Does Wilmslow risk becoming a ghost town?

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We are less than a month into 2014 and already we have reported on a string of Wilmslow businesses that have shut up shop this year.

Amongst the recent closures are both independents and national chains including: Yogberries, Hullabaloo Toys, Margarita Lounge, Claires', Shalimar Indian Restaurant and Jane Shilton which is preparing to close.

These news stories have generated a lot of comments, both on the website and social media sites like Twitter and Facebook, with some people saying it is down to the high rents and rates or competition from the internet or nearby shopping centres.

Many have commented that Wilmslow risks becoming a ghost town, with only "coffee shops and phone shops" left, whilst others feel it is pretty normal for this time of year or that the individual businesses concerned didn't provide what people wanted.

Many retailers have called for people to support their local shops more and several suggestions for encouraging this have been put forward, including introducing a Wilmslow loyalty card, free parking, and the need for incentives to attract and help businesses to survive.

Tate Jones, owner of The Goalpost on Bank Square, contacted us to ask wilmslow.co.uk to highlight this issue further with our readers and ask them what they would like to see in Wilmslow, what would make people shop locally more often?

Tate and I had a conversation about the recent closures and his experience of running an independent business in Wilmslow, see below. I've also spoken with other business owners and councillors about their thoughts and suggestions.

Why do you think so many businesses have closed in Wilmslow recently?

Tate: It's January so this is pretty much normal. Businesses tend to hold out for a good Christmas and maybe for some the rush never came and decided to pull the plug to prevent further loss. Also, how many people actually understand the economic benefits of shopping in their town? Some will drive miles to save a pound here and there or shop online to save a pound, if that... but good luck getting the goods on time and when there's a fault it can turn into a nightmare. It's hard to beat human contact in your town, and obviously at a competitive
price with exceptional, consistent and adaptable service."

What are the main challenges facing Wilmslow businesses?

I had an interesting conversation with a group at a networking event in Wilmslow regarding our residents fear of entering an independent shop. They said they were basically scared of entering a local shop, due to the fear of pressure, the guilt of not buying - and the prices. They also assume the choice isn't there and assuming the same product can be bought in Stockport, Trafford Centre and online - and a lot cheaper- without even entering!

This wasn't just about our shop but about indies in general in Wilmslow. It's also hard when locals write off indies without giving us a chance and by saying, "oh, I'll give them 6 months..." It takes a lot of planning, graft and guts to set up and run a business and it's easy to overlook this. Most are family run, residing in Wilmslow. The money isn't channelled to HQ - it is used and spent locally. Rents and rates are part of the business plan. We pay a premium to be in Wilmslow and wished more people were out on the pavement.

What changes would you like to see in Wilmslow town centre, or new initiatives?

Without question, it would be two hour free parking. An hour isn't enough. People can't relax when they are out shopping in Wilmslow. They're afraid to get parking tickets so therefore it's easier to go to a retail park/mall where it's free. An hour isn't enough time for a shop or a chat over a coffee. Two hour free parking is normal practice in small town, suburbs in the U.S. I lived in different towns in the States for 9 years and always noticed this. I'd also like to see more events and use the Bank Square area more. A drastic change would to see the Bank Square area totally revamped like Poynton where it's nice and open with a nice fountain or centre piece so people could look around when they're passing thru. Emergency Rate Relief would be welcomed with open arms, too!

What do you think businesses need to do to attract more customers to shop locally?

We need more unique, quirky shops with exceptional personal service. Knutsford is a good example. Grove Street could do with a facelift, the red brick and open space can look very depressing,. Perhaps more benches, fountain, plants etc. Make it look more appealing rather than a sad High St. Wilmslow should be a special experience.

Can/should the Council help at all?

Yes, absolutely! Apart from the facelift they need to organize events to increase footfall. Look at how effective the Wilmslow Motor Show and this was driven by Steve Kennedy. He's a great example of how to get stuff done in the town. The Ginger Bread and Scarecrow hunt were also beneficial and the council should take note of this.

 

Cllr Keith Purdom, Chairman of Wilmslow Town Council said "It's very disappointing to see Wilmslow lose retail or any business but the retailers leaving do seem part of a worrying trend that is affecting towns throughout the UK. Each closure will have its own specific reasons for closure but internet shopping and the proximity of the large retailers on the bypass are both significant I personally believe.

