Guest Posted March 3, 2012 Share Posted March 3, 2012 Hiya I am pleased to let everyone know that from April ( opening date to be arranged ) i will be opening a riverside shop at Bramerton Woods End !! The prime reason for this is a sewing base for canvas and upholstery but I will also be stocking some boaty stuff like deck fittings, mud weights and the like. What would be helpful is to know the sort of things you lovely boaters would like to see there ? money is limited so I won't be able to stock £1000 radar kits to begin with but who knows ? with your support I will do my best to provide what you actually want to see there . I will post up the opening date closer to the time so I do hope that some of you will be able to come and see us to say hi, and yes we would love your input. Kind regards Richard and Saira Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NorfolkNog Posted March 3, 2012 Share Posted March 3, 2012 Hi Richard Best of luck with your new venture, sounds a great idea. Also wondered where you will be at Bramerton, will it be at the pub end or at the other side of the common? All the best Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Antares_9 Posted March 3, 2012 Share Posted March 3, 2012 Best of luck Richard, & by the way, if you do decide to stock £1000 radar kits I will buy all you can get at that price. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted March 4, 2012 Share Posted March 4, 2012 thanks guys I appreciate it, the shop is located just beside the pub so mooring outside is no problem, you can even look in the shop window from your boat ... We also intend to run a 50/50 shelf for all those boaty bits and bobs most guys n gals have kicking around, as long as they are clean and working I will be happy to sell your surplus items and we split the agreed ticket price. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VetChugger Posted March 4, 2012 Share Posted March 4, 2012 Being where you are I suspect many would welcome the sight of a fridge with a pint or two of milk. Apart from Norwich and a long walk up the hill at Brundall, there is nothing until Reedham. Otherwise just think of the regular consumer items that boats use. Blue stuff, maybe some oil, deinonised water, WD40 etc. How about an order service for the morning paper?? Trevor www.normanboats.co.uk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NorfolkNog Posted March 4, 2012 Share Posted March 4, 2012 Good point Trevor, shops on the Yare are like hens teeth!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZimbiIV Posted March 4, 2012 Share Posted March 4, 2012 Good luck, Hope you have plenty of shelf space, cos I've got a boatful of things that seemed a good buy at the time. Gas is hard to get on the Yare Brundall then WRC are the only places. Paul Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted March 4, 2012 Share Posted March 4, 2012 hiya All really good ideas, I hadn't thought of gas or gaz the only problem with that would be storage/insurance i suspect but i will look into it. And seeing as I will have milk for my tea it wouldn't hurt to keep a bit more in stock for customers There is wifi at the pub which will need extending, that is something I will be pushing the owner to sort out or let me get it done. Rich Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VetChugger Posted March 4, 2012 Share Posted March 4, 2012 Out of interest, how is the pub doing? I crossed it off my list last October after a poor experience there. Any improvements? Main complaint was the disappearance of the "welcome factor" after about 9pm and they very clearly wanted to close! Trevor www.normanboats.co.uk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted March 4, 2012 Share Posted March 4, 2012 hiya Yes it has been very difficult for Phil the new owner, the last owner had lost interest and the reputation sort of followed his lack of enthusiasm. But to put another spin on that he was quite ill and was struggling to cope I think. On the bright side Phil the new owner is a really nice guy and I would suggest that maybe he should know any concerns people have had or still have. After all without customers he won't survive. Norfolk river pubs do take a long time to recover a bad rep and I think Phil is feeling it through the last owner. I know for a fact when he moved in the kitchens were condemned and he spend £20k replacing the kitchen and a fortune replacing the key headings so he is really serious about making it work. For myself I have eaten the food there and really like it, ( before i took on the shop ) If anyone wants me to pass on comments I'd be happy to do that ? Rich Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveS Posted March 4, 2012 Share Posted March 4, 2012 Good luck with the new venture Richard, and I'm sure that we will will visit whenever we are likely to pass. Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swordfish Posted March 4, 2012 Share Posted March 4, 2012 Hi Rich, I wish you the very best with the venture, as you know,we pass there very regularly, will see you soon. Paul Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted March 4, 2012 Share Posted March 4, 2012 fan belts always come in handy when ones goes & you forgot to by a spare happened to us Jonny Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted March 5, 2012 Share Posted March 5, 2012 hiya thank you all for your help and encouragement, I am planning to open around the 2nd or 3rd week in April. The shop may not be totally stocked straight away but getting the building ready and open is my first priority. I will post up the opening date as soon as it is firm and as always it will be very nice to see you all. Those of you that know me know I'm quite partial to a mardle Regards Richard Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NorfolkNog Posted March 6, 2012 Share Posted March 6, 2012 Going back to the pub bit (apologies as this is a bit off topic) but I tend to agree with Trevor, it really ticks me off when pubs take an arbitrary decision to close early, I have also experienced this at the New Inn at Horning and it is really annoying. At least in Horning you can go to another pub! My experience of the Woods End is yes, nice people but a bit shy about opening. Pubs such as the Ferry at Surlingham or the Dog Inn at Ludham open pretty much all day, every day and enjoy an excellent reputation. OK pubs might argue that opening when its quiet costs electricity and staff time. However the fixed overheads (e.g. rent) remain the same and there is nothing to stop the licensee doing a stint behind the bar! It is a fact unfortunately that Broads pubs are very seasonal, busy in summer, quiet in winter. It’s not like running a town pub where trade is fairly constant. But I’m afraid nothing ticks me off more than going to a pub and finding it shut. That is a sure way to lose trade. One good way to rebuild a poor reputation is to keep the pub open and welcome customers, not drive them away! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VetChugger Posted March 6, 2012 Share Posted March 6, 2012 That's it in a nutshell Howard. At Bramerton we've experienced both instances. Arrived to find it closing at 9pm. Then the instance I mention when, as you suggest, the bar staff were conspicuously sent home at 8.45 and the Landlord was not happy doing his stint! I do hope that this has changed as the pub is in a lovely situation with idyllic (for a wide river) free moorings and an electrikery pole for extra comfort in winter! Trevor www.normanboats.co.uk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mbird Posted March 6, 2012 Share Posted March 6, 2012 Very best wishes for the nbew venture Richard! Is this going to be the new base for the canopy making business then, or just a side line? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BuffaloBill Posted March 6, 2012 Share Posted March 6, 2012 To add my tuppenth worth.... Here is a golden opportunity! A small section set aside for newspapers, milk, eggs, bread etc. I believe will make money. In the season there are usually a lot of boats moored by the green but you can't even get a morning paper! Do it Richard, you know you want to Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
diesel falcon Posted March 6, 2012 Share Posted March 6, 2012 It,s a bit of a trek up to the pub ,for a weekend but in the past we have had a good night there, a good thing to have tucked away is a few packets of cigs....it,s a hell of a place to run out of them!!.Hope the new Landlord can bring it round ,but don,t think he will if he dosn,t change the menu, it was not exactly memorable the last 2 times we went Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted March 9, 2012 Share Posted March 9, 2012 hiya Let me get into the shop first and then I will pass on the comments, anonymously of course I do think you guys have very valid points and is in my interest now as well as the owners to make it a nice place to visit. I have been thinking about milk, eggs, papers etc but being stock that has sell by dates i'm not sure ? maybe I can have a small try at that and see how it goes. I can't really stock cans of drink or ice creams etc as I think it would be seen as treading on the pubs toes and I really want our relationship to work. How do you guys feel about Paypal payments in the shop ? I am thinking about having it as a payment option . You would be able to use my computer or your own mobile phone to send payment to my paypal account. regards Rich Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZimbiIV Posted March 9, 2012 Share Posted March 9, 2012 How about leccy cards, boat mags. don't forget to post when you are open. paul Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted March 9, 2012 Share Posted March 9, 2012 brill idea. I have a notepad document for keeping all the ideas so none of them get lost. Today I have ordered some fishing rods and bait etc and next week I will get some Staple and hemp rope from Chatam Historic Dockyard, made on the 400 year old rope walk.. Regards Richard Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goodall_m1 Posted March 10, 2012 Share Posted March 10, 2012 The ideas will keep coming in... How about a simple one, A sign in the shop saying something like "If you can't find what you are looking for, tell us, if we have it we can point you to it, and if we haven't got it then it could be here the next time you come in". Let the customers suggest what you might stock. Good luck with the new venture. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted March 11, 2012 Share Posted March 11, 2012 another great idea for the shop , thank you. As I have a vinyl cutter for boat names that one is easy to sort Rich Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Posted March 11, 2012 Share Posted March 11, 2012 Hi Richard, I've measured our existing canopy bungees and will call you later with an order for two sets Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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