Silverprint London Store closed from 18 Feb. 2016

[TheToadMen]

From the Silverprint LTD release:

"Following many months of review, the decision has been made to relocate Silverprint to Warehouse Premises in Poole, Dorset. Unfortunately in relation to this, the London Store at 120 London Road will close this Thursday 18 February at Midday, for the final time."

Understandable but a sad fact as well ....

ON THE MOVE!

15 February 2016

Since 1984 Silverprint has been passionate about supplying Traditional and Alternative photographic products and is pleased to confirm this will certainly continue.

In recent years, many Digital and related products have been introduced into the range and the same passion extends to these lines. This reflects the demands and requests from a wide diversity of customers now being supplied. Silverprint looks forward to continuing to expand the product range offered and as always supporting Photography.

As with the majority of retail businesses, Silverprint could not ignore the importance of Online Sales and has constantly invested in the Website and Social Media, to reach out to customers in the UK and Worldwide.

Today 85% of customers are purchasing either through the Website, via email or phone. However, as a result of the growth in this area of the business, the current premises had proven to become unsuitable to operate from, especially when handling the increased order volumes.

Following many months of review, the decision has been made to relocate Silverprint to Warehouse Premises in Poole, Dorset. Unfortunately in relation to this, the London Store at 120 London Road will close this Thursday 18 February at Midday, for the final time.

Due to the amount of lines offered (currently over 3,500) and the space required, it was considered not possible to retain a smaller Retail Shop in London.

During the relocation, Silverprint will make every effort to limit any disruption to customer orders. The main number 02076200169 and Websitewww.silverprint.co.uk will remain Live throughout the changes and every effort will be made to keep customers updated.

A sincere thank you is extended to all customers who visited the 120 London Road Store. It is hoped that all will support this change and progress to ordering through the Website www.silverprint.co.uk, via email or phone. Customers are also welcome to visit the new Premises, as a Trade Counter will be in operation.

The ultimate aim is to support both existing and potential new customers by further improving the On-Line Customer Service Experience with Silverprint.[\QUOTE]

 

[pdeeh]

Rent and rates in London will have a lot to do with that decision I'd guess

 

[Ricardo Miranda]

Yeap, I received the same email.
Damn, now I don't have a reason to go to Elephant & Castle.

 

[TheToadMen]

Rent and rates in London will have a lot to do with that decision I'd guess

and "85% of customers are purchasing either through the Website, via email or phone" too.

 

[pdeeh]

hmm I wonder if they'll have a sales counter at the Poole warehouse?

 

[Ricardo Miranda]

Rent and rates in London will have a lot to do with that decision I'd guess

Yeap, and less staff will do good... not.
Well, that leaves one brick and mortar shop still selling chemicals.

 

[Ricardo Miranda]

and "85% of customers are purchasing either through the Website, via email or phone" too.

Excuses and more excuses.
They don't want to have the expense.
It is understandable, but just say so.

 

[RobC]

That'll be a big blow to London based darkroom workers. A great pity but that is the way of the world today with the burgeoning online sales market. If people are buying all their materials online it just doesn't make sense to be paying for lease on a London premises when you could save a lot of money operating out of a regional warehouse.

I wonder if there is a connection with Robert White

Yeap, I received the same email.
Damn, now I don't have a reason to go to Elephant & Castle.

Is that a bad thing?

 

[pdeeh]

There's a difference between an excuse and an explanation.

Do you think they're doing out of spite ?

I'd be surprised if the 15% of their sales they make from footfall outweighs the cost of London premises and retail staff

 

[RobC]

People kepp going on about staff but I would rekon most of the retail staff in the shop would be spending most of their time picking product, packing it and booking shipping collections anyway if most of their business is online.
At least the staff will be marginally cheaper in Poole which isn't exactly a cheap place to live. Look at house prices in Sandbanks.

 

[Alan Johnson]

http://www.processuk.net/
Here is a few stops away on the underground.

 

[Ricardo Miranda]

There's a difference between an excuse and an explanation.

Do you think they're doing out of spite ?

I'd be surprised if the 15% of their sales they make from footfall outweighs the cost of London premises and retail staff

It isn't so much the added cost, but the loss of a marketing presence just outside an University campus.
You knew they are located next to an Arts college, didn't you?
It is the promotion and sale of film and other materials right next door to a large group of young people for whom these materials are a new reality.
In that shop they could see what film is about. Now, there aren't that many shops left where people can see and touch film before buying. It is only "virtual".
That is another loss not only for Londoners, but for all.

 

[Ricardo Miranda]

http://www.processuk.net/
Here is a few stops away on the underground.

Thanks Alan!
They are my main supplier for over year now.
A very nice shop and fantastic staff.

 

[pdeeh]

It is the promotion and sale of film and other materials right next door to a large group of young people for whom these materials are a new reality.
In that shop they could see what film is about. Now, there aren't that many shops left where people can see and touch film before buying. It is only "virtual".
That is another loss not only for Londoners, but for all.

I'm not saying it isn't a shame, Ricardo, simply that it is perfectly understandable.