"The very successful Artisan market was an excellent initiative that I hoped would be supportive of our retailers and of course we hope that moving it to a Sunday will enable retailers to maximise their Saturday sales and help them on Sundays - I hope more and more retailers will open on Sundays as I feel that the more shops and services that are open on Sunday then the more shoppers we will attract to the town."

Speaking about the changes he would like to see in Wilmslow, Cllr Purdom said "I would like to see all the shops occupied and trading. It's easy to blame business rates for all the problems that retailers face and personally I am empathetic to retailers complaints but these are of course well outside the remit of the Town Council. Persuading more people to shop more often in Wilmslow - to spend longer in town when they visit.

"Use it or lose it really is how I regard our shops. Do I shop on the bypass yes of course I do but I also support local businesses as much as I can. Initiatives such as the scarecrow festival and the Gingerbread men are excellent and help differentiate Wilmslow form other local shopping locations."

He added "I don't presume to tell them their business other than I know that excellent service gets me returning and returning - and that one bad experience puts me off completely. So I am not a retailer but I am a shopper - what gets me back to a shop is outstanding service - not ordinary service but something more than I expected so I tend to go back where the service is excellent."

I also asked Cllr Purdom what the Town Council could do to help local businesses prosper.

He replied "It's not our remit to support individual businesses but we do work hard and long hours especially by the Community and Order committee in organising events that are intended to bring shoppers in to the town centre to increase footfall - the markets, Christmas lights and the switch on event would be examples and of course we brightened up the floral displays no end which was very well received by retailers and shoppers alike."

Speaking about the recent closures, Steve Kennedy of Mailbox Etc said "The shape of the high street is changing but we shouldn't be complacent! I'm a service business, still trading well after 14 years, but I don't buy and sell anything. I think 'Barkers' will work because of their service... it will also hold people in town while their pooch is groomed, and if they've got to wait 45 minutes, they'll coffee/lunch/shop (I hope).

"A service element is, I think, key to survival. Merely buying and selling has too much competition on-line but it can work if you play the on-line game, and gain substantial European sales as well!"

Joanna Davies, owner of Black White Denim, said "It's a very tough climate. Committing to rent and rates at this time is a very serious obligation and opening a business and expecting to earn a living immediately in this day and age is a fallacy."

Joanna added "I would like to see free parking, lower business rates and more generic town advertising. Also businesses need to get to know their customers, value them and give them a reason to visit."

Catherine Mackenzie, Chairman of Wilmslow Business Group, has also kindly shared her thoughts on the recent business closures and ideas for improving Wilmslow town centre.

Why do you think so many businesses have closed in Wilmslow recently?

Catherine: First of all, I would like to say that it's a great shame that we have lost a number of retail and leisure businesses recently. As a business owner myself, I really feel for the owners, their staff and their families.

There are obviously a range of reasons why businesses have closed. Closures of multiples can be due to a change in group strategy – for example: Argos changed their strategy to focus more on their Extra units. However, a number of the businesses that have closed have pointed to high rents and rates and Wilmslow residents not supporting them.

There is no denying it - the rents are high. However, I have to admit an element of confusion. Have the landlords suddenly sprung the high rents on these businesses? I wouldn't have thought so. These businesses would be fully aware of the rents that the landlords were demanding. So the issue is that the businesses have been unable to secure sufficient sales to cover their costs.

This brings to bear a number of issues – firstly was it ever a viable business, was it offering a product or service that consumers wanted, of the right quality and at the right price; and could it ever have generated sufficient income? Secondly did the business manage and market itself effectively?

Pointing the finger at the Wilmslow residents is a nonsense. Like any consumer - give me a retail and leisure offer that I want and I am prepared to pay for; supported by a "nice" environment; and make sure I know about it and I will come to Wilmslow to do my shopping.

What do you think businesses need to do to attract more customers to shop locally?

Firstly they need to really think about their business and marketing strategy. They need to offer products and services that Wilmslow residents want to purchase; and will attract people into Wilmslow. They need to put on their own events which will entice customers in to their store, to develop a relationship with them, so that ultimately they will purchase from them. They also need to look at their online and social media strategies.

They need to engage with the local community. We have some great examples of businesses that already do this. The Goal Post has only been in Wilmslow 12 months, but has already developed great links with local schools and football academies, as part of their route-to-market.

