[Andrew Gilmour]

Just seen this post online. Seems legit. The rumour mill suggests they’re also stopping their “£25 off when you spend £50” deals on tackle, which was always helpful for stocking up on tippet etc

[Dave Robb]

https://thestrayferret.co.uk/harrogate-country-sports-shop-orvis-set-to-close/

Seems to be true.  They’re a company who really need to decide where they want to be and this might be the change that’s required.  A refocus on tackle would be a good thing.

 Too much clothing for sale, a lot of which seems overpriced.  I’ve not seen the £25 off £50 for tackle in ages.  I used to take advantage fairly regularly but in recent times you’ve either had to spend more to get a discount or it’s been on clothing only.

To be fair I don’t think I’ve bought anything from them since the Banchory store closed.

[James Laraway]

seems very odd.

Everytime, I visit an Orvis shop is it clear where the focus is, and its not on fishing tackle - and now they want to close their stores to concentrate on fishing tackle ?

Something strikes me as 'not quite right'

A real shame for the UK high street and for all those working in the shops....

[Terry Coging]

I hear that in the US the quality of clothing did not live up to the price tag.
So, back to core products.

[Hamish Young]

I have a long history with Orvis and although I stepped away from their Orvis Endorsed Guide programme when the Banchory store closed, I have maintained relationships with many people in the organisation. So I am aware that this sad news is indeed 'gospel' and all the UK stores other than Stockbridge are to close, with the loss of jobs that until just a few weeks ago probably seemed reasonably secure.
It is a shame, especially as there is some truth in what James says - somehow Orvis UK has been confused in its brand identity with the focus seemingly on many things other than fishing for some time.
Mission creep (and no, that's not a casting fault with a new Orvis Salmon rod  ) has plagued the brand IMHO, which might be addressed by the re-organisation of the UK effort.
H

[Mike Barrio]

I stepped away from their Orvis Endorsed Guide programme when the Banchory store closed

I wonder what other endorsed guides will do in the current situation Hamish? - as I guess most, like yourself, joined the programme through friends that are/were working at one of the shops.

I do like Orvis gear, the Access is still my go to #7 rod and my current wading boots are the light Orvis ones.

[Hamish Young]

To be honest I really don't know what the OEGs will do, but if speculating I'd expect that there might be a rethink of the OEG programme too whilst the UK side of Orvis is reorganised.

I have a soft spot for a great many pieces of Orvis kit and whilst there are more than a few rods from Sage, Mackenzie and others in the collection, the most prized rods are very probably my original Helios rods which remain world class even some 15 years  from their launch.

[Peter McCallum]

Had a long conversation when the banchory store was closing and we speculated that this would be the final result, though I don't think we were talking about so many and it happening so rapidly.
I feel sorry for all the staff, but one glimmer of hope is that the banchory store has now been reinvented as a country store with several previous staff still there