Bendles stationary store leaving Newton Abbot town centre

By matt2009 | Monday, December 21, 2009, 12:11

One of Newton Abbot’s most iconic shops, Bendles, will be leaving the town centre after being a mainstay for more than 40 years.

The store that sells all things stationary will be re-locating to Olympus Business Park, Kingsteignton.

Several local media reported the sad news today. The store will now be amalgamating with the Torquay-based print design shop Print Plus.

The business outgrowing its premises was cited as the main reason for the move. Although there was the option to move to a larger site in within Newton Abbot town – this was not deemed ‘the way forward for the business’.

Thankfully it’s been reported that the shops six full-time and two part-time members will still have jobs.

I asked several locals this morning their thoughts on the move:

‘It’s very sad, it’s always been one of my favourite shops,’ said Jenny, a frequent town centre shopper. ‘I don’t think people will be wanting to go to Kingsteignton. They’ll just try WH Smith or somewhere like that.’

Barry, who regularly uses Bendles, agrees: ‘Yeah, I won’t be travelling to Kingsteignton now. At least the staff are staying though,’ he said.

Full story: http://www.thisissouthdevon.co.uk/news/Shop-farewell-town-centre-40-years/article-1629281-detail/article.html

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Comments

Well I have seldom been to Bendles in Newton Abbot, and that was years ago. In fact I had forgotten all about it - but if I remember rightly they had quite a small range on display. I'll be first through the door now at the new location. Its about time we had an accessible stationery store. In the past I have always gone to Staples in Torquay or Exeter. As far as I am concerned excellent news, and thanks Newtonabbotpeople for letting me know this is happening.

By Ginny48 at 11:42 on 19/01/10
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Iconic local shops are regrettably being lost everywhere due to high overheads and the loss of business to out of town shopping centres. I understand that customers are finding it easy to get to the new Bendles in Kingsteignton and are impressed with the location, service and the stock - good for them and good for us.

By guilder at 11:04 on 19/01/10
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You're both right - obviously it's better that Bendles moves up the road than closes - but it's just hard to take for some people that town centres are not what they once were. And Bendles was an iconic shop in Newton Abbot so in that way it's a bit of a shame.

By barbygirl1 at 15:16 on 08/01/10
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I applaud the forward thinking to move Bendles to an accessible site. It will be much easier to park and load and they will have a furniture showroom and improved print and design facilities. No doubt they will also be able to keep more important products in stock as I am not good at keeping an eye on my stationery usage. Those who criticise Bendles move may wish to consider some of the other options such as closing completely which in this economic climate is a possibility for all businesses facing rising costs. We should applaud Bendles decision to continue to invest in the local economy and support them for doing so."

By guilder at 12:54 on 08/01/10
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I think it's great news personally. Having a business out of town means I either have to go into the town, fight the traffic and park, or go to an out of town store like Staples. Personally I'd rather keep my pounds local and spend with a local company so I'll be in the door as soon as it's open.

Why do local people always look at change as doom and gloom? Free parking and no traffic...sounds good to me!

By newtonbiz at 11:04 on 08/01/10
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