Main streets need revamped before the alleys, businesses have been hanging on by their fingernails and the photo billboards are a pointless turdpolish.
Granted some commendable efforts are being made in English street and Thomas street and Ogle street, these were sorely needed. But the plethora of barbers, cafes and charity shops only point to a decline in retail and rise in service availability, that so clearly marks a declining commercial structure.
Yes, the council Regeneration Scheme certainly helped improve some of the main street fronts and fill empty units which has been great to see! But is it really the look of the main streets that have businesses hanging on by their fingernails or a larger economic issue? Many people share the same gripe about barbers, cafes and the like springing up across the city but - again - is it better to see these units occupied than vacant? Perhaps some ingenuity across the city centre - on both main and side streets - may prompt a more diverse range of businesses to open up shop?
I agree that a utilized rather than empty property is preferable. But there are a few points to add, firstly yes it does demonstrate a deeper economic problem, one that takes a greater strategy. Part of this is the simple fact that despite the idea of infinite retail opportunities, the authorities and merchant trade must recognize that financial resources are very finite and may generate debt in their customers until the tap finally runs dry. So big shopping complexes drain the lifeblood from the high street. In resolution the high street must provide a uniqueness. A USP to solve this, hardware stores can't beat the likes of homemade etc, clothing and domestic shops struggle to compete amongst chain stores in price and choice. To this end the doom is ahead. Similarly the big chain stores and local family run operations are missing out to the great almighty online shopping.
Thus I agree that plans to prompt a more diverse range of shops have a challenge ahead.
Added to this the housing shortage provides an opportunity to convert many of these empty properties to liveable housing, both shops and offices could be adapted. This would not only create a population within the wasteland of the evening empty town centres,
It would additionally provide a more vibrant user population for the present shops, cafes etc. but also provide community vigilance reducing antisocial behaviour and serving an actual need. Furthermore convenience stores. Takeaways etc could benefit from an all day footfall, resulting in a vibrancy that is absent at present. Not just here but globally.
Yes in time these opportunities would be exhausted, but micro villages with sustainable local communities would then exist
The city centre will need to be more of an experience in the future than just a commodity – give people reasons to come into the city centre. Out of town retail parks have drained the lifeblood from the city centre. Would a rates freeze for businesses in their first 12 months work? Could certain businesses be incentivised (back) into the city centre? Imagine a soft play centre at one of the empty properties? That would give a lot of people one good reason to come into the town centre – it would breed further business surely...but that's just a thought.
Personally I think rates should be completely abolished for the highstreets. Online retailers (Amazon, eBay etc) dont pay them so why should the local shops and services in the towns. The local authorities are taxing their own people of out business.
National and local governments already tax us at every hands turn - income tax, national insurance, value added tax, fuel tax, corporation tax, rates import duties, capital gains tax, inheritance tax and the list goes on and on and on.
The cost of living crisis is often blamed for the declining living standards and spending power but it is actually a cost of government crisis. My biggest expense isnt rent, isnt food, isnt fuel, isnt day trips and travel, it is taxation. Plus the government favours the big business and big landlords sure it cuts deals with them the whole time but not the local people who are part of the community no they will go after them with vigour.
Yes other options such as soft play centres or other attractions may help draw people back to city centre. As I said USP (unique selling point), or as stated something special. Preferably something that can have a synergy to the area and draw other interests.
Such action demands a fresh strategy, and new thinking in regards to the environment to be created. Certainly financial incentives are important but businesses that can ultimately stand on their own merit and income. No fads no income absorbers or fly by night operations.
Main streets need revamped before the alleys, businesses have been hanging on by their fingernails and the photo billboards are a pointless turdpolish.
Granted some commendable efforts are being made in English street and Thomas street and Ogle street, these were sorely needed. But the plethora of barbers, cafes and charity shops only point to a decline in retail and rise in service availability, that so clearly marks a declining commercial structure.
Yes, the council Regeneration Scheme certainly helped improve some of the main street fronts and fill empty units which has been great to see! But is it really the look of the main streets that have businesses hanging on by their fingernails or a larger economic issue? Many people share the same gripe about barbers, cafes and the like springing up across the city but - again - is it better to see these units occupied than vacant? Perhaps some ingenuity across the city centre - on both main and side streets - may prompt a more diverse range of businesses to open up shop?
I agree that a utilized rather than empty property is preferable. But there are a few points to add, firstly yes it does demonstrate a deeper economic problem, one that takes a greater strategy. Part of this is the simple fact that despite the idea of infinite retail opportunities, the authorities and merchant trade must recognize that financial resources are very finite and may generate debt in their customers until the tap finally runs dry. So big shopping complexes drain the lifeblood from the high street. In resolution the high street must provide a uniqueness. A USP to solve this, hardware stores can't beat the likes of homemade etc, clothing and domestic shops struggle to compete amongst chain stores in price and choice. To this end the doom is ahead. Similarly the big chain stores and local family run operations are missing out to the great almighty online shopping.
Thus I agree that plans to prompt a more diverse range of shops have a challenge ahead.
Added to this the housing shortage provides an opportunity to convert many of these empty properties to liveable housing, both shops and offices could be adapted. This would not only create a population within the wasteland of the evening empty town centres,
It would additionally provide a more vibrant user population for the present shops, cafes etc. but also provide community vigilance reducing antisocial behaviour and serving an actual need. Furthermore convenience stores. Takeaways etc could benefit from an all day footfall, resulting in a vibrancy that is absent at present. Not just here but globally.
Yes in time these opportunities would be exhausted, but micro villages with sustainable local communities would then exist
Just a thought to consider.
The city centre will need to be more of an experience in the future than just a commodity – give people reasons to come into the city centre. Out of town retail parks have drained the lifeblood from the city centre. Would a rates freeze for businesses in their first 12 months work? Could certain businesses be incentivised (back) into the city centre? Imagine a soft play centre at one of the empty properties? That would give a lot of people one good reason to come into the town centre – it would breed further business surely...but that's just a thought.
Personally I think rates should be completely abolished for the highstreets. Online retailers (Amazon, eBay etc) dont pay them so why should the local shops and services in the towns. The local authorities are taxing their own people of out business.
National and local governments already tax us at every hands turn - income tax, national insurance, value added tax, fuel tax, corporation tax, rates import duties, capital gains tax, inheritance tax and the list goes on and on and on.
The cost of living crisis is often blamed for the declining living standards and spending power but it is actually a cost of government crisis. My biggest expense isnt rent, isnt food, isnt fuel, isnt day trips and travel, it is taxation. Plus the government favours the big business and big landlords sure it cuts deals with them the whole time but not the local people who are part of the community no they will go after them with vigour.
Yes other options such as soft play centres or other attractions may help draw people back to city centre. As I said USP (unique selling point), or as stated something special. Preferably something that can have a synergy to the area and draw other interests.
Such action demands a fresh strategy, and new thinking in regards to the environment to be created. Certainly financial incentives are important but businesses that can ultimately stand on their own merit and income. No fads no income absorbers or fly by night operations.