Geordie
North East
Course I'm out of my mind...........it's dark and scary in there!!
Posts: 2,518
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Jun 27, 2020 14:49:00 GMT
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Shop update: it's still alive! Mind you, I wouldn't have been without the government grant we got, which I'm hugely grateful for. Of course the government has made mistakes, but hand on heart, I'm not sure what more they could have done to support businesses like mine with the grants, the furlough scheme etc. I have eight staff still on the books through the furlough scheme, and I'm going to start bringing them back slowly (topped up with part furlough payments) from 1st July.
I've been working every day for the last seven weeks, Monday to Friday, with a non-furloughed lady covering me on weekends, open for takeaways only of drinks, traybakes, scones etc, with one person in the shop at a time, that sort of thing. I successfully sold out of 40 afternoon teas (delivery & collections) on the first four Fridays and Saturdays of those seven weeks, but found I couldn't do both those and be behind the counter serving in the shop, so the afternoon teas have been put on ice for now. That's been a good thing to come out of it, knowing we can put together a real top quality product that people loved.
As for the next step, opening up for seated customers, which is allowed from the 4th July, I'm in no rush to change things. We get on really well with the Conservative Club next door, and they have a big garden. They've decided not to open until after they review the situation in late August, which means I have full use of that garden for customer use, which is great. The local council are consulting with myself and other small business owners about what we'd like to see happen. Before I got the go ahead to use the garden next door, I couldn't see any way forward other than to ask they part pedestrianise the street outside, and I think they might agree to that request, but I'm not sure it's now necessary.For now anyway. As for inside, I'll take out a table or two from upstairs, and the same from downstairs, to space people out a bit.
So that's how things stand. A really nervous, stressful time, but we'll see the other side I'm sure.
As an aside, whilst we were closed for six weeks, I kept myself busy by delivering prescriptions full time for five of those weeks, as I knew they were short of drivers. My wife wanted me to just stay home and stay safe, but I'm glad to have helped.
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Last Edit: Jun 27, 2020 14:50:46 GMT by Geordie
CURRENT FLEET '95 Rover 623SLi (65k miles) '99 Renault Laguna Executive '55 BMW 318i (52k miles) for sale '06 Audi A6 (18 year old 'modern' daily)
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Geordie
North East
Course I'm out of my mind...........it's dark and scary in there!!
Posts: 2,518
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Jun 26, 2020 21:59:34 GMT
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As an 18 year old one of my friends bought one of these off a family member. We all thought he was a bit mad, but actually he was a genius - lots of room, could leave it anywhere and never got pulled over by the police once (unlike the rest of us in escorts, astras, etc). Nice to have you back Geordie, nice to see some more of your car exploits, hope things are working out now after the impact of Covid / lockdown on your business. Thanks, I appreciate that. Business still alive, and I'll update the 'Time to jump' thread soon.
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CURRENT FLEET '95 Rover 623SLi (65k miles) '99 Renault Laguna Executive '55 BMW 318i (52k miles) for sale '06 Audi A6 (18 year old 'modern' daily)
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Geordie
North East
Course I'm out of my mind...........it's dark and scary in there!!
Posts: 2,518
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Jun 26, 2020 14:51:00 GMT
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Right place at the right time..... My mate saw the ebay advert for this one within a minute of it being posted on there and sent me the link. Well, instantly I was enthused. It's a car that I remember being innovative at the time, generally considered to be the first mpv on general sale in the UK when launched in 1982, pre-dating the Mk1 Espace by two years (1984). Memories of them being 'quirky' and 'different' flooded back. Quirky and different is what I like. And what I am, according to Mrs Geordie. Anyway, the seller received a text withing 5 minutes of the advert going up, from me, and ten minutes later, I had agreed a price, satisfied him I was a genuine buyer, and the advert was binned. The seller had seen it in the garage of another house in his neighbourhood, and knew it hadn't moved out of there in a few years. He struck up a conversation with the houseowner, and it transpires the lady's husband had purchased the car new in 1989 from their local Nissan dealership, AFG in Doncaster. He had used it constantly, but lightly, until he had passed away in 2015, whereupon the car was garaged and mothballed. Until now. It's a 1.8SGL, and has covered a mere 34k miles. A steady, regular 34k miles, rather than the 34k miles of my Stanza, which were accumulated in the first three years of it's life ('84-'87), then put into stasis for 32 years, like Ripley in Aliens! Quite freaky