Specihunter
Well-known member
If reports are true fishing republic has gone into administration.
So the bubble has burst
- Thread starter Specihunter
- Start date
sam vimes
Well-known member
I can't say that I'm surprised, nor can I pretend to be much other than utterly indifferent. Beyond those that took advantage of stupid deals, that came about because they were in obvious financial difficulties, I don't think it's a big deal for anglers at all. The only folks I feel sorry for are the employees.
I feel much the same as Sam, however I will add that personally speaking I feel a much bigger loss is the dismise of the local tackle shops.
Now here's where I turn into Mr doom and gloom, I think as time move on and more of us oldies goes to see our maker, fishing will become more and more of a niche market/sport. Fishing business closing, this is only the start I fear
Now here's where I turn into Mr doom and gloom, I think as time move on and more of us oldies goes to see our maker, fishing will become more and more of a niche market/sport. Fishing business closing, this is only the start I fear
John Keane
Well-known member
What was not to like? They sold good stuff at good prices in many retail outlets as well as online. I bought three Shimano Baitrunners, a MAP Meat Cutter and other gear from their Crewe branch. Shame about the liquidation, one less choice for the angler.
Where I live I have two 'tackle shop's within seven miles,both with poor varieties of gear,mainly because I believe trade isn't big enough to warrant stocking,the nearest decent shop is around 18 miles,of which there are four,but none of these compare to what we used to have years ago,Alan Brown's at Hitchin,Leslie's of Luton,Dumpletons,Anglers Corner,all within a shortish distance and with a good selection of tackle to choose from,nowadays I can't get to see hardly anything rod and reel wise,so buying either is a very big and miss affair,luckily I'm blessed with some decent gear so won't need to enter a holy grail situation before I pass on.
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Tee-Cee
Senior Member
At least you have somewhere to go for bait if your local shops stock it, witty.....
In my case I had one half decent shop in Cookham (Maidenhead Tackle) but they closed down and had two of the staff not decided to go it alone with a small shop, I really don't know where I would buy bait. They seem to be holding their own as they are situated on a fishery, but even so only one of them runs the business during winter and the other works elsewhere to make a living. I support them as much as possible by buying bait but as they say to me, you cannot make a living selling maggots, nor is my £50/month spend!
My only other choice is driving the M40 to Hillingdon with a 25 mile round trip....
Wasn't it FR who only recently opened a new shop in Slough, or am I getting confused with another outlet?
In my case I had one half decent shop in Cookham (Maidenhead Tackle) but they closed down and had two of the staff not decided to go it alone with a small shop, I really don't know where I would buy bait. They seem to be holding their own as they are situated on a fishery, but even so only one of them runs the business during winter and the other works elsewhere to make a living. I support them as much as possible by buying bait but as they say to me, you cannot make a living selling maggots, nor is my £50/month spend!
My only other choice is driving the M40 to Hillingdon with a 25 mile round trip....
Wasn't it FR who only recently opened a new shop in Slough, or am I getting confused with another outlet?
peter crabtree
AKA Simon, 1953 - 2022 (RIP)
It's Angling direct in Slough, Tony.
I support my nearest shop by buying maggots,but I find it hard to buy anything else from him,as he doesn't stock the hooks I like,lines,shot,cattys,rod rest heads anything,what do you do,buy something you don't like,not me I'm afraid,he hasn't got a decent reel in the shop,imo my rods are far better than what he has on his racks,he rarely had the same boilies/pellets twice,so if you find one you like,you won't get it again,p!ss poor tbh.
Keith M
Well-known member
My local Angling shop does stock some decent fishing equipment and I pay a visit to them for my sundries and the occasional larger items as often as I can, but they only seem to restock every 2 or 3 months so when things start to run out they are not replaced for ages and ages and I’m forced to go elsewhere quite a lot of the time.
And because my other nearest shop caters mainly for the Carp angler I often have no choice but to buy some of my smaller items off of the internet.
I do buy some of my larger items off the internet however I always check to see if my local tackle shop can get close to the prices that I find on the internet first and they’re often willing to match or get fairly close to the internet prices.
Keith
And because my other nearest shop caters mainly for the Carp angler I often have no choice but to buy some of my smaller items off of the internet.
I do buy some of my larger items off the internet however I always check to see if my local tackle shop can get close to the prices that I find on the internet first and they’re often willing to match or get fairly close to the internet prices.
Keith
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rayner
Well-known member
I suppose that I could call myself blessed with the abundance of tackle shops within easy striking distance.
Three of those close by all have a good stocking level.
If tackle shops don't stock what you need most of them will source items of tackle. Apart from Shimano. Apparently if a shop wants to be an agent for Shimano they have to hold a 10,000 pound stock minimum or Shimano just aren't interested. I suppose other companies could have a similar practise.
