Angling direct is in Guildford

[Specihunter]

They have bought tackle fanatics in Guildford. It will open on 2nd September as another Angling Direct. I wonder how big they want to be with any more stores or will the bubble burst and it all come crashing down.

 

[binka]

I feel very uncomfortable about the big name 'retail park' type tackle outlets taking over, where you could be in the same store in any town across the country and barely notice a difference in their offering.

I might be being unfair in that, in that I'm not really that familiar with Angling Direct, but if general commercial models are anything to go by then I'm not really filled with joy about the whole situation.

I would hate to see my local go that way, I suspect that 'live' bait costs would go through the ceiling overnight...

 

[Tee-Cee]

I feel the same way. I believe they have opened a store (even that word makes me cringe) in Slough and I'm in two minds about going to have a look. I use a very small tackle shop that hasn't been in existence very long and I really want to support them, in the hope they can make a go of it.
Perhaps I will pop over a have a look (let's face it I don't have to buy anything) and keep it in mind should I have dire need in the future............

Such a pity to see the old type of tackle shop gradually disappearing, never to be replaced. Stores are hardly conducive to chatting across the counter or passing the time of day with other customers, but that's the way of the world, I guess..

 

[wetthrough]

If the one in Handforth is anything to go by they likely won't have stock of anything you want anyway. Easy enough to find out when they open as they have an on line store stock check tool. Give it a try before you go to see if they've actually got anything you want. Maybe it's just me that wants weird things like fishing line and hooks.

 

[jon atkinson]

They took over North West Angling Centre last year & I gather that Ted Carter's in Preston has recently succumbed too, clearly they are only interested in stores of a certain size, but with an alleged range in excess of 15 000 items, that's not surprising. Personally, I'll continue to put as much business as I can to my local & only use the likes of AD if there is something specific I'm after which he can't source.

 

[S-Kippy]

Before very much longer I fear we shall have a few very specialised tackle shops plus AD and we shall be travelling further and further for bait and bits. Add to that a few retirements and your local tackle shop will very soon not be local at all.

Then AD goes belly up and Ashley buys it.

 

[Jelster]

I've used the Slough store. To be honest, it's like any other tackle shop, just bigger. They had info on local waters etc, and were quite helpful when I was looking at buying some method feeders. Discussed my target species, baits etc and guided me along the way.

If I was buying Carping gear I'd definitely go there as they have a huge selection. You can also buy on line and pick up locally, my only gripe with this is that most things I want to buy they seem to be out of stock of...

 

[markcw]

Most of them will retain the staff from the original shop, I have not been in the one at Handforth or North West Angling for a while, every time I go in to have a look they seem to be stock taking. I use two shops that are local to me, Warrington Angling Centre for bits and bobs, and Warrington Tackle & Guns for bits and bobs & bait, Another one I use about 20 minutes away is Leigh Tackle and Bait, They will price do a better price on most large items of tackle than Angling Direct and Fishing Republic, Angling Direct say they have the best prices when you go on the website, I have seen things cheaper in the smaller tackle shops. Go Outdoors are now stocking Daiwa tackle including the interlastic pole sections, and a good range of groundbait and pellets including Maryuku and Haiths Robin Red

 

[Tee-Cee]

Perhaps they too work on the principle of 'lost leaders' where (for those who don't know) some items are significantly marked down to entice (if that's the correct word) you into the store where you will unwittingly buy others more expensive than you might buy them from your local tackle shop?

I won't name them but some (maybe all?) major high street stores do precisely this...

I will continue using my local tackle shop (if I ever get to go fishing again!) until I'm forced to do otherwise, and anyway I can go into my one and tell them I can get (say) a rod for a certain price online, including postage, and ask if they can get anywhere near it. I don't ask for cheaper, only that they can get close, and it works just fine in this particular shop.................


ps Thanks for the info, Jelster..

 

[markcw]

Angling Direct also have their own brand of tackle called "Adventa", sounds very similar to what Roger Surgay used to sell "Avanti" , this looks like cheap n cheerful copies of main brand items of tackle that can be obtained elsewhere.

 

[Jelster]

Angling Direct also have their own brand of tackle called "Adventa", sounds very similar to what Roger Surgay used to sell "Avanti" , this looks like cheap n cheerful copies of main brand items of tackle that can be obtained elsewhere.

Never realised this. Just looked at a couple of things on their website, and all the Adventa stuff has 5 star reviews, not that I'm a cynic on anything

 

[john step]

I bought one of their Advante bivvies this year. It cost £109 for the one man version. I didn't want to pay the amount the big carp "names" charge as it will only get used a couple of times a year.

I must say its good quality. I have had 4 nights away now in it so far. The only thing it lacks is a hood at the front. The groundsheet velcros in which I like as the underside can be cleaned back at home without the need to get the whole contraption out.

 

[steve2]

If all Advante tackle is 5 star rated why do they bother to stock anything else. It's 5 star when rated against what?
A quick flick through their website shows most tackle is rated at 5 star.

 

[nottskev]

And will be in a few more places too, according to this.

Fishing for business: how Angling Direct tackled the UK high street | Business | The Guardian

The article gives them a good write-up for opening new shops - but the writer doesn't seem to have considered the implications of the supplanting of individually owned shops by a supermarket chain.

 

[steve2]

I did read that and seems to me that they intend the biggest player in the field. Without competition prices will rise. To a shareholder profit is all that matters. The little man as had his day.

 

[binka]

I did read that and seems to me that they intend the biggest player in the field. Without competition prices will rise. To a shareholder profit is all that matters. The little man as had his day.

Absolutely!

If it's any glimmer of hope I worked in an industry for thirty years where this sort of thing was rife, big company after big company bought out the smaller guys but that in turn led to entrepreneurs sweeping in behind them and restarting the cycle.

Big business can be very clever and very dumb, they play to their strengths and often overlook their weakness's when it comes to paying back what they've had to outlay...

It's one of the reasons why big businesses go bang!

Long live the independent...

 

[Specihunter]

I did go to the Wigan store and it was a mess, as they said it was due to them adding more stock so they where changing the store around. And their mail order, because I wouldn't pay the extra for next day it took 5 days just for 2 items. I know it says 2 to 5 days but that was just a joke.

 

[fishcatcher60]

I did go to the Wigan store and it was a mess, as they said it was due to them adding more stock so they where changing the store around. And their mail order, because I wouldn't pay the extra for next day it took 5 days just for 2 items. I know it says 2 to 5 days but that was just a joke.

So they were changing the store round so it would be a mess i suppose and then you order some items and are told 2/5 days delivery and it is delivered within the time frame.
I can't see the problem.

 

[Specihunter]

I wouldn't have minded if it was a big order but it was 2 items and other stores I have order online from scale within 2 days. And yes I wasn't bothered they where changing the store around just took a while to find what I was after.

 

[fishcatcher60]

Still can't see the problem mate when they stated 2/5 days and it arrived in 5 days.
I can't see why the size of order matters either they probably sort out the next day deliveries first as they are the people who pay the most postage.
I just think you are being a bit harsh on them.