how both of them are on 34k miles though, and both with only one (original purchaser) owner before me. I always loved these, like I said. The two rear sliding doors were always a magical, innovative design feature to me in the early eighties, as was the lack of the B pillars. As a kid, I always imagined myself jumping in one side, pretend NYPD gun in one hand and hopping out the other in one constant flow of energy and fitness. I can't do that now of course, my muscles, bones and sinews are knackered, but that memory never left me. A car that I never got round to posting a thread on here on RR had to sadly leave stage left in order to make room for the Prairie. The Sunny Estate was a great little car, another rare thing these days, but I needed the space, and a friend was keen on buying it from me, so away it went.... A first look round the Prairie showed up a couple of insecure bumpers, a couple of slightly cracked and damaged repeater lenses, one of the front sidelight/repeater lenses the wrong way round (I had to google which one was wrong...), a few dents and scuffs....all things that I expect from a car owned by an, erm, senior citizen without parking sensors. Good things from the initial walkround was the fact that it starts and stops very well, although the very high clutch makes the going bit not so easy. The interior smells a bit, but is absolutely mint. The seats have no rips, tears or holes, the carpets aren't stained, and everything works (not that there is a lot to go wrong). Even the sunroof tilts open and doesn't seem to leak. There's a missing wheel trim, and the other three aren't original, so I've been lucky enough to find a set of original Prairie specific 13" wheel trims. Looking forward to getting them on, as I think they'll make a huge difference. Anyway, some pics.... Original bill of sale, showing a £200 part-ex of a Cortina! High security measures... Another innovative thing at the time for a passenger car, the flat load floor The mighty CA18 Original dealer rear plate... Fold away window winder on the rear sliding door So turns out the nearside lens was the wrong way round Seats that fold down into a bed... A few alongside my Stanza, also 34k miles... The old fella who owned it had his name on the bonnet in sticky decals. I think I'll be keeping them on as a bit of a tribute... Bumpers get some love... Better... Lens the wrong way round... ....and now corrected... So, plans? After a couple of coats of a slightly abrasive polish, most of the car has come up pretty well. My initial idea was to spend some money on it, give it a full respray, and make it minty mint. Now it seems the bodywork is not as bad as I'd thought, I think a minor bodywork resto, like sorting the dents and scuffs, securing the bumpers etc might be the best way to go, keeping some of the imperfections of it's history. Still undecided though. I''ll see if I can adjust the clutch so it's not so high. If not, it'll be getting a new cable and/or clutch. It'll obviously get a full service as well including timing belt, oil, plugs, filters. Oh, and fit that full set of Prairie wheel trims. You know me....updates to come...
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Last Edit: Jun 26, 2020 14:58:22 GMT by Geordie
CURRENT FLEET '95 Rover 623SLi (65k miles) '99 Renault Laguna Executive '55 BMW 318i (52k miles) for sale '06 Audi A6 (18 year old 'modern' daily)
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Geordie
North East
Course I'm out of my mind...........it's dark and scary in there!!
Posts: 2,518
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Apr 12, 2020 20:37:31 GMT
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PM sent
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Last Edit: Apr 12, 2020 20:47:30 GMT by Geordie
CURRENT FLEET '95 Rover 623SLi (65k miles) '99 Renault Laguna Executive '55 BMW 318i (52k miles) for sale '06 Audi A6 (18 year old 'modern' daily)
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Geordie
North East
Course I'm out of my mind...........it's dark and scary in there!!
Posts: 2,518
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Just caught up with this Chris (for fairly obvious reasons I've been a bit busy...!). Sincerest best wishes from all three of us here. Let us know if we can do anything - you've got my number! Thanks. Stay safe
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CURRENT FLEET '95 Rover 623SLi (65k miles) '99 Renault Laguna Executive '55 BMW 318i (52k miles) for sale '06 Audi A6 (18 year old 'modern' daily)
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Geordie
North East
Course I'm out of my mind...........it's dark and scary in there!!
Posts: 2,518
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I think restaurants, burger places, pizza houses etc are kitted up for an easy transition to delivery. People want that stuff delivered. Lattes, americanos, cappuccinos, teas? Not so much when it's so easy just to make do with what you can do with a kettle in the kitchen. I'd have to bring someone in too, if I was out delivering, and that just doesn't sit right with me either. Two coffees, a fiver? Hardly worth the fuel. I just don't think it would work. Anyway, I started my job for the time being delivering prescriptions for local pharmacies. They are short of drivers. I feel it's a worthwhile thing to do, although part of me wants to stay home safe. Fifty to sixty deliveries on both days.
