant. Consistent (like McDonald's) but never very special. Haven't been to one for years though.

Dominos and Papa Johns (formerly named Perfect Pizza) both operate via a franchise system, I moved around a fair bit in the late 90s and early 00s, it was 50/50 which of the two were the better option in any given area. You've also nicely summed up my opinion of Pizza Hut, bland is the word I'd use. The franchise system also means the menus aren't consistent, annoyingly our local Dominos at our current address doesn't stock our favourite pizza, I drive to collect from the next closest instead.

I've yet to encounter a pizza from an independent takeaway that comes close to the tastiness of a decent Dominos franchise, they are more expensive but for me they're worth it.

 

[DavidGrain]

There have been a couple of mentions of model railway shops closing on here. It has been announced that the Warley National Model Railway Show will no longer be running. This was the leading model railway exhibition in the country held for the past 30 years in the National Exhibition Centre near Birmingham. The volunteers who have been running this have all got older. I remember back to the days when the Warley Model Railway Club used to hold their annual exhibition in an old drill hall in Smethwick and even in those days it was way better than the National Model Railways Exhibition in Central Hall Westminster.

I have mentioned Lloyds Pharmacy a few times on this thread. All the Lloyds Pharmacy shops anywhere near where I live have have all been rebranded with different local names and the Lloyds Pharmacy name no longer appears. Perhaps those living in other areas can confirm this.

I intended the above to be two separate posts but they got automerged

 

[Ken X]

I have just checked the Lloyds Pharmacy in Horley, Surrey, that I used to pass regularly and it's gone. Site empty and up for rent. Seems you could well be right.

 

[Dai Corner]

I have just checked the Lloyds Pharmacy in Horley, Surrey, that I used to pass regularly and it's gone. Site empty and up for rent. Seems you could well be right.

LloydsPharmacy ceases operating 90% of branches in 18 months

LloydsPharmacy is currently operating 138 branches, almost 90% fewer than it ran in March 2022, an analysis of General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) data by The Pharmaceutical Journal has revealed. GPhC figures show that LloydsPharmacy was operating 1,338 branches in March 2022, and that 1,597...

pharmaceutical-journal.com

In January 2023, LloydsPharmacy announced it would withdraw pharmacy services from all Sainsbury’s supermarkets, affecting 237 branches, following what the company said at the time was a “strategic review of its operations in response to changing market conditions”.

Following on from this, in May 2023, Rowlands Pharmacy announced that it had bought 30 pharmacies in Scotland, which were previously LloydsPharmacy branches.

On 9 October 2023, online pharmacy Pharmacy2U announced it had bought LloydsDirect, an online pharmacy that had previously been part of LloydsPharmacy.

The Hallo Healthcare Group, owner of Lloyds Pharmacy, told The Pharmaceutical Journal that it had been reviewing the shape of its group and that, as part of this, it had sold branches over the past year.

It added that most of its pharmacies were being bought by independent pharmacy owners and local businesspeople.

Hallo Healthcare said it continues to operate LP healthcare services, which provide specialist pharmaceutical dispensing and specialised services to the NHS and the private sector in a range of settings, including NHS trusts, NHS mental health trusts and prisons.

 

[Typhoon]

I have mentioned Lloyds Pharmacy a few times on this thread. All the Lloyds Pharmacy shops anywhere near where I live have have all been rebranded with different local names and the Lloyds Pharmacy name no longer appears. Perhaps those living in other areas can confirm this.

My nearest has too. I rarely pass it. It is not in an ideal spot - the nearest surgery closed down a few years ago.
The fiollowing might help explain:

After months of speculation that McKesson UK was being eyed up by three financial investment companies, November 2021 brought with it the news that Aurelius Group had snapped up the business for a cool £477m.

McKesson expects the sale of its UK businesses – including 1,325 Lloydspharmacies across the UK, the wholesaler AAH, app Lloydsdirect, Lloydspharmacy Online Doctor, travel health service MASTA and its John Bell & Croyden branch in London – to close in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2022, until when it will “continue to operate” its UK portfolio.

....

Aurelius will undoubtedly be undertaking a “thorough review of assets over the coming months”, and it is “impossible” to tell yet if McKesson UK's new owner will choose to sell off any Lloydspharmacy branches, he said. But the multiple’s online and app offerings are likely to be pretty attractive propositions for its new private equity owners.

Last para - it looks like we know the answer now! (There is more in the article)

source: https://www.chemistanddruggist.co.u...the-latest-chapter-in-the-Lloydspharmacy-saga

I intended the above to be two separate posts but they got automerged

They do!

 

[Busaholic]

My nearest has too. I rarely pass it. It is not in an ideal spot - the nearest surgery closed down a few years ago.
The fiollowing might help explain:



Last para - it looks like we know the answer now! (There is more in the article)

source: https://www.chemistanddruggist.co.u...the-latest-chapter-in-the-Lloydspharmacy-saga

They do!

