Month: March 2011

Baby you’re the Top (Shop and Man)

by  • 

Word that The Bay will introduce both TOPSHOP and TOPMAN (see below) has been of great interest today. They are British chains of women’s (SHOP) and men’s (MAN) belonging to the Arcadia Group. Arcadia owns Burton, Miss Selfridge, Wallis, Evans, British Home Stores and Dorothy Perkins. The chain was founded in 1964 as Peter Robinson’s Top Shop, a young fashion brand within the Sheffield branch of the Peter Robinson Ltd ladies fashion store chain (former department store chain). The first standalone Topshop store was opened in 1974. In 1978, Topman was created as a spin-off brand to cater for male customers and is now run as a separate chain, although some stores are co-located. The British retailer is represented in 20 countries.

Police seek video in Aish smash and grab

by  • 

Police were going door to door on South Bayview today seeking any video which might show suspects in the smash and grab at Aish over the weekend. The little jewellery store had its window smashed in a clumsy attempt at robbery. The incident occurred overnight Saturday-Sunday and looks like an unplanned crime of opportunity. So PW Janet (inset) of the bicycle unit was busy surveying merchants, banks and others for any video of the street. Part of the rationale is that the culprit(s) walked the length of South Bayview and would be seen on any camera directed at the street. As we noted in our first post on this matter, the crime raises the question again of publicly owned surveillance cameras of the type widely used in Britain. These cameras are credited with catching thieves in the act and also acting as a powerful deterrent.

Gas main replacement on Bayview

by  • 

Notices have been delivered to businesses on South Bayview that the cast iron natural gas mains will be replaced this Spring beginning in April. There will be trenching necessary. The project supervisor, Jim Hutton, told The South Baview Bulldog that he thinks the work will occur mainly along the west side of the street. but it will be necessary to dig a smaller excavation in front of buildings to connect the new line. The old main will be replaced with plastic tubing. Gas service will be interrupted briefly but the contractor, Link Line, says there will be timely notice of disconnection. The contractor promises to keep sidewalks open and passable.

Geneva Auto Show opens today

by  • 

The 81st Geneva Auto Show opens today amid applause for all the concept cars on display. Here we have the electric VW “Bulli” van, sort of a son-of-Westphalia. Volkswagen’s new Bulli concept revives the Microbus in modern form and stuffs it full of batteries to turn it into an all-electric vehicle with a stated 186 mile range. Among the six-seater’s modern twists, new VW Microbus uses an iPad to control the entertainment system, climate control and other functions. The Bulli uses a lithium-ion battery pack to drive a 113-horsepower electric motor and interestingly enough, Volkswagen says that the van can be fully charged in less than one hour. Like the original Microbus, the Bulli presented in Geneva has two-tone paint and a distinctive ‘V’ on the bonnet. 18-inch alloy wheels are distinctive with stylised chrome hubcaps, another tribute to the Microbus.

Buyers yawn at new electric car models

by  • 

It’s been a dispiriting sales season so far for those who hoped that electric cars like the GM Volt and Nissan’s Leaf would transform the auto industry. In fact, the two vehicles have had crushingly disappointing sales figures so far. The Volt sold only 281 units and the Nissan just 67 units in February. What’s the problem? Freelance writer Mark Whittington says Consumer Reports suggests reasons. The Volt sells for a price in the mid $40,000s but it does not get very good mileage compared to conventional competitors like the hybrids Toyota Prius and the Ford Fusion. The mileage deteriorates during cold weather because the car’s heater runs on the electric battery. Consumer Reports found similar problems with the Nissan Leaf, though it costs about $10,000 less than the Volt. Recharging may also be an issue. The inconvenience of having to leave the vehicle for five hours as it recharges may be a powerful disincentive.