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Last Edit: Mar 28, 2020 9:55:09 GMT by Geordie
CURRENT FLEET '95 Rover 623SLi (65k miles) '99 Renault Laguna Executive '55 BMW 318i (52k miles) for sale '06 Audi A6 (18 year old 'modern' daily)
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Geordie
North East
Course I'm out of my mind...........it's dark and scary in there!!
Posts: 2,518
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Mar 25, 2020 19:33:22 GMT
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Last Edit: Mar 25, 2020 20:06:44 GMT by Geordie
CURRENT FLEET '95 Rover 623SLi (65k miles) '99 Renault Laguna Executive '55 BMW 318i (52k miles) for sale '06 Audi A6 (18 year old 'modern' daily)
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Geordie
North East
Course I'm out of my mind...........it's dark and scary in there!!
Posts: 2,518
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Mar 25, 2020 19:13:37 GMT
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Update.
After receiving many requests on the shop FB page to open for takeaways, following two days closed last week I opened for takeaways. So many regulars came in to support me which was welcome and very touching. However, after two days of takeaways, it didn't sit right with me. People were still coming out specifically for a coffee instead of being encouraged to stay at home. I was customer facing, and handling cash (didn't think of doing contactless at the time). So, that was that, I decided to shut fully until this situation has improved, and we are advised that we can open again.
As an aside, I start a job tomorrow delivering prescriptions for local pharmacies, as some of their drivers are self-isolating being older chaps. Part of me would rather stay at home with the family, but I think it's a worthwhile thing to do.
Stay safe everyone.
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CURRENT FLEET '95 Rover 623SLi (65k miles) '99 Renault Laguna Executive '55 BMW 318i (52k miles) for sale '06 Audi A6 (18 year old 'modern' daily)
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Geordie
North East
Course I'm out of my mind...........it's dark and scary in there!!
Posts: 2,518
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Mar 18, 2020 21:43:47 GMT
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I wouldn’t stress about it...... Easier said than done mate, when you've put everything into something and it could all be lost
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CURRENT FLEET '95 Rover 623SLi (65k miles) '99 Renault Laguna Executive '55 BMW 318i (52k miles) for sale '06 Audi A6 (18 year old 'modern' daily)
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Geordie
North East
Course I'm out of my mind...........it's dark and scary in there!!
Posts: 2,518
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Mar 18, 2020 13:33:46 GMT
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Time for a coffee shop update I reckon, seeing as I seem to have a bit of time to do it!! Things had been going great really. Number one on TripAdvisor for the area.... www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g776120-d13528670-Reviews-Taste_Tea_and_Coffee_House-Saltburn_by_the_Sea_North_Yorkshire_England.htmlCustomer feedback great, new local suppliers getting on board, record months, best ever weekend just the weekend gone......then the Government advises people to avoid gathering in cafes/restaurants/theatres etc.....this curse word just got serious. Monday night was a night of soul searching, thinking, and more. At about 11pm on Monday, after lots of discussion with my wife, I decided to close the shop, even though we weren't being expressly told to close (although our customers were being told not to come in!!). My feeling was that the health and well-being of my fabulous staff team and lovely customers is the most important thing. I put a notice up in the window on Tuesday morning saying I was closing until things improved. Seemed the right thing to do. It's not panic, it's common sense. But it's scary too. Halting trade half way through a month means I have enough in the bank to cover the wages and any outstanding invoices, however, I now don't have enough to cover the rent on the 1st. I've asked my landlord for some help, but he says he can't give me a month off, or defer a month or two, as he has mortgages to pay on mine, and other premises. The governments announcement of cash grants for small businesses is welcome, and I will be applying, however, if I'm not eligible for whatever reason, I'll probably be out of business by the end of April/beginning of May IF this situation means I can't re-open. The insurance is no good either apparently, even though I have Business Interruption Cover. The standard BIC that most businesses have, me included, covers inability to trade due to damage to buildings, gas/electric issues/terrorism etc and NOT a global pandemic. So there we are, and here I am, sat at home with a cuppa (tea, not coffee), a hobnob biscuit, and thoughts and concerns about our future. Crazy times.
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CURRENT FLEET '95 Rover 623SLi (65k miles) '99 Renault Laguna Executive '55 BMW 318i (52k miles) for sale '06 Audi A6 (18 year old 'modern' daily)
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Geordie
North East
Course I'm out of my mind...........it's dark and scary in there!!
Posts: 2,518
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Mar 16, 2020 20:01:35 GMT
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Nice!