10,000 pound is a big layout for a tiny business. I know Guru insist on a prime location for their stand that holds their items in the shop I use. They even chose the place in the shop where the stand should be placed.
Three of those close by all have a good stocking level.
If tackle shops don't stock what you need most of them will source items of tackle. Apart from Shimano. Apparently if a shop wants to be an agent for Shimano they have to hold a 10,000 pound stock minimum or Shimano just aren't interested. I suppose other companies could have a similar practise.
10,000 pound is a big layout for a tiny business. I know Guru insist on a prime location for their stand that holds their items in the shop I use. They even chose the place in the shop where the stand should be placed.
Jim Crosskey 2
Well-known member
Likewise, feel very sorry for the staff, especially at this time of year.
It does make me wonder though about the viability of a limited company offering shares, as a chain specialising in fishing tackle? It's hard to see the tackle industry exactly "booming"... and certainly not in the traditional retail space. There's still Angling Direct doing the same thing I think (and interestingly their share price has just tumbled, probably on the back of this news) but the thing is, when a company is funded this way it needs to always have the capacity to grow... otherwise investors will take their money out and put it somewhere else.
Interesting comments about local shops and the ever increasing distance. I'm very lucky to have two relatively good tackle shops within a 10 minute drive. However, I don't but much more than bait and a few bits of terminal gear. I do tend to buy rods online (some second hand on ebay, or new there or from other shops). I'm tight and I like a bargain, and rarely are those requirements met when it comes to the rods on display in my local shops.
It does make me wonder though about the viability of a limited company offering shares, as a chain specialising in fishing tackle? It's hard to see the tackle industry exactly "booming"... and certainly not in the traditional retail space. There's still Angling Direct doing the same thing I think (and interestingly their share price has just tumbled, probably on the back of this news) but the thing is, when a company is funded this way it needs to always have the capacity to grow... otherwise investors will take their money out and put it somewhere else.
Interesting comments about local shops and the ever increasing distance. I'm very lucky to have two relatively good tackle shops within a 10 minute drive. However, I don't but much more than bait and a few bits of terminal gear. I do tend to buy rods online (some second hand on ebay, or new there or from other shops). I'm tight and I like a bargain, and rarely are those requirements met when it comes to the rods on display in my local shops.
JJW
Member
The days of a small tackle shop in every town seem to be gone.
There used to be 3 tackle shops within 5 minutes' drive of my house.
2 have closed and the other is now "carp only".
There used to be 3 tackle shops within 5 minutes' drive of my house.
2 have closed and the other is now "carp only".
sam vimes
Well-known member
That may well be true, but the likes of Fishing Republic and Angling Direct are at least partly responsible for that.
I believe that the multi-outlet groups, that are also on-line, are not the way forward. I suspect smaller independents in smaller towns bolstered by bigger mail order types in cities/larger towns is a more viable and sustainable model. Perhaps the way Fishing Republic have gone will make overly ambitious investors think twice before trying to dominate the tackle market. I'm not remotely convinced that anglers really want that kind of retail environment.
chrissh
Well-known member
I can only go by my local angling direct which is 90% carp, 7% course & match, 3% fly & predator
Living were I do I’m blessed with 15 or more tackle shop to visit within 10 miles from home
Angling Direct
Bankside Tackle
Billy Clarkes
Decathlon
D J Angling
Dawson's Fishing Tackle
Fishing App Tackle and Bait
Intake Angling Supplies
Kerfoot's Fishing Tackle
Leegem Angling Centre
Mosborough Tackle Box
Sean's fishing tackle and bait
Six AM Tackle & Bait
The Bait Bar
Woodseats Angling
Living were I do I’m blessed with 15 or more tackle shop to visit within 10 miles from home
Angling Direct
Bankside Tackle
Billy Clarkes
Decathlon
D J Angling
Dawson's Fishing Tackle
Fishing App Tackle and Bait
Intake Angling Supplies
Kerfoot's Fishing Tackle
Leegem Angling Centre
Mosborough Tackle Box
Sean's fishing tackle and bait
Six AM Tackle & Bait
The Bait Bar
Woodseats Angling
flightliner
Well-known member
Should'nt that be sixteen Chrissh?
Have you included both shops at Aston springs?
Have you included both shops at Aston springs?
chrissh
Well-known member
Forgot Aston springs & Clowne Angling Supplies take it up to 17
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rayner
Well-known member
It's true Chris these shops are not too far away from us. There are a couple more as well.
Realistically there are many you mentioned I will not use.
I only use the one with another two if my preferred shop has not got what I need.
It's easy to be picky when we have so many.
Specihunter
Well-known member
Jd sports have apparently saved fishing republic