Do you ever suddenly notice something that's been staring you in the face for years but has hitherto passsed you by?
Then you'll know what I mean when I say British Homes Stores, or BHS as it's called today.
I drove by one on Oxford Street this mornning, as I've done most mornings for the past four years. I assume it's been there since time immemorial, seeing off the likes of Bourne and Hollingsworth, Swan and Edgar and all those other long-lost high street legends, but I can honestly say I've never noticed it.
There used to be one in Southampton, our nearest biggest town when I was growing up, and it always seemed reallly bland and functional. There was a food hall and it seemed almost Eastern Bloc in its decoration and its fare. Sort of pale grey everything, including the bacon.
Its saving grace was the cafeteria upstairs, which did a nice line in shepherd's pie and chips, lasagna and chips, 'curry and rice', etc. We often would go of a Saturday lunchime after shopping. Even as a student it was on the map for cheap eats.
I wonder if they still do food? Peering through the window from the safety of my car, all I could see were plain clothes and dated housewares. I think I might be depressed if I ever had to shop there. In fact, it doesn't even occur to me as an option.
So if I'm not looking - and I'll admit I'm not the target market, so this may be irrelavent - who is?
Is this one of those brands that needs a reposition and a refresh? Someone needs to come in and turn it on its head, like they do with other places that are hurtling down the dumper. I say this, though for all I know it's in rude health. Nevertheless, it's still got frumpy written through it like a stick of rock.
Like C&A, I feel it's not long for this world.