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CURRENT FLEET '95 Rover 623SLi (65k miles) '99 Renault Laguna Executive '55 BMW 318i (52k miles) for sale '06 Audi A6 (18 year old 'modern' daily)
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Geordie
North East
Course I'm out of my mind...........it's dark and scary in there!!
Posts: 2,518
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I haven't seen one in that colour before.
Stunning.
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CURRENT FLEET '95 Rover 623SLi (65k miles) '99 Renault Laguna Executive '55 BMW 318i (52k miles) for sale '06 Audi A6 (18 year old 'modern' daily)
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Geordie
North East
Course I'm out of my mind...........it's dark and scary in there!!
Posts: 2,518
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Feb 13, 2020 10:14:51 GMT
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Deposit now received, and collection organised for 8th March.
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CURRENT FLEET '95 Rover 623SLi (65k miles) '99 Renault Laguna Executive '55 BMW 318i (52k miles) for sale '06 Audi A6 (18 year old 'modern' daily)
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Geordie
North East
Course I'm out of my mind...........it's dark and scary in there!!
Posts: 2,518
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Lovely looking motor.
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CURRENT FLEET '95 Rover 623SLi (65k miles) '99 Renault Laguna Executive '55 BMW 318i (52k miles) for sale '06 Audi A6 (18 year old 'modern' daily)
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Geordie
North East
Course I'm out of my mind...........it's dark and scary in there!!
Posts: 2,518
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**SOLD PENDING PAYMENT & COLLECTION 02/02/20**
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CURRENT FLEET '95 Rover 623SLi (65k miles) '99 Renault Laguna Executive '55 BMW 318i (52k miles) for sale '06 Audi A6 (18 year old 'modern' daily)
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Geordie
North East
Course I'm out of my mind...........it's dark and scary in there!!
Posts: 2,518
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Still for sale.
Any sensible offer considered, even including cheaper px, although getting some extra space is the whole idea.
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CURRENT FLEET '95 Rover 623SLi (65k miles) '99 Renault Laguna Executive '55 BMW 318i (52k miles) for sale '06 Audi A6 (18 year old 'modern' daily)
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Geordie
North East
Course I'm out of my mind...........it's dark and scary in there!!
Posts: 2,518
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Jan 28, 2020 19:18:27 GMT
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Still available.
Make me an offer, I'm a nice guy, and I'd love a fellow member of RR to own this.
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CURRENT FLEET '95 Rover 623SLi (65k miles) '99 Renault Laguna Executive '55 BMW 318i (52k miles) for sale '06 Audi A6 (18 year old 'modern' daily)
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Geordie
North East
Course I'm out of my mind...........it's dark and scary in there!!
Posts: 2,518
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Jan 25, 2020 21:10:49 GMT
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Says in the advert mate, 12th August
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CURRENT FLEET '95 Rover 623SLi (65k miles) '99 Renault Laguna Executive '55 BMW 318i (52k miles) for sale '06 Audi A6 (18 year old 'modern' daily)
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Geordie
North East
Course I'm out of my mind...........it's dark and scary in there!!
Posts: 2,518
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Jan 25, 2020 19:50:12 GMT
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For various reasons at home, I've decided not to buy that other car, and just want a nice, simple, problem free sale of this lovely motor. I need the space on the drive, and a smilier wife, so I've decided to knock the price down considerably.
I'm now happy and willing to drop my expectations hugely and accept offers near £2000 if it means I get that extra space on the drive for my step-daughter's first car (which we pick up tomorrow), and less sleepless nights worrying about telling the boss that I'm changing another car.
I'd love it to go to a fellow Retro Rider of course. Shoot me an offer, I'm a nice guy.
To confirm, I'm happy to consider offers in the region of £2000.
Chris
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CURRENT FLEET '95 Rover 623SLi (65k miles) '99 Renault Laguna Executive '55 BMW 318i (52k miles) for sale '06 Audi A6 (18 year old 'modern' daily)
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Geordie
North East
Course I'm out of my mind...........it's dark and scary in there!!
Posts: 2,518
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Jan 22, 2020 21:13:51 GMT
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Stunning car and no doubt very well presented That really is a bargain price Glwts Chris , I’m sure that will find a new home very soon Cheers Dan. I'm really in two minds about selling it, but the other car is something I just can't resist.
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CURRENT FLEET '95 Rover 623SLi (65k miles) '99 Renault Laguna Executive '55 BMW 318i (52k miles) for sale '06 Audi A6 (18 year old 'modern' daily)
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