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Author	Message / Information
Toff	Is The Mailbox a White Elephant? posted on: 3/15/2006 4:22:21 PM Has anyone else noticed how the Mailbox keeps losing its designer shops? Its now got to the stage where its getting rather embarrassing - the latest casualty appears to be DKNY, who, last time I walked through, had closed up completely with the tell-tale frosting-up of the glass. The centre has lost a string of upmarket shops over the past two years, including Christian Lacroix, Tim Little, Ralph Lauren and Iceberg (which is now a 'nail bar' - a real come-down on the previous tenant). Just what is going on? Rumour has it that the management are already charging minimal rates and, as anyone can see, have made a string of improvements to the centre which has improved the feel and ambience considerably. It seems such a shame that Birmingham continues to lose such quality retailers whilst Manchester and Leeds in particular continue to gain them. As the second city, these retailers should be trading well, but Birmingham people just don't seem to be using them (very odd I think, given the high level of wealthy professionals residing in the city). What do others think about this?
bounder chairman of the board Rank: Ozzy	Is The Mailbox a White Elephant? replied on: 3/15/2006 9:01:19 PM I've heard that Harvey Nicks especially haven't had to pay much rent at all thus far. The bars do quite well, and the office space is full to capacity. People just can't afford to shop there - mind you one sale for somewhere like Bang & Olfsen and they've made thier money for the month. Premeriship footballers mainly - they must be shitting themselves in case Blues or Albion go down and there's 30 less super-inflated waged paid in the city.
falsedog Rank: Jasper	Is The Mailbox a White Elephant? replied on: 3/15/2006 11:21:12 PM quote: People just can't afford to shop there Hm, but people can afford to shop at eg Selfridges designer shops, and have done since the day it opened its doors. The only real difference between Mailbox & Bullring is one of location...Brummies aren't curious enough to go there. BullRing is already on their D line, like the shoppers in George Romero's films. It may sound like rubbish, but Birmingham is one of 2 cities I've been to where the locals don't really know the locality, can't direct you to nearby streets or identify civic squares. If directions are attempted, they are in terms of McDonalds branches in relation to the rotunda.
bounder chairman of the board Rank: Ozzy	Is The Mailbox a White Elephant? replied on: 3/16/2006 1:00:01 PM how many people can actually afford to buy things from the designer bits in Selfridges? surely the food court, paperchase and topshop are the only bits that do any trade. although the mailbox is isolated - when they finish the orion building that might help a tiny bit. what might help more is bulldozing the overpass directly outside.
Russ-L Rank: Jasper	Is The Mailbox a White Elephant? replied on: 3/18/2006 5:56:28 PM I think Bounder's first paragraph there is spot on. I've bought Christmas/Birthday cards from Selfridges, and been tempted by the food but never actually purchased any (although that bit does usually seem quite busy). Whenever wandering around the other bits it does usually seem none-too-busy.
m8e Rank: Ozzy	Is The Mailbox a White Elephant? replied on: 3/18/2006 8:40:30 PM It's when they open a branch of Uncle's there that you'll know things have truly gone tits-up.
falsedog Rank: Jasper	Is The Mailbox a White Elephant? replied on: 3/18/2006 9:17:11 PM quote: how many people can actually afford to buy things from the designer bits in Selfridges? Selfridges are making a mint from their outlet here, believe me. Their expansion plans here were announced less than a year after opening, and that's not from you and Russ L buying next [this?] year's Xmas cards & decorations in the January sales. It's from brisk trade in the cool, expensive stuff departments. Mailbox's decline is from a lack of imagination on the average Brummies's behalf almost wholly. It's the same reason independent cafés, restaurants, record shops, galleries, cinemas, craft shops, clothes shops always seem to fail or struggle here. If anything, the BBC will cause the MB to pick up. My suggestion, emailed to MB management elite was to employ plug ugly shop assistants in the boutiques so as not to instantly alienate people like me on entering the premises. Apparently this is at the decision of each franchise's personnel departments I was told in a straightfaced (but very funny) response.
