The local tackle shop.

[chrisfromthevalley]

I believe that it is coming back, Mark, and will come back more - doing your shopping at smaller, more local outlets rather than opting for a "Leisure Experience / Retail Therapy" trek to some glitzy, out-of-town, golfcart required to cope with the sheer acreage, Consumer World.

As for local tackleshops, I sadly had to drop mine, once a very fine shop run by one of England's greatest coarse, float and barbel fishers, in 2007 after well over forty years of visiting it often, spending regular (and sometimes some big-ticket) money and generally offering and giving it and its staff a lot of my affection and word-of-mouth-to-other-Anglers support - serially cheeked, then finally so grossly insulted by a shopboy (whom some local Spessie Denizens and Angling Travel Monsters had clearly nobbled) that many another man would not only only have summarily leapt the counter and pulped him on the spot but also smashed the place up on his way out. Not me, however, not being into such chestbeating stuff.

I walk past the place now and again, thinking of the old days and its Great Angler owner, when it really was somewhere to visit, chat and shop. Pity.

don't go there now paul, back in the 80's, i used to bus it there changing buses twice, but not now.

 

[stu_the_blank]

I believe that it is coming back, Mark, and will come back more - doing your shopping at smaller, more local outlets

I hope that you are correct Paul, but the evidence of my two eyes tells me otherwise. Another mega mall opened in London a couple of weeks ago and most people will opt for price and convenience for most of their shopping. Specialist stores may last longer but the (inter)net is closing. For all the kind words on this thread, how many honestly pay more to shop locally for items that may be 50% cheaper online? (I do by the way).

 

[Mart Smith]

Paul

instead of walking away would you have been better to ask to speak to the owner/manager and tell him/her just what the shopboy had said to you and ask what action would be taken

If I was the manager/owner I'd want to know if my staff were putting buyers off

Our local gun shop has one such character, known as their "sales prevention officer!" Unfortunately he's the son of the owner!!!

 

[Lord Paul of Sheffield]

Our local gun shop has one such character, known as their "sales prevention officer!" Unfortunately he's the son of the owner!!!

In that casev
I'd tell the owner and his son just what I thought of the shop and find another

 

[chrisfromthevalley]

Our local gun shop has one such character, known as their "sales prevention officer!" Unfortunately he's the son of the owner!!!

back 25 years ago, i had a gun and tackle shop near me, when his dad ran it,
it was decent and helpful until his grumpy unhelpful son took over, it closed.

 

[mark brailsford 2]

I try and buy from both shops and the internet (I only use a few trusted sites and never ebay) but tend to buy all my main tackle and bait from the local shops and just a few items a year online. What I like are local shops that do online, so when you cannot get into town for some reason you can get gear sent to you...best of both, so they say!

mark

 

[Tee-Cee]

I've had some great tackle shops over the years starting with Fred Bullers shop near Edgware and Frames tackle in the same area. These days tackle in my area have gone down hill IMO; First Kings tackle in Maidenhead changed hands when Phil King sold up and then Marsh tackle in Downley moved and seemed to reduce size overnight.

I now travel to Harefield for my gear simply because they have a great range and people who offer help and advice. Unfortunately I cannot do this for maggots and casters and if I want the latter they have to be 'ordered' at Kings which is hardly ideal.....It's all a bit messy for a simple thing such as bait.....................

Recently, in buying two new rods I found the best deal online and then decided to ask a local shop what they could do on price. I was very suprised to be told if I bought the online details in they would match the price-I was amazed!
I went to Kings recently for some bits on a Saturday morning around 10.30 and the place was empty the whole time I was in the shop-not a good sign IMHO...

I know things change but I would love a 'Peter Jacobs' type shop just down the road!!

 

[bails]

My local tackle shop closes in the winter, doesn't open until 9.30 in summer and closes promptly at 5pm

What uses that when you work all week and want to be on the bank at 8am on a Saturday morning. I buy my maggots and other bait on line now for convenience. As long as it's ordered before 2pm on Thursday, I have it delivered on Friday.

 

[Carlos]

I love going to my local tackle shops. Anglers Base in Penge London of all places and also the angling shop in Biggin Hill.

Anglers base is very very popular and they have a number of people working in the shop who are all keen fisherman and members of different Kent clubs. He is not cheap compared to the internet, but if you haggle you will get a reasonable price.

I don't think I have bought a single piece of tackle off the internet, I just love going to the shop so much. After all, that terminal tackle is not primarily there to catch the fish is it?

 

[paulvjwhite]

used to use a well known tackle shop in turnford herts they moved to bigger premises several years ago since doing so they lost their friendly personal approach when last visited shop on several occasions never had a hello,thank-you,caught anything? now use another tackle shop in hoddesdon where i feel they value my custom

 

[chrisfromthevalley]

I've had some great tackle shops over the years starting with Fred Bullers shop near Edgware and Frames tackle in the same area. These days tackle in my area have gone down hill IMO; First Kings tackle in Maidenhead changed hands when Phil King sold up and then Marsh tackle in Downley moved and seemed to reduce size overnight.

