Wiki Discussion/Retail Chains

We are getting an increasing number of instances of a retail outlet with many branches. Examples include:

I maintain that there should be generic pages describing the chain and anything that all branches have in common. Then, in the instances that all the branches really are the same, we do not need individual pages on each branch, just a list of addresses. We do not even need that if the chain's website provides this information.

There is still a need for individual writeups where there are differences, e.g. Penderel's Oak, Crosse Keys.

In cases other than pubs, every branch will have the same name. Generic writeup is under the title without a post code. Branch specifics go into titles with post codes.

Thoughts please -- IvorW

I'm in agreement; fast food chain branches are much of a muchness, for example. --Earle

This doesn't go well with my ideas on "find the nearest X", which rather assume that each thing has its own page... and some Wetherspoons, for example, are much better than others. --Roger

Ditto for Starbucks.... I don't think we want a page for every one, but maybe serparate pages for the big ones... --AlexMcLintock

Well... what's to stop us having stub pages for each branch, which provide location data, but have no content save a link to the main chain page? --Earle


Well, then why not doing both? I came across this discussion, because I was wondering if there is a generic Starbucks page available. This page could describe what the whole story is about and then you could still have individual branch pages (e.g. the Starbucks close to Angel tube station has a beautiful Mezzanine level and is very convenient if you're looking for a somewhat clean toilet in the area or the one right on New Oxford Street is one where your laptop or handbag has a high chance of disappearing (I had a long chat with the manager there about that problem!)). Too much work? Too many pages? --Marco


I think at least a stub page for each branch is useful if one of the purposes of the guide is to be able to let people know "what is within X metres of here". Boils down to the discussion of what is this guide for? (and who is the audience?) -- MarkG

Last edited 2006-02-14 15:32:28 (version 8; diff). List all versions.