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Rackhams Store

www.bbc.co.uk

'End of an era' as doors close at former Birmingham Rackhams store

After a turbulent few years for the brand, Birmingham's House of Fraser store closes for the last time.
www.bbc.co.uk www.bbc.co.uk

For 4 years, while at college, I caught the bus outside Rackhams. Each December the passengers eagerly discussed the anticipated Christmas window display. Wondering what magic was being created behind the whitened out windows.
 
ive been banging on since they started building the metro lines that the city centre will end up like a ghost town..the loss of so many shops has not helped plus as lloyd points out its now inaccessible to some people...its all geared up now for the young and fit..very sad and totally unfair that its now spot the OAP

lyn
 
Traditional shopping area have become recreational: rather akin to a tourist attraction. Out-of-town venues have taken their place with lots of parking facilities available which suit those who are younger and are usually more mobile. Smaller towns, who have a more discerning view of things, fair better, but they are the exception to the rule as they say.
 
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Astoness said:
ive been banging on since they started building the metro lines that the city centre will end up like a ghost town..the loss of so many shops has not helped plus as lloyd points out its now inaccessible to some people...its all geared up now for the young and fit..very sad and totally unfair that its now spot the OAP

lyn
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Lyn whenever I go into the city centre these days I feel like I’m the only person over 40!
When I think of how my Gran, Aunts and Mom shopped there so often (my Aunt Win went to the market almost every day), it makes me feel very sad and angry, that older people are being alienated these days.
 
lmr3103 said:
Lyn whenever I go into the city centre these days I feel like I’m the only person over 40!
When I think of how my Gran, Aunts and Mom shopped there so often (my Aunt Win went to the market almost every day), it makes me feel very sad and angry, that older people are being alienated these days.
Click to expand...
lynn i totally agree with everything you say.. :mad:

lyn
 
Are we talking about the same Birmingham here? I've been into town today and the place was wonderful. I was there last weekend too. Those big department stores are of their time and have been slowly disappearing for years. Lewis's, Henrys, C&A, Greys—and eventually Rackham's—simply no longer meet people's needs in Birmingham.

In cities like London, New York, and Tokyo, flagships like Harrods, Macy's, and Isetan thrive as tourist destinations—but Brum isn't a global tourist trap, and our stores relied on us locals.

The problems these stores had were huge. They carried massive stock assortments, which meant high overheads, while customers used them as showrooms before buying cheaper online. Manufacturers also found more direct routes to sell to the public to avoid paying the department stores' 40% commission. Many stores were also bought by private equity firms, who loaded them with debt to pay themselves dividends—Debenhams and House of Fraser were classic victims of that, not just fashion chains.

As for Rackham's? It was stuck living on a past reputation—a bit 'Hyacinth Bucket,' great if your aim was to impress the aspirational middle classes, but it put off younger shoppers who wanted something faster, cheaper, and more modern.
 
It all went to pot when Sports Direct took it under their wing. Rackhams, John Lewis, Debenhams, what next Selfridges? Yes, you can shop online, but I would like a choice. I don't want to shop on an APP, (despite the number of times they ask me to)....Another closed shop just adds to the inhospitable look of town, no wonder we don't get there much, it's not welcoming for those of us that don't dash around on electric bikes and scooters, but I think that might have always been their plan.
 
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