Villa shop in New St now closed

[dave.woodhall]

I've seen lots of other teams' shirts and tat in airports around the world, but never any Villa stuff. Perhaps a shop is too much, but at least a presence in a tourist tat outlet might work. Most major airports have something that represents the culture of that city or region - Hamburg airport, for example, flogs St Pauli and HSV stuff. I understand it's different with Villa, Brum airport (which is poxy) and the city of Birmingham generally.

There isn't a tourist outlet at Birmingham airport. The closest you have is a JD Sports, which I think sells Villa shirts.

[Jimbo]

That doesn't surprise me.

[dave.woodhall]

There was one, but it closed because it never, ever had any customers. It's Joe & the Juice now.

[Rioch is King]

I've seen Villa kits on sale in the sports shop at Luton airport in the past but not this season. They had Luton town shirts in there recently.

[Jimbo]

 I totally understand that. There is no narrative or 'brand' to sell. 

[dave.woodhall]

Either that or people would rather buy over-priced smoothies.

[Dave]

There was one, but it closed because it never, ever had any customers. It's Joe & the Juice now.

Sounds like a terrible American morning radio show.

[andrew08]

Depends how much it's losing. Or if the landlords are trying to screw us because we're Villa and they thought we'd pay it.

It's nothing to do with the Landlords.

The rent was £205,000 pa, the business rates approx £72,000 pa and a small service charge - less than £5k pa.

There was a few years left on the lease with a legal right to renew at market rent.

This was purely a commercial decision.

And a correct one then. At those costs I'd be surprised if that shop has ever made the club a penny. Another one of our previous owners vanity projects.

[dave.woodhall]

Depends how much it's losing. Or if the landlords are trying to screw us because we're Villa and they thought we'd pay it.

It's nothing to do with the Landlords.

The rent was £205,000 pa, the business rates approx £72,000 pa and a small service charge - less than £5k pa.

There was a few years left on the lease with a legal right to renew at market rent.

This was purely a commercial decision.

And a correct one then. At those costs I'd be surprised if that shop has ever made the club a penny. Another one of our previous owners vanity projects.

To be fair to all concerned, when the first shop opened Mark Ansell said that if it broke even they'd be happy - the main idea was to provide an additional service. I can't remember when it moved to New Street but the general concensus then was that it was good to be in a more high-profile place. Times and shopping patterns change.

[Chico Hamilton III]

Depends how much it's losing. Or if the landlords are trying to screw us because we're Villa and they thought we'd pay it.

It's nothing to do with the Landlords.

The rent was £205,000 pa, the business rates approx £72,000 pa and a small service charge - less than £5k pa.

There was a few years left on the lease with a legal right to renew at market rent.

This was purely a commercial decision.

And a correct one then. At those costs I'd be surprised if that shop has ever made the club a penny. Another one of our previous owners vanity projects.

It's mad innit. £205,000 per year rent is a lot of money to be spunking up the wall yet we pay that every month to keep Gabby in laughing gas and Lamborghinis.   

[Clampy]

Depends how much it's losing. Or if the landlords are trying to screw us because we're Villa and they thought we'd pay it.

It's nothing to do with the Landlords.

The rent was £205,000 pa, the business rates approx £72,000 pa and a small service charge - less than £5k pa.

There was a few years left on the lease with a legal right to renew at market rent.

This was purely a commercial decision.

And a correct one then. At those costs I'd be surprised if that shop has ever made the club a penny. Another one of our previous owners vanity projects.

To be fair to all concerned, when the first shop opened Mark Ansell said that it it broke even they'd be happy - the main idea was to provide an additional service. I can't remember when it moved to New Street but the general concensus then was that it was good to be in a more high-profile place. Times and shopping patterns change.

I was just trying to remember myself when it moved. It's been there a while.

[LeeS]

Depends how much it's losing. Or if the landlords are trying to screw us because we're Villa and they thought we'd pay it.

It's nothing to do with the Landlords.

The rent was £205,000 pa, the business rates approx £72,000 pa and a small service charge - less than £5k pa.

There was a few years left on the lease with a legal right to renew at market rent.

This was purely a commercial decision.

And a correct one then. At those costs I'd be surprised if that shop has ever made the club a penny. Another one of our previous owners vanity projects.

To be fair to all concerned, when the first shop opened Mark Ansell said that it it broke even they'd be happy - the main idea was to provide an additional service. I can't remember when it moved to New Street but the general concensus then was that it was good to be in a more high-profile place. Times and shopping patterns change.

I was just trying to remember myself when it moved. It's been there a while.

Before I moved to that there London I worked in the city centre and back then the Villa shop was in the Pavilions. I moved in 2008

[Chris Smith]

I bought my grandson a kit from there just before Christmas, there were more staff than customers even though the road outside was packed. Shopping habits have changed, both for merchandise and tickets, so not really surprised by the closure.

[PeterWithesShin]

I think it was 2009 but not going to swear to it.

[darren woolley]

I was in there on Saturday and got talking to the man who works behind the ticket counter upstairs he said he was being moved to the ticket office at Villa Park.