Blockbuster Video stores.
Discussion
Close to where I work is a Blockbuster video store that's boarded up, with the usual "gone out of business" letter from the administrators on the door.
Been that way for years.
I seem to recall one closer to home that was also empty for years when they went bust too.
Anyone know why they are empty / not re-let, some sort of legal thing?
Been that way for years.
I seem to recall one closer to home that was also empty for years when they went bust too.
Anyone know why they are empty / not re-let, some sort of legal thing?
The one a few miles away from where I live was empty for about 2 years or so before it was converted into a Morrisons Local store. That lasted about a year before it closed.
A few months later it was reopened but under different ownership (still branded as Morrisons Local but run / staffed by local residents instead), however that lasted about 5 to 6 months before it closed again and the unit is currently locked up with the windows painted over.
A few months later it was reopened but under different ownership (still branded as Morrisons Local but run / staffed by local residents instead), however that lasted about 5 to 6 months before it closed again and the unit is currently locked up with the windows painted over.
Remember going to blockbuster on a Friday evening to rent the latest film. £3.75 it was. Pick up the empty box and walk proudly with your choice to the front of the store past the haagen dazs and butterkist popcorn only to realise late on a sunday you forgot to return the bloody thing.
I had a local video shop at the end of my road who I used to rent off prior to blockbuster opening. He has probably passed now but the nicest chap you could meet.
I had a local video shop at the end of my road who I used to rent off prior to blockbuster opening. He has probably passed now but the nicest chap you could meet.
It was a ritual growing up and hiring a film with my dad on betamax, then I did the same with DVDs at Blockbuster until they shut down. I was devastated when they shut down but boy, I still cannot believe how easy it is to stream films these days and not worry about availability etc.
I used to enjoy picking a film up then not being able to resist the 4 for £10 , spending that long choosing the last one I barely had time to watch one of them
Our blockbusters has had the shutters down for years, never been re-let
The death of the DVD and CD has meant a lot of jobs have gone, manufacturing, distribution wholesale, retail , shop maintenance ,now it's just ker-Ching , £3 (or £4 for HD ) straight in some global multinational companies pocket
Our blockbusters has had the shutters down for years, never been re-let
The death of the DVD and CD has meant a lot of jobs have gone, manufacturing, distribution wholesale, retail , shop maintenance ,now it's just ker-Ching , £3 (or £4 for HD ) straight in some global multinational companies pocket
MYOB said:
It was a ritual growing up and hiring a film with my dad on betamax, then I did the same with DVDs at Blockbuster until they shut down. I was devastated when they shut down but boy, I still cannot believe how easy it is to stream films these days and not worry about availability etc.
Same here, back in the early 80s my dad would take us to the local Esso petrol station to choose a film and some sweets for a Saturday night. I remember the Betamax section was about 10% of the size of the VHS section.Then as I got older it was the realisation on a Sunday night at 10:00pm that I hadn't returned the film to blockbuster before having to drive there and post it through the secure box.
With regards to blockbuster, I can't actually think of another business that was killed so quickly by the internet.
Unbusy said:
Top shelf mags?
To my surprise the local shop has some now. The owner tells me he sells a fair few. Must be guys who aren't on line Shirley? I can't remember the last time I bought one.
Maybe time for a walk down memory lane ... I said walk!
I was thinking the exact same thing yesterday when I glanced over to the magazine rack and saw the top shelf selection, not cheap either.To my surprise the local shop has some now. The owner tells me he sells a fair few. Must be guys who aren't on line Shirley? I can't remember the last time I bought one.
Maybe time for a walk down memory lane ... I said walk!
HTP99 said:
I think the Woking one is still there all boarded up etc, quite a prominent one on a corner just before you get into the town; TBH I tend not to go to Woking if I can help it and I haven't been for a while so it may be something else now.
Still the same as of a few weeks ago.
i am surprisesd there are still some around. The concept has changed, people can now stream, download or buy the DvD for a few pounds. That explains also why HMV has financial problems.
There should be some room for quality (or specialists) on these like a shop who would offer rare or unseen movies to some fans.
Having said this, I like to own the physical DVD at home of my favorite movies.
There should be some room for quality (or specialists) on these like a shop who would offer rare or unseen movies to some fans.
Having said this, I like to own the physical DVD at home of my favorite movies.
The problem is that a lot of the units are either the wrong size or just in rubbish locations for a lot of potential occupiers.
At least that was a big part of the problem with the ones that became M Local shops; they weren't a good size & weren't in the right places. The ex-Blockbuster stores were what dragged the whole thing down.
At least that was a big part of the problem with the ones that became M Local shops; they weren't a good size & weren't in the right places. The ex-Blockbuster stores were what dragged the whole thing down.
Know off two in Brighton which closed. The one on London road was empty for years and had squatters at one point, area finally seems to be on the up and it's been turned into a bar/coffee place. Western road branch is still derelict, that road seems impossible to run a business on unless it's an off license.
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