A positive GW thread about my local store

[spaghettyhoop]

After reading the terrain rage thread, and the new 4x4 board in gw thread, I feel like I need to post about the recent changes in my Local GW. People seem to think that the GW stores have blanket policies across the board (they do for some things) but its not the case with how stores are run apart from rumour lockouts, prices, etc. The store manager gets to choose what goes on in that store in regards to a lot of things.

This is about the GW in middlesbrough, my local one. It is fairly large, has a 4x4 and three 6x4 tables, which can be arranged differently into 8x4 tables if nobodys painting. Thats the main room. This store has a big "back room" too, which a few years ago used to be open for gaming, but got closed because from what ive been told not enough people were coming in to use it and they wanted to gamers in the front of the store where they could be seen (obviously looks better people playing games out front where people walk past, than having what appears to be an empty store)

Lately, over the past years or so, ive noticed its always full. People are always playing games, often even during weekdays.

We recently got a new manager here, and hes made some drastic changes, all of which are positive to gamers. They used to have thursday as a late night opening, and that was it, 9 - 6 the rest of the week. Now, they are closing totally mon/tues. But opening late most other nights to allow more gaming, and they are building a bunch of new boards and re-opening the back room to expand the gaming area. They are putting on a few ranks for the hobby days/nights too where newer people meet to play, so they dont get smashed by power gaming veterans.

It all seems like a good change to me, more gaming focus, which will probably lead to more sales. I know I make a hell of a lot of impulse buys just having a wander round the store.

So yeah, its not all doom and gloom with changes to GW stores! If you have an issue with how things are been run, blame your Manager, not GW!

[xxRavenxx]

I cannot believe that Mark Wells sits on his guilded throne, watching such reckless use of company money... the monster!




I felt I should get the doom in as soon as possible. GW are evil you know...

[Sean_OBrien]

So yeah, its not all doom and gloom with changes to GW stores! If you have an issue with how things are been run, blame your Manager, not GW!

Neither here nor there - but if you remember to...try to update this thread around Christmas to see if the new manager is still the manager or the former manager. I've heard and seen this type of thing happen before, and from time to time it sticks. Quite often though, the new manager creates goodwill with old customers but fails to meet their sales goals and is let loose.

[alexh]

Hmm, I've not met the new manager yet but things I've heard are pleasing me. Re opening the gaming room can only be a good thing for the store as far as I am concerned because of the sheer amount of people that try to cram themselves in on Saturdays (especially the recent 40K birthday event).

[toonboy78]

funny i was in there this weekend! he did come over and want mention the new opening times but i as i don't live up there anymore i told him not to worry.

[Kulgur]

This is about the GW in middlesbrough, my local one. It is fairly large, has a 4x4 and three 6x4 tables,

FAIRLY large? That's positively humongous compared to two of the three stores that are anywhere near me!

[Kapeg90]

Durham is my local one, and the boards aren't as big as those! Still fairly decent, though. I'll have to give Middlesborough's store a go one time!

[The bearded one]

The long-time manager of our local GW, great guy (and hobbyist) who we all respect, is leaving next month. We'll just have to wait and see what kind of new manager we'll get and wether he'll trash it or not.

[alexh]

Having now met the new manager of GW Middlesbrough, I have to agree with spaghettyhoop. He is a really nice guy who seems to be all about being a gamer/hobbyist first and a manager second. On Saturday, he set up a 40k kill team game and pretty much gave us free reign on how to play it in terms of victory conditions. He also came over a couple of times to find out our opinions of how he is running the store and what we would like him to do for us.

[shelfunit.]

The long-time manager of our local GW, great guy (and hobbyist) who we all respect, is leaving next month. We'll just have to wait and see what kind of new manager we'll get and wether he'll trash it or not.

I hope it's a good replacement. Is there any "crossover" time so the newbie can watch & learn (as it were) from the old master?

[Mastodon]

The long-time manager of our local GW, great guy (and hobbyist) who we all respect, is leaving next month. We'll just have to wait and see what kind of new manager we'll get and wether he'll trash it or not.

High Wycombe by any chance?

[Commissar Merces]

Best part about my local gamesworkshop... everyone goes to our indi store now. Best thing that has happened to me as a gamer due to the community we have built up somewhere else and the size of games we can play without being harassed. The way my local store has been run was the final nail in the coffin for me going to it.

[shelfunit.]

High Wycombe by any chance?

Not unless it's in Holland

[The bearded one]

High Wycombe by any chance?

Rotterdam

I hope it's a good replacement. Is there any "crossover" time so the newbie can watch & learn (as it were) from the old master?

No crossover time, he'll be out one day, and the new in the next.

[Harwammer]

No crossover time, he'll be out one day, and the new in the next.

That's silly. If the new manager had any interest in his job he should at least pop down a few times to observe and chat with the current manager. At worst it could provide him with a few insights.

Hopefully the new one won't erk things up for you!

[Torga_DW]

That's silly. If the new manager had any interest in his job he should at least pop down a few times to observe and chat with the current manager. At worst it could provide him with a few insights.

Its a good idea, but he may not be able. Most probably still working at his old job/position. GW could have arranged an overlap period if they thought it was important / useful.

Hopefully the new one won't erk things up for you!

I echo this sentiment.

edit: minor typos

[The bearded one]

I don't believe it is even known who the new manager will be, or where he'll come from (from another store or from the staff, or straight out of 'training').