I live on the new Marina development. we desperately need some shops. All we have at present is a handmade choclate shop and a model railway shop.

What we need is a local old fashioned corner shop/newsagents. We have tried but failed to find anyone that will deliver newspapers to our house. Also a fish and chip shop would be great. There are a lot of houses on this development and they have not finished building yet. please can we have some shops?

By macycat at 14:46 on 26/05/11

Why not start a campaign to get some? Your ward councillor is Reyna Knight and she could be able to help. What does everyone else think? What sort of shops are needed on the marina?

By thepickler at 17:14 on 26/05/11
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How about a tesco metro?? :) Also try http://tinyurl.com/yhbgnr5 which acts a bit like a corner shop but delivers to your door in the morning! they may start deliveries every day if enough of us use it.

The problem is that the corner shop can't survive when we all go to the big supermarkets.

By tiffal at 17:26 on 26/05/11
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It is not within the power of local Councillors, or any Council, to direct which shop opens where. As has been said, two shops were included in the original plans for the village quarter, but neither was taken up by a 'corner shop'.
A new Lidels is opening soon, near Waitrose but too far from the village quarter proper.

Barry Walters

By BarryW at 09:22 on 27/05/11
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I think that shops are included in the master plan - but not built yet.
There was a proposed pub and deli at Chandlery Square (not sure what became of that)
http://tinyurl.com/3fag3gn

I also recall retail outlets were earmarked to be built roughly where the Crest sales office currently sits.

By AllNamesTaken at 09:31 on 27/05/11
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The Pub/Deli/Restaurant at Chandlery Square will be from Hall & Woodhouse. Its behind schedule due to some wrangling between the developers and the council, but cant recall the details.

There is also a planned retail unit located in the apartment block due to go up next to it.

As for the Crest sales office, when they start work on the building going there in a couple of months, the entire ground floor will be retail space.

It is a shame that the existing units were taken up by rather 'specialized' stores.

By TravUK at 13:28 on 27/05/11
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Thats good to hear so we will have something to look forward to. Lets hope they are taken up by 'useful shops' for the area and not the 'specialized shops' as you say.

By macycat at 14:32 on 27/05/11
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The Hall & Woodhouse pub hit delays due to parking issues.
I thought this had been resolved, but the pub was due to be with us over 2 years ago.
I can't see if it is still going ahead or not.

By AllNamesTaken at 14:43 on 01/06/11
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It would be nice to have a pub!

By macycat at 16:07 on 01/06/11
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We are Lisa and Claire and we run Chocolate One on the Village Square in the Village Quarter, one of the two shops referred to in this debate.
We both are married, live on the Village Quarter and have two children each that go to school in Portishead. We employ two local people in our shop.
In the current economic climate in which several businesses in Portishead have sadly recently closed, it is disappointing to read such negative comments.
Chocolate One is indeed a 'specialist' shop in that we make chocolates by hand. We are a thriving local business that has been trading for over 2 years.
We also consider our shop to be 'useful' to our local community.
On a daily basis, children come in to spend some of their pocket money on our chocolate from as little as 30p. We are also pleased to have a fan-base of regular customers who buy themselves a treat or a quirky bespoke gift. These people are a mix of Portishead residents and people from outside the town who travel to our shop as we can offer a service and a product that doesn't exist elsewhere. We do not take for granted that people are spending their hard-earned money with us.
We pride ourselves on our customer service and we pride ourselves on our input to our local community.
We support four local people with small businesses by retailing their goods through our small shop - cakes, cards, jewellery and local photographic prints, giving them an outlet to showcase their lovely products. We believe that these products both complement and enhance our bespoke and unique gifts and treats!
For the last two years at Christmas we have organised a free Christmas evening event on the Village Square in aid of the Avon Fire Service Benevolent Fund where Santa has come on his sleigh for the children and we have provided carols, mulled wine, mulled cider, hot chocolate and mince pies in return for a donation to the charity. This is open to anyone that wishes to attend.
We have donated chocolates and sweets to the residents and families at the Children's Hospice in Wraxall and to the residents at Waverley Court across the road from us. The Waverley Court residents and their visitors also visit our shop regularly for coffee and chocolate as we are on their doorstep and many are elderly and infirm and therefore not always able to venture into the High Street.
For two years we have supported our local Portishead Farmers' Market by advertising dates within the shop and having a stall there each month. We also continually support primary schools and nurseries in Portishead, Clevedon, Nailsea and Wraxall by donating raffle prizes and attending their fund-raising events as well as supporting charity fund-raisers at Police HQ and Cadbury House to name but a few.
We also attended with a stall the Victorian Fair in aid of Portishead Christmas Lights and most recently the Portishead Carnival last Saturday.
It has been suggested in this thread that the community would be better served by a national supermarket chain opening an Express store instead of having 'specialised' shops on the Village Quarter. We endorse and promote North Somerset Council's Made in Somerset and Shop Local initiatives. Leaflets for both are available within our shop. As stated in the North Somerset Local Food Directory, for every £10 spent with a local food business, it would generate £25 for the local area compared to £14 generated by a £10 spend in a supermarket.
Do these things make us 'useful'? We believe they do. The joy is that, as an independent 'specialised' store, we have the will and ability to benefit our community.
Regards
Lisa & Claire
Chocolate One
01275 817961

