Arthur’s Chandlers Gosport.

[john_morris_uk]

Some on here will be familiar with Arthur’s chandlery in Gosport and how the business has been on the market for some time. I called in a few moments ago and was told to my dismay that they cannot find a buyer and so are going to close the business - probably at the end of June or beginning of July. That’s enormously sad as another small chandlers (who has been really helpful in the past) is going. I’ve tried to support him with my business and tried to avoid some of the big mega chandleries but it looks as though size will out in the end.

 

[capnsensible]

Blimey. I used to know the original owners. Went in there a lot when I ran HMS Dolphins yacht a billion years ago.

When they open the portakabin shop at Haslar Matina in its early days, my wife worked there for over a year when we first lived aboard. Stocktaking individual trays of gazillions of nuts and bolts was never her favourite pastime.

Guess it's all online now. Shame.

 

[john_morris_uk]

Blimey. I used to know the original owners. Went in there a lot when I ran HMS Dolphins yacht a billion years ago.

When they open the portakabin shop at Haslar Matina in its early days, my wife worked there for over a year when we first lived aboard. Stocktaking individual trays of gazillions of nuts and bolts was never her favourite pastime.

Guess it's all online now. Shame.

It’s still one of the places where you can go in and buy individual nuts and bolts. They’ve got a huge selection and you can just choose what style/length et cetera you need for a particular job without buying a whole packet of the wretched things.

 

[V1701]

What a shame, I try to put a bit of business the way of the individual chandlers around Brighton - Nicky's at the marina, though most of their income I suspect comes from canvas and sail work, G P Barnes in Portslade which is a true Aladdin's cave of a place where you can still get gas refills and not a chandlers but another great place Namrick AKA the Nut & Bolt store in Hove for stainless & electrical bits & pieces...

 

[[2574]]

That’s a real shame. When we were based at Royal Clarence we used to source everything from Arthur’s and Hardway. It’s a bit far now from the Clyde to Arthur’s to get some bits. ?

 

[ashtead]

That’s very sad. I wonder if Sophia will continue with canvas work separately.

 

[Poignard]

Sad to hear that.

I started buying from Arthur's in 1997 and continued doing so until I took my boat to France in 2014. A nice couple ran it. They were members of Hornet SSC.

 

[laika]

It’s still one of the places where you can go in and buy individual nuts and bolts.

...a facility I made extensive use of before we moved the boat to Brighton. There are plenty of negative things to say about Gosport but lack of excellent chandlers has not been one of them since I've been frequenting the place. I presume online purchases and the fact that YouBoat is a few steps nearer to the two bigger marinas hasn't helped. Now my boat is backing Gosport I'm particularly sad to hear Arthur's is closing.

 

[Stemar]

I've tried to spend money in the little places, but I have the kiss of death for chandlers - first it was Steve at Hardway, then Quay Lane, now Arthur's.

Is there still one at Haslar? Though maybe I should avoid them on current performance

 

[Rappey]

Hardway.

The hardway chandlery moved to a large factory unit in Fareham but finally closed down when they could rent the unit out for more than the chandlery business could make.
Another superb gosport business "mill tools" will also be closing down this year. A brilliant shop for tools and engineering items plus the guys knowledge.

 

[arto]

Great shame. I've used them in preference to any other chandlers for the same reasons as many others here: unfailingly helpful and an amazing stock of tiny items like buts and bolts which they sold for pennies, and good prices on everything else. Tough business.

I first discovered them when they were on Forton Road shortly after I moved to Gosport Marina. Their move to Mumby Road looked great until YouBoat landed right outside Gosport Marina. YouBoat is useful too, but I found Arthur's friendlier and more helpful. Competing with YouBoat *and* all the online retailers must be a real challenge.

 

[Capt Popeye]

yep that Old Addage is so very true , especially these days , I fear -

'Use em or loose em' my guess is the name of the game , these days - I do get quite angry when some mention /suggest in a post , that 'so an so' online is only **" its as if those posters do not realise the damage them are doing to our Boating world support facilities ; URG n URG

Awaiting incomming flack plus poss smacking (in principle)

 

[northwind]

G P Barnes in Portslade which is a true Aladdin's cave of a place

Unfortunately this is another business that has been for sale for a while....
Highly Renowned Yacht Chandlery - Buy or Sell a UK Business with Daltons Business

 

[LONG_KEELER]

Unfortunately this is another business that has been for sale for a while....
Highly Renowned Yacht Chandlery - Buy or Sell a UK Business with Daltons Business

That's quite a novelty where a chandlery business is actually for sale.

Even mail order requires lots of admin and labour. I purchased a Gill garment from an IOW chandlery recently. I received it directly posted from Gill in the midlands . I expect the chandlers receive a cut for being a so called agent. Seems a good idea if it helps them to survive and don't have to invest heavily in stock . Quick too.

 

[Capt Popeye]

That's quite a novelty where a chandlery business is actually for sale.

Even mail order requires lots of admin and labour. I purchased a Gill garment from an IOW chandlery recently. I received it directly posted from Gill in the midlands . I expect the chandlers receive a cut for being a so called agent. Seems a good idea if it helps them to survive and don't have to invest heavily in stock . Quick too.

Yep its probably the best way to be sold a Yachting Wear item ; what with the colours to choose from , the Mens /Womens options , the sizes for tall n thin to short n wide tis best to obtain from the Manufacturer ; also one gets the most up to date Garment , as these Garments oft get changed ; enjoy

 

[doris]

Great shame. I've used them in preference to any other chandlers for the same reasons as many others here: unfailingly helpful and an amazing stock of tiny items like buts and bolts which they sold for pennies, and good prices on everything else. Tough business.

I first discovered them when they were on Forton Road shortly after I moved to Gosport Marina. Their move to Mumby Road looked great until YouBoat landed right outside Gosport Marina. YouBoat is useful too, but I found Arthur's friendlier and more helpful. Competing with YouBoat *and* all the online retailers must be a real challenge.

YouBoat was brilliant when Kath was there. Never been the same since she left, Simon never seems to be around, when he is, excellent.

 

[ashtead]

I believe he’s now seen at Lym after taking on nick Cox ?

 

[Elessar]

Some on here will be familiar with Arthur’s chandlery in Gosport and how the business has been on the market for some time. I called in a few moments ago and was told to my dismay that they cannot find a buyer and so are going to close the business - probably at the end of June or beginning of July. That’s enormously sad as another small chandlers (who has been really helpful in the past) is going. I’ve tried to support him with my business and tried to avoid some of the big mega chandleries but it looks as though size will out in the end.

Sadly people but the screws in chandleries, but buy oilies and electronics online.
This is the outcome.
I always buy even big ticket stuff from a physical chandlery. The closest one to me is a big chain (force 4) but I still appreciate the shop.

 

[rotrax]

Not an unusual situation.

First Mate and I were unable to sell our very specialist Veteran, Vintage and Classic Motorcycle business. Plenty wanted to pay me the money if I continued as Manager, but that was not possible as we had to look after four aged parents. Not many had the detailed knowlege to work the business themselves, a bit like Arthurs situation I suspect.

We had the advantage of the freehold of the substantial premises so sold the stock and the freehold.

Which is why we have a nice boat

 

[jamie N]

I used to frequently go to Gael Force in Inverness, which has now a much reduced 'in shop stock level', so it's easier/quicker to buy the item online from them, which is frustrating.