@mario - that's the kind of thing a silly person would say.

I suspect it's based on nothing other than your own snobby, myopic, bigoted view of how people should dress properly.

It's akin to saying 'all southerners drink shandy and are effeminate'. It's just brainless, cliched drivel. Give yourself a shake.

"people from the north have no sense of fashion at all, never seen so many people dressed so badly in my life, best shop for you would be a primark..."

Better than a blue dungarees, red hat, wrench carrying plumber!

people from the north have no sense of fashion at all, never seen so many people dressed so badly in my life, best shop for you would be a primark...

Tony: If you're ever watched Ronnie Barker with his hardware shop sketch you might understand. If you don't, I can't help as it gets to complicated. I was trying to recall what the buyer bought but as I had worked in an Ironmongery shop it became very clear by everyone concerned that he the buyer had placed a purchase order for the wrong products. In regard seasonal goods I'm sure many items are self explanatory in that such as latest design bermuda shorts for winter time sale's might not be the appropriate period for some UK high street stores.

Hoopers are still presently trying to sell quality branded winter overcoats. This might be a appropriate godsend for a store or concession buyer overestimating supply and demand. It is unusual that the weather is low in temperatures and still wavering in single figures for May. British weather plays a part in many a trade.

My eldest son however maybe presently designing garments for next winter and springtime of 2013. Fashion design is usually one or two seasons ahead. They can do some extensive world travelling now with fewer fabrics made in the UK. In addition attending Fashion shows. Having designed for a Swedish fashion company in London he is now going to work for a high-end fashion designer house in the south of France. Thankfully they speak English. N&S Fashion Editor informed of my son's latest move being one of Carlisle born fashion designers. Their exclusive products with a french flare are only exclusive to Harrods in the UK. Carlisle's Hoopers is a big loss for mid-range designer brands in the UK. If you think prices in Hoopers are high then try Harrods. In regard cheapness many design houses have designed for Primark. They only design to specifics. Just the same as ordering a car without air-conditioning. I'm not too sure how many floors Chapmans have but this store was considered suitable for Primark whilst with John Lewis's which sell fashions, furniture, electricals and in some stores they have food outlets. Hoopers was thought more suitable for Lewis's but I'm sure both store's with various floorspace/levels will be sold a record figures.

I was informed some years ago that my son had to live in very expensive London instead of perhaps cheaper New Yorks Manhattan. I was informed that London was the place to be as it was then the Fashion Centre of the World. Th UK High Street is on a downward spiral and presently a new debate in the near future might be on the offing as to where is the new world fashion centre for latest trends in fashion. Chickens are not coming home to roost - every move on the High street has it's knock on effect, just as dominoes fall. My son's fiancee who is also into fashion has asked me to write for their new fashion magazine but unfortunately I myself know too little about the rag trade. Draw a dress zip to detail? I found it hard enough trying to draw a 3" cs steel woodscrew in my teens retail trade exams.

I myself get by knowing a little learned Italian and German but for French WOW! They also can speak the English language.

Tony Tickell: Give Roy some credit; he has a unique style. Carlisle's James Joyce?

Too pricey and not enough variety...that is the story of Hoopers demise.
Bulloughs had it right high end products mixed with affordable items that most people could afford.
Hoopers seemed to have the "emperors new clothes^ mentality.....if it costs enough we will sell it but unfortunately for them the further North you travel people are not brainwashed into buying "high end" designer products just for the label there has to be a more exclusive reason for parting with hard earned cash. Hoopers stocked products that can be bought anywhere this does not mean my or anybody elses purchase is exclusive my £250 cardigan can be bought in many cities/dept stores but if i paid that amount i want want it to be either from a new and upcoming designer or from a range that had a limited amount produced and not be freely available from Lands End to John O Groats. Hoopers is basically Primark for the wealthy the same stock at the same price sold in every large department store in the country.......Bring on Primarni.

One of the big problems with Hoopers was the fact that almost every item they sold could be found on the internet at greatly reduced prices. I bought a coat online from a major retailer for £370 less than Hoopers ticket price. The closure has nothing to do with the loss of parking spaces, lets face it most of them were blue badge spaces. It is to do with a retailer thinking they could charge the earth for 'exclusivity' when in reality, the clever money is spent online. I will miss Hoopers for the ability to try clothes on before making a purchase online.

Sorry Roy, could you decipher "Buying is very seasonal and I recall when one new buyer at a new holiday camp bought what he thought was.... Result was wasted/cluttered pack's on warehouse shelves"
It is hard to understand what you are talking about.

Anoony, why do people keep going on about 'Bob McKnights attempts to help'? Are you really so naive? Actually don't answer that. The McKnights are simply taking advantage of depressed property prices on run down semi derelict buildings and using them to make money. Don't miss understand me, this is not a criticism of the McKnights, I applaud them for doing well in the current climate. However those people who believe their actions are founded on anything other than astute business acumen really need to stop and think before typing out their ridiculous replies.

Glad the Council helped Hoopers out by putting pointless new pavement and reducing parking spaces.Maybe money would have been better spent helping to rejuvenate the carbunkle on the bum that most of Botchergate is apart from Bob McKnights attempts to help ie pull down derelict buildng st St Nicholas actively try to something with Moods.After all this is the main artery into Carlisle and all you see is dirty empty buildings and down at heel shops
dont think i need to tell you what sort of shops i am talking about.Time for the Council to stop looking at Blue Riband prestige projects for the minority and started looking at the bigger picture ie rejuvenating the infrastructure f the city and moving forward and not making the right noises but not acting on them.Best example ever The Airport.A man wants to invest heavily and the poorly advised council dither eventually we will lose that investment.Come on Carlisle lobby for more not promises but positive action by the town leaders.