By Chocolate_One at 19:22 on 22/06/11
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I am tryting to open up a small Private Hire Transfer company
for Airport Transfers Weddings etc but am unable to find somewhere
suitable reasonable on price if i could i would join you and your chocoilate shop and railway shop :)

By B Cars of Kingswood & Bristol Airport at 22:48 on 22/06/11
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Whilst I applaud all the good work you do and I support local businesses myself. At the end of the day what do people really want on a daily basis? Bread, milk and newspapers I rest my case.

By macycat at 08:09 on 23/06/11
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We have contacted Mccolls in the High Street, and they have advised that they are currently canvassing Port Marine & Village Quarter in relation to the delivery of papers in the area. They have confirmed if they are able to attract 20 houses, they can form a round! So if this is something that anyone believes is useful to them, feel free to contact them directly. Mccolls 01275 843 183.

Bread & Milk can be sourced within the High Street via three bakeries and the three supermarkets, plus the Waitrose garage (out of hours). At the Farmers Market at Waitrose Piazza (next one 9th July 9.00-12.30) there is a fantastic artisan bread stall! There is also the ability to have milk & bread delivered via http://tinyurl.com/5u3of3h which supports local milkmen!!

We are aware that you moved into the area in July of last year, and so you must be fully aware of the speed to which our environment is rapidly changing. Port Marine and The Village Quarter is a fantastic place to live, offering so much to it's residents. It may not be perfect and it may not have all the facilities that are needed yet, but we strongly feel that it is yet to fulfil its potential....

By Chocolate_One at 10:06 on 23/06/11
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In reply to BadgerCars....Thanks for you posting! We will keep our ear to the ground for you, and wish you luck in finding somewhere suitable :)

By Chocolate_One at 10:09 on 23/06/11
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As a resident living on the village quarter I feel truly privileged to have Chocolate One on our doorstep. It's a breath of fresh air to have unique shops especially when so many of our streets are becoming bland clones with the same shops selling the same products. Chocolate one is a real asset to our local community and a hive of activity especially after school when the children love to call in and weary parents can grab a coffee or tea. As well as the friendly and engaging owners tochat to who always have time to engage with the customers. I have also used chocolate one to source extra special gifts and bespoke party favors for my childrens birthday parties. Both Lisa and Claire are always so willing to help. As a busy mum of three with my own business I have my milk and bread delivered by the milk man (see milk and more online), I suggest the lady above does the same. Finally I wish continued success to Chocolate one who are an invaluable asset to our new community.

By Busybaker at 12:48 on 24/06/11
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