I now travel to Harefield for my gear simply because they have a great range and people who offer help and advice. Unfortunately I cannot do this for maggots and casters and if I want the latter they have to be 'ordered' at Kings which is hardly ideal.....It's all a bit messy for a simple thing such as bait.....................

Recently, in buying two new rods I found the best deal online and then decided to ask a local shop what they could do on price. I was very suprised to be told if I bought the online details in they would match the price-I was amazed!
I went to Kings recently for some bits on a Saturday morning around 10.30 and the place was empty the whole time I was in the shop-not a good sign IMHO...

I know things change but I would love a 'Peter Jacobs' type shop just down the road!!

went to maidenhead bait and tackle some time back at cookham, i wasn't impressed.
marsh has moved to loadwater.
kings have a newish store in iver.

 

[freebird7]

I do use my local tackle shops but the selection in my area is very poor so I do use alot of online retailers. The main tackle shop near me is Angling Direct which is basically a supermarket for tackle and gear with pretty much no customer service skiils. If you want something its grunt and point.
The other two tackle shops are discount stores offering cut price gear from unknown brands along with the likes of Fladen and other budget brands. Great for some products PVA and bait etc but not so great for rods reels or end tackle.

 

[mark brailsford 2]

There is a lot of tackle shops that don't deserve custom. One shop in Preston city centre really surprised me! They are supposed to be one of the best in Lancashire, but when you go in their very large shop you are greeted by a bunch of ignorant sales people that just want to stand about talking to ''certain'' customers and ignoring the rest!
these are the shops that will, IMHO, vanish from the high street.

Mark

 

[Tee-Cee]

davefromthecolnevalley (thats a long name!).....Marsh have sold up to what I think is now called Bucks Tackle or something similar. I've been once or twice but it didn't fill me with enthusiasm although the change-over had only just taken place and it looked a little devoid of tackle so perhaps its improved!

Maidenhead Tackle; Okay for the odd bits and pieces (an excellent choice of loose Aresley Bombs for example) but I do worry when half the shop sells bikes etc. Never seems to be a shop where you can stand and chat about fishing...Similarly Kings...

No, for a good choice and assistance I have to travel down the M40!

 

[chrisfromthevalley]

davefromthecolnevalley (thats a long name!).....Marsh have sold up to what I think is now called Bucks Tackle or something similar. I've been once or twice but it didn't fill me with enthusiasm although the change-over had only just taken place and it looked a little devoid of tackle so perhaps its improved!

Maidenhead Tackle; Okay for the odd bits and pieces (an excellent choice of loose Aresley Bombs for example) but I do worry when half the shop sells bikes etc. Never seems to be a shop where you can stand and chat about fishing...Similarly Kings...

No, for a good choice and assistance I have to travel down the M40!

harefield is 5 minutes from me, i go there.
remember stows in slough?
if you want the best service, go and see Neil at amersham angling.

 

[Tee-Cee]

I have been to Amersham Tackle and I agree its okay BUT, again, it just doesn't have the buzz of Harefield! Nice people at Amersham though and helpful.....

No, I have to bite the bullet and travel to Harefield but make sure I have a complete shopping list before I go!!

 

[bigcol]

davefromthecolnevalley (thats a long name!).....Marsh have sold up to what I think is now called Bucks Tackle or something similar. I've been once or twice but it didn't fill me with enthusiasm although the change-over had only just taken place and it looked a little devoid of tackle so perhaps its improved!

Maidenhead Tackle; Okay for the odd bits and pieces (an excellent choice of loose Aresley Bombs for example) but I do worry when half the shop sells bikes etc. Never seems to be a shop where you can stand and chat about fishing...Similarly Kings...

No, for a good choice and assistance I have to travel down the M40!

I've found them really helpful.

I got back in last summer after a 25 year break. Small purchases at first.

The advice and banter in the shop is brilliant.

I have since spent a lot in there and am happy and proud to have done so. By the way, there is no bike section any more, it is all fishing tackle.

 

[Michael Hastings]

There's a very nice, new tackle shop just opened at Copdock Mill in Suffolk....apparently

 

[ronbc5]

Last time I went into my local tackle shop for a pint of reds the bloke behind the counter noticed my Greys bait box lid was missing a clip he no sooner went out back and found a spare one to replace it, No charge. Now that makes me want to use them for bigger bits of kit in the future. well played that man !!

 

[christina21maria]

Remember that many of the online retailers are actually local tackle shops. They do have overheads, but they have invested in their business to move with the times and ensure they keep profitable via additional online sales.

I am totally agree with this line !
there are so many of the online retailers are actually local tackle shops & its mean this that they're doing the right business like others & additional online sales !