Russ-L Rank: Jasper	Is The Mailbox a White Elephant? replied on: 3/18/2006 9:24:35 PM Announced less than a year after opening, eh? Have such plans been more recently affirmed? Is any of this online anywhere for easy reference? I'm not (for a second) suggesting you're wrong, of course. And I'm not being sarcy/tossy either, for a change. It just seems to fly in the face of all of my own experience/received knowledge, that's all.
falsedog Rank: Jasper	Is The Mailbox a White Elephant? replied on: 3/19/2006 1:41:19 PM I read it the Estates Gazette ages ago, which is a sort of trade journal for big building projects, not sure about online proof. The big news this time last year for Mailbox was the announcement of a 28 storey tower to be built there which (I think) is now that Cube thing.
Toff	Is The Mailbox a White Elephant? replied on: 3/20/2006 9:17:35 PM Ah! The Cube! I'm not quite sure of it's exact point - I mean more apartments and office space? God! Excitement abounds! I have just spoken via email to the Mailbox management - apparently DKNY is closed because it is waterlogged....yes, a fire broke out in there apparently. Probably the fault of Nicky Clarke.... an explosive peroxide grenade was thrown in the shop setting it alight
bounder chairman of the board Rank: Ozzy	Is The Mailbox a White Elephant? replied on: 3/20/2006 10:05:30 PM Ah, actually the fire was in one of the 'box's other two hairdressers - Obsession - upstairs. That was almost completely gutted & you can still see the smoke damage on the windows.
Gravy Hole Rank: Oddie This message was updated on 3/24/2006 1:35:11 PM by Gravy Hole	Is The Mailbox a White Elephant? replied on: 3/24/2006 12:40:22 PM quote: The centre has lost a string of upmarket shops over the past two years, including Christian Lacroix, Tim Little, Ralph Lauren and Iceberg (which is now a 'nail bar' - a real come-down on the previous tenant). Just what is going on? Why would anyone want to wear, let alone buy, this sort of over-priced international bullshit? It's beyond me. It's all made in Chinese and Indian sweatshops (trust me, I've just been round some textile mills in India) where working conditions are none too good, by UK standards at least. Anyway, it's far cheaper to buy fake goods like Tommy Hilfinger at the saturday boot sale; they all come out of the same factories.
hubgirl	Is The Mailbox a White Elephant? replied on: 4/3/2006 3:17:11 PM I went into Harvey Nichols once. Looked at a Chloe T shirt (which really was just a normal T shirt, albeit with a picture on the front) and it was about £250.00!!!! It's just too expensive, and there aren't enough suckers to go round. Simple as.
KingoftheHeath Rank: Jasper	Is The Mailbox a White Elephant? replied on: 4/4/2006 8:32:26 AM Selfridge's certainly do make their sales: I know folks (from Brum) who buy from there with some degree of regularity... The clothes certainly get their customers, as does the 'home' section... The problem with the Mailbox is - as has been mentioned previously - one of location: it requires a detour away from the rampant consumerist success that is the Bullring...
falsedog Rank: Jasper	Is The Mailbox a White Elephant? replied on: 4/4/2006 7:51:24 PM I sent the following email to the Mailbox for a joke, they never replied so I'll post it here. My idea To: info@mailboxlife.com The Bullring has it's mascot in the form of Laurence Broderick's bronze bull, which often appears on postcards of Birmingham landmarks. Maybe the Mailbox could have a artist create their own landmark sculpture? It should be a strong, memorable image, such as an elephant. There could be a competition to decide what colour it should be etc Does it sound like a good idea? Regards
Barr_Beacon	Is The Mailbox a White Elephant? replied on: 4/8/2006 10:58:39 AM I read in the Mail that the restuarant Paris is closing down. It doesn't look good for this place, does it?
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