Yeah, its a shame that Paul and Ross couldn't make it work. Paul was a great guy and they did a lot of hard work to get the place going. I always had a good chat to them and had no idea the last time i went in (about 2-3 weeks ago) that they were going to close. If i'd have known i would have stocked up a bit, feel a bit guilty that i only bought 1L of iodophor, some yeast and bottle tops!
Sure the bulk buys do impact guys like this, but for every person that goes into a bulk buy via AHB there is at least another 10 brewers still buying stuff via the normal means. Not to say that we shouldn't support the LHBS's any way we can, even though most of us can put up our hand and say that we've done it, however when all's said and done most of us here on AHB are better customers to our LHBS than most. All of our ISB grain bulk buys have been via one of our LHBS anyway, not Cryer Malt like some. The only bulk buy i was in that wasn't LHBS supporting was hops buys from the USA, and i've bought hops in bulk from other brewshops anyway. I don't think bulk buys are the problem, but enough about that. Let's not have the old bulk buy vs LHBS argument that's been done a million times before.
Anyway, back on topic, shame to see it go, i hope Paul and Ross the best in their future endeavours!
And guys, don't feel bad about being a vulture, it's better for them to get at least SOME return on their stock and plant before closing...