And the proportion of film shooters formed by the very small numbers of local arts students must be really tiny compared to the number of us who are already only able to source materials online. I doubt it has the impact you seem to think it does. But then we are both giving out opinions here based solely on belief rather than any hard evidence.

And to repeat, I do think it's a shame. But then again, I'd rather they were still in business with only an online presence rather than no presence at all/

 

[RobC]

It isn't so much the added cost, but the loss of a marketing presence just outside an University campus.
You knew they are located next to an Arts college, didn't you?
It is the promotion and sale of film and other materials right next door to a large group of young people for whom these materials are a new reality.
In that shop they could see what film is about. Now, there aren't that many shops left where people can see and touch film before buying. It is only "virtual".
That is another loss not only for Londoners, but for all.

Bournemouth has a University and the arts campus is in Poole and runs degrees in photography.
http://search.ucas.com/search/provi...iderQuery=&AcpId=&Location=poole&SubjectCode=

 

[Ricardo Miranda]

I'm not saying it isn't a shame, Ricardo, simply that it is perfectly understandable.

And the proportion of film shooters formed by the very small numbers of local arts students must be really tiny compared to the number of us who are already only able to source materials online. I doubt it has the impact you seem to think it does. But then we are both giving out opinions here based solely on belief rather than any hard evidence.

And to repeat, I do think it's a shame. But then again, I'd rather they were still in business with only an online presence rather than no presence at all/

I agree with "still in business".
The "hard evidence" is one that other people and I have seen: in September-October they always run out of Foma films, because most of these films are bought by the students.
Another aspect is that there are some of us who prefer for several reasons to buy at a shop, be it unreliable post or just an excuse to stretch ones legs.

 

[Ricardo Miranda]

Bournemouth has a University and the arts campus is in Poole and runs degrees in photography.
http://search.ucas.com/search/provi...iderQuery=&AcpId=&Location=poole&SubjectCode=

Thanks Rob!
Bournemouth also has a nice lab in "Snaps Photo Services".
And to answer to your earlier question, there is a nice street market in Elephant & Castle.
It is another reason to go there. But, it was nice to get supplies on your way.

 

[Alan Johnson]

Dead Link Removed
Some competition.

 

[Ricardo Miranda]

Dead Link Removed
Some competition.

They tend to be more expensive and I don't believe they sell raw chemicals.
Good selection of films though.

 

[Black Dog]

Mr Cad are just round the corner from Victoria station btw.

 

[Taraxacum]

After having used Silverprint for over 25 years for various supplies, due to living in the North of England I have never been to their shop so I am one of the 85% I guess. I had always hope to get to their shop on the few times I've been down to London but it's never been open when I've been down there.

Like others here, I am sad to hear their shop will be going, but glad to hear they are moving with the times which will hopefully keep them going for many years to come supplying what are these days, minority supplies.

 

[NJH]

hmm I wonder if they'll have a sales counter at the Poole warehouse?

I am thinking the same thing. I have been to Robert Whites in its various guises including after the last move or transformation, also Snapsphotoservices down that way. This could be really fantastic to have such an outfit on the door step for those of us down this way. Driven over to Firstcall but most industrial estates around Poole will be much closer.

 

[Ricardo Miranda]

After having used Silverprint for over 25 years for various supplies, due to living in the North of England I have never been to their shop so I am one of the 85% I guess. I had always hope to get to their shop on the few times I've been down to London but it's never been open when I've been down there.

Like others here, I am sad to hear their shop will be going, but glad to hear they are moving with the times which will hopefully keep them going for many years to come supplying what are these days, minority supplies.

What "moving with the times"?
So, if some idiot started to tell other idiots to jump from the cliffs of Dover, would that be "moving with the times"?
Sometimes, "going forward" is actually moving back?
Remember Concord? No more 3 hours to NYC trips.

 

[bence8810]

I've had the pleasure to visit the store last year while on business in London - they were very friendly and helped me get a VAT refund since I was taking what I bought overseas. Shame to see them needing to give up the retail space but understandable.

Ben

 

[ozphoto]

They were a great place to visit whenever I ventured back to London. Sad that they are relocating, but on the bright side - they aren't shutting their doors permanently!!

Cash talks and if they are paying for a space that isn't being visited often enough in person by buyers, the decision seems fair. You go into business to make $$$ and like every other business out there, you try to save costs wherever you can. With over 3,500 lines in stock, that's some serious cash sitting on the shelf that you've outlaid well before it gets sold.

I will readily admit, I love to visit camera stores in person, but unfortunately that comes at a cost to the business and if the lack of foot traffic is denting their bottom line (i.e. it's very small) vs. their online sales it's a no-brainer.

I'm just happy they're still operating, sadly not in London, but at least film lovers will still have a wonderful source of supplies for the foreseeable future. If they have walk-in sales from the warehouse that would be great - I used to buy all my Agfa supplies that way in Adelaide, direct from the distributor and it was great to walk in and see it stack floor to ceiling every time I visited; used to make me purchase more than I actually needed!!