More retail uncertainty for Haverfordwest as administrators appointed to Julian Graves

3:01pm Tuesday 3rd July 2012 in News

Difficult financial conditions could claim the life of yet another of Haverfordwest's stores as health food store Julian Graves goes into administration but remains trading.

Chris Farrington, Neville Kahn and Lee Manning of Deloitte, the business advisory firm, were appointed joint administrators to Julian Graves Limited, a food retailer specialising in dried fruit and nuts yesterday afternoon.

Haverfordwest's Bridge Street store is one of 189 across the UK.

Deloitte said that the company has been adversely affected by the tough economic climate, in particular, the ongoing pressure on consumer spending, a competitive high street trading environment, and rising commodity prices.

Chris Farrington, joint administrator and restructuring services partner at Deloitte, said: “Our priority is to assess the financial position of Julian Graves and consider what options are available. In the meantime, all stores will continue to trade as normal and all employees will continue to be paid.”

Comments(10)

A Northerner in Pembrokeshire says...
3:24pm Tue 3 Jul 12

It seems as if getting the larger companies to the outskirts of town has had a major effect on the town centre stores. This needs to be redressed to create more footflow ASAP before we loose more of our High Street.

I don't think that it is all about the recession.

Does anybody have any ideas as to how this can increase that all important footflow? What would make you shop in the town centre?

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conspiracy says...
5:10pm Tue 3 Jul 12

Holland and Barrett bought out Julian Graves recently, was it all about killing off the competition and setting it as a loss against their tax.

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Hyper-injunctions says...
6:04pm Tue 3 Jul 12

I thought you'd love Holland & Barrett Pete, they sell herbal stuff to the gullible don't they?
Is that where you can buy those cancer curing leaves?

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martin9325 says...
11:43am Wed 4 Jul 12

As this is a chain its administration has nothing to do with out of centre stores in Haverfordwest but more to do with the overall financial situation, and the fact that they are in what might be called the luxury end of the food chain. However, having said that, if people prefer out of centre shopping where they get free parking, and those shops and the Internet are getting the trade, then those in the centre must be allowed to die. One thing is for certain, you cannot keep the so called High Street alive artificially. Therefore the question should be what happens to the buildings when the shops close? Many shops in Haverfordwest are in what were originally residential buildings which have been vandalised over the years by adding shop windows. Maybe landlords should be encouraged to convert those shops back into residential use.

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conspiracy says...
12:34pm Wed 4 Jul 12

It is sad that any business fails, I found Julian Graves product range decrease while prices greatly increased after the buy out by Holland and Barrett. If this shop does sadly close, anyone interested in obtaining Herbal and food supplements We have two great shops in Haverfordwest, the Ark in Quay street, and the Spice box in Dew st, both stock excellent products. : )

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A Northerner in Pembrokeshire says...
2:08pm Wed 4 Jul 12

Martin, a couple of valid points in your statement there, and to a degree I agree with you.

Your initial point about the Julian Graves situation specifically I agree with it is a national issue for them, and probably not effected by Haverfordwest alone.

With regard to letting the High street die, I'm not sure I agree with you. If we take Haverfordwest in particular there could be free parking offered in the town centre if that is one of the main things. I believe if you look at how Bridge St and Riverside shopping centre has changed over the passed few years, the majority of the places left are charity shops, or low end bargain shops such as the poundlands etc. With the bigger stores relocating out of town this has driven the foot flow in the town down, to the detriment of stores like Ocky White, and the indoor market. These things need to be addressed.

Yes trade will be effected as buying habits change to the online, but the areas need to support the town centre, specifically the local stores who have built up their business with service, and personality along with products. If we loose this it will be to the detriment of everyone, and yes the question then comes what do we replace them with?

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William 1 says...
9:06pm Wed 4 Jul 12

Well I live in Haverfordwest, I think I went into Julian Graves only the one time, just too expensive for me!

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i give up says...
10:51pm Wed 4 Jul 12

Sadly......Haverford
west missed the boat years ago...........Carmar
then always had more to offer............and the only reason I may "pop" into H'west to shop is that now it has an M&S....and whilst I'm there and Boots and Laura Ashley are next door I nip into them!!! Sorry but H'west hasn't got the lovely little independant shops Carmarthen has...........or a "proper market"

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i give up says...
10:52pm Wed 4 Jul 12

Sadly......Haverford
west missed the boat years ago...........Carmar
then always had more to offer............and the only reason I may "pop" into H'west to shop is that now it has an M&S....and whilst I'm there and Boots and Laura Ashley are next door I nip into them!!! Sorry but H'west hasn't got the lovely little independant shops Carmarthen has...........or a "proper market"

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Qwerty123abc says...
4:59pm Thu 5 Jul 12

Odd, as H&B have announced a 19% increase in profits as sister company goes in to administration!

In regards to Haverfordwest, it will be difficult to revitalise as
a) the shops are way too small, that’s why the retailers want to go outside of town and
b) all the free parking gets eaten up by those that work in town (and we know, even if you provide free parking, people will still park in town as its closer to their work *cough county hall*). Glad to see more short stay spaces down Quay Street

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