In Cornwall the only Lloyds branches left are in Royal Cornwall Hospital at Truro and in the two small towns of Callington and Torpoint close to the Devon border.

 

[johntea]

Stonegate pubs not looking too good by the sounds of it

More than 4,500 Stonegate pubs at risk

More than 4,500 Stonegate pubs could be at risk as parent company TDR capital seeks to refinance £2.5 billion of debt.

www.gmb.org.uk

More than 4,500 Stonegate pubs could be at risk as parent company TDR capital seeks to refinance £2.5 billion of debt.​

Gary Lindsay, boss of TDR Capital which also owns supermarket giant Asda, told the Business and Trade Select Committee on Tuesday [9 January] he was ‘confident’ £2.6 billion of debts in the Stonegate Pub Company could be refinanced this year.

However, with current high interest rates, GMB Union is concerned refinancing could lead to crippling payments to service the debt,

Stonegate is one of the largest pub companies in the UK, with more than 4,500 pubs and more than 19,000 workers, including brands like Slug and Lettuce, Yates and Walkabout.

 

[Mcr Warrior]

Stonegate pubs not looking too good by the sounds of it

Another highly leveraged acquisition loaded up with too much debt?

 

[Blindtraveler]

I think that where stonegate may be failing is that they are in very serious need of a brand refresh. In fact refresh might be a little bit gentile for what in my view the business needs, walk about was an interesting concept when it first launched but is definitely showing its age and slug and lettuce at the end of the day is just an upmarket weatherspoon's who's main customer base is students, I don't know whether the student population is currently still spending lavishly or if the cost of living situation has finally got to them but as far as their main brands are concerned the only stonegate operation I have any time for is Yates and there seem to be less and less of those around in areas that I frequent

 

[peteb]

A shame this West Midlands firm with several retail outlets has ceased trading. Always a pleasure to deal with their friendly helpful staff. Does anyone know where they sourced their porcelain tiles, as it must be irksome for folks with half completed projects!

 

[cactustwirly]

Stonegate pubs not looking too good by the sounds of it

More than 4,500 Stonegate pubs at risk

More than 4,500 Stonegate pubs could be at risk as parent company TDR capital seeks to refinance £2.5 billion of debt.

www.gmb.org.uk

They're the largest owner of pubs in the UK, it's not a good sign...

I think that where stonegate may be failing is that they are in very serious need of a brand refresh. In fact refresh might be a little bit gentile for what in my view the business needs, walk about was an interesting concept when it first launched but is definitely showing its age and slug and lettuce at the end of the day is just an upmarket weatherspoon's who's main customer base is students, I don't know whether the student population is currently still spending lavishly or if the cost of living situation has finally got to them but as far as their main brands are concerned the only stonegate operation I have any time for is Yates and there seem to be less and less of those around in areas that I frequent

Slug and Lettuce seems very busy everytime I use it. I don't think it's fair to compare it to wetherspoons, it's a bit more upmarket. They do really good 2 for 1 cocktails, which doesn't end up that much more than drinking beers.

 

[Mag_seven]

A shame this West Midlands firm with several retail outlets has ceased trading. Always a pleasure to deal with their friendly helpful staff. Does anyone know where they sourced their porcelain tiles, as it must be irksome for folks with half completed projects!

What company is this?

 

[nlogax]

What company is this?

Tile Choice

 

[jon81uk]

I think that where stonegate may be failing is that they are in very serious need of a brand refresh. In fact refresh might be a little bit gentile for what in my view the business needs, walk about was an interesting concept when it first launched but is definitely showing its age and slug and lettuce at the end of the day is just an upmarket weatherspoon's who's main customer base is students, I don't know whether the student population is currently still spending lavishly or if the cost of living situation has finally got to them but as far as their main brands are concerned the only stonegate operation I have any time for is Yates and there seem to be less and less of those around in areas that I frequent

I think there has also been a generational shift away from drinking alcohol, so its not just that students can't afford to go out and drink as much, many people in that generation are choosing not to drink alcohol, or at least not to excess that was common 20 years ago. As you say I don't think Stonegate have been great at moving with the times, most of their venues rely on alcohol sales not food as well. They also own the majority of LGBT venues in London so it could be a huge blow if they go down.

 

[SteveM70]

I think there has also been a generational shift away from drinking alcohol

And an even bigger shift away from drinking alcohol in licensed premises

 

[Jamiescott1]

They're the largest owner of pubs in the UK, it's not a good sign...


Slug and Lettuce seems very busy everytime I use it. I don't think it's fair to compare it to wetherspoons, it's a bit more upmarket. They do really good 2 for 1 cocktails, which doesn't end up that much more than drinking beers.

Their "taps pubs" attempt at craft beer pubs seems to have been a bit of a flop.
I know a lot are empty except when showing football.
They've sold their high wycombe "taps" pub.

I find Yates the lowest of the low (lower than wetherspoons). Poor microwaved or fried food, sticky floors, always smells of vomit and tacky decor.

 

[Peter Sarf]

Their "taps pubs" attempt at craft beer pubs seems to have been a bit of a flop.
I know a lot are empty except when showing football.
They've sold their high wycombe "taps" pub.

I find Yates the lowest of the low (lower than wetherspoons). Poor microwaved or fried food, sticky floors, always smells of vomit and tacky decor.

My local Yates in Croydon closed ages ago (>5 years). It would be almost empty when the Wetherspoons round the corner was totally rammed. Last time I went into it the only people in there were a group round one table in the middle of an empty floor. We turned round and went back out - it was eerily dead. Bi surprised to learn Yates is still around.

 

[Jamiescott1]

My local Yates in Croydon closed ages ago (>5 years). It would be almost empty when the Wetherspoons round the corner was totally rammed. Last time I went into it the only people in there were a group round one table in the middle of an empty floor. We turned round and went back out - it was eerily dead. Bi surprised to learn Yates is still around.

When I was at uni (in the 90s) yates used to be "Yates wine lodge" and it was quite high end with freshly cooked food.

 

[trebor79]

When I was at uni (in the 90s) yates used to be "Yates wine lodge" and it was quite high end with freshly cooked food.

Yates was never high end. It was always full of rather dubious characters and not a place I ever really went to.

 

[nlogax]

Yates was never high end. It was always full of rather dubious characters and not a place I ever really went to.

My mid 1990s self would refute that and call Yates classy. Hence my current self is mortified at my 1990s self.

 

[peteb]

What company is this?

Tile Choice....nb my post started a new thread but it's been moved to this one....

 

[ChrisC]

Stonegate pubs not looking too good by the sounds of it

I’ve realised which group this is now I’ve read that they run Slug&Lettuce, Yates and Walkabout. I was getting them mixed up with the Stonehouse chain of pubs which belong to Mitchell and Butler.

 

[westv]

The pub round the corner is owned by Stonehouse. It gets 3.5 (which is poor) out of 5 on TA

 

[jon81uk]

The pub round the corner is owned by Stonehouse. It gets 3.5 (which is poor) out of 5 on TA

Stonehouse or Stonegate?

Stonehouse is a brand of carvery and pizza pub restaurants owned/operated by Mitchell & Butlers (who also own/operate Harvester, Toby Carvery, Miller & Carter and more). Stonehouse is one of the cheapest brands M&B operate.
Stonegate is a pub/bar owner who own the Walkabout, Yate's, Slug and Lettuce, Popworld and other chains as well as many other pubs and bars.

 

[Busaholic]

Yates was never high end. It was always full of rather dubious characters and not a place I ever really went to.

Agreed. If it was at any end, it was definitely low end. Wine Lodges were no wine chateaux.

Stonehouse or Stonegate?

Stonehouse is a brand of carvery and pizza pub restaurants owned/operated by Mitchell & Butlers (who also own/operate Harvester, Toby Carvery, Miller & Carter and more). Stonehouse is one of the cheapest brands M&B operate.
Stonegate is a pub/bar owner who own the Walkabout, Yate's, Slug and Lettuce, Popworld and other chains as well as many other pubs and bars.

The Stonegate I've known for decades is involved with eggs, either as a producer or packer, not sure which. Clarence Court eggs, which are the only ones I eat by choice, come under their orbit.

 

[SteveM70]

The Stonegate I've known for decades is involved with eggs, either as a producer or packer, not sure which. Clarence Court eggs, which are the only ones I eat by choice, come under their orbit.

That’s Stonegate Farmers, somewhere near Chippenham (maybe Lacock).

 

[trebor79]

Agreed. If it was at any end, it was definitely low end. Wine Lodges were no wine chateaux.

Yeah. All cheap white shirts and shiny shoes.

The Stonegate I've known for decades is involved with eggs, either as a producer or packer, not sure which. Clarence Court eggs, which are the only ones I eat by choice, come under their orbit.

That’s Stonegate Farmers, somewhere near Chippenham (maybe Lacock).

Indeed. Interesting character that runs it...

 

[D6130]

Stonehouse or Stonegate?

Stonehouse is a small family-owned brewery - combined with Henstones' distillery and cider makers - situated alongside the Cambrian Heritage Railway at Weston, near Oswestry, in Shropshire. As well as their on-site tap room and restaurant, they own a handful of pubs....including the Marlborough Arms in Chester.

 

[westv]

Stonehouse or Stonegate?

Stonehouse is a brand of carvery and pizza pub restaurants owned/operated by Mitchell & Butlers (who also own/operate Harvester, Toby Carvery, Miller & Carter and more). Stonehouse is one of the cheapest brands M&B operate.
Stonegate is a pub/bar owner who own the Walkabout, Yate's, Slug and Lettuce, Popworld and other chains as well as many other pubs and bars.

Ah! Stonehouse.

 

[KashmireHawker]

Tile Choice

Of whom there branding is still stuck around Molineux Stadium’s scoreboards, as of Tuesday nights Cup Replay!