They need to speak to other Wilmslow businesses so together we can help one another. As Chairman of the Wilmslow Business Group I have asked the retailers and leisure operators to get involved with the Group and to tell us what help they need; as has Diane Smith, our Town Centre Manager from Cheshire East Council; and the landlord, Orbit. However, there is great apathy from the retailers to get involved. I hope Ella Jane Brookebanks's initiative to get the retailers together is more successful.

They need to embrace the initiatives that are already organised for them – the Scarecrow Festival; the Artisan Market; the Motor Show; the Wilmslow Winter Wander Round; and the Christmas Lights Switch On. Not only should they use these events as opportunities to showcase their products and services; but they should look to get involved in organising and managing these events and others.

What changes would you like to see in Wilmslow town centre or new initiatives?

The town centre lacks heart and cohesion, with certain parts of the town centre feeling shabby. Some of that is down to the building stock – which obviously needs investment.

Wilmslow Town Council and the volunteers at Incredible Edible have worked hard this year to brighten up the town centre – which was great; and I know that they are planning now for later this Spring and Summer. However, there are areas of the town centre which need more than a few planters, for example the area outside Tesco Express constantly looks scruffy; and the grassed area on Alderley Road in front of the Leisure Centre needs some love and attention.

We should develop and implement a marketing plan for the town centre. We should do this from a commercial perspective – thinking about which companies, retailers and leisure operators we would want to attract to the town centre; and from a consumer perspective – to encourage people from Wilmslow and further afield to use the town centre.

We should look at the public assets that we currently have in the town centre – and how we can use them better than we are currently to encourage more people into the town centre – Bank Square, the Leisure Centre, the Library and the open space in front of the new Chilli Banana. Steve Kennedy of Mailboxes Etc had a great idea to provide cover in Bank Square so it can become the heart of the town centre and we can hold mini music festivals, film screenings etc.

Can/should the Council help at all?

Yes. The Town Council, Cheshire East Council and the business community should work together to ensure that Wilmslow is an attractive environment and that Wilmslow is marketed effectively to bring in new business and the consumers.

 

Please do add your thoughts about what you would like to see in Wilmslow and what would make you do more of your shopping in the town via the comment box below.

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Comments

Here's what readers have had to say so far. Why not add your thoughts below.

Nick Jones
Friday 24th January 2014 at 1:13 pm
Has anybody been to Altrincham town centre recently ?? Same
Macclesfield ?? Same
If were not going to use them as shops, and were not going to support local busines...use the empty shops as town centre housing / accommodation.
James Hanson
Friday 24th January 2014 at 2:37 pm
Rent and rates are killing off small and large businesses in many towns - when Simon Dunn closed he said the rent & rates was a major cause - then in your article about Jane Shilton you said the the rent and rates were £51,950 & £26,611.50 a year. So any business needs to make £1,500 a week (not inc staff wages) to cover the this - for any small medium or big business in a town like Wilmslow that is a lot of money to take before making any sort of profit
The council and the landlords should think is it better to get a smaller amount of Rent & Rates for a occupied shop or none for an empty shop.
This is the issue that is killing the high street!
Mark Goldsmith
Friday 24th January 2014 at 2:49 pm
The future of Wilmlsow High Street is staring at us in the face.

Shoppers are now going full circle and are returning to buying smaller quantities of food, more often and on their doorstep. The growth in supermarkets is now in small convenience stores, not big out of town shops. Increasingly, the type of food shoppers want to buy locally is higher quality, unusual items that are locally produced and are different from the multiple chains bog standard offerings.

Just like the Artisan Market does in fact.

It is no coincidence that this market regularly attracts thousands. Just think how vibrant our town center would be if 10 of these stalls became permanent shops. However, this requires a concerted effort from the Town Council to ensure that enough shops open to ensure critical mass.

One fishmongers on its own isn't enough to draw people back into the town. But a great fishmonger, butcher, deli, bread, cake and pie shop would be. These would feed off the cafe culture that is already in town to ensure both parts flourish. But the council would need to offer rate grants and funding to help the stall holders make that leap and I am not sure there is the political will or skill to do this.

The future of the high street is all about providing entertainment, discovery and experience for shoppers - just what the internet cannot do and the Artisan Market does best.
Richard Irons
Friday 24th January 2014 at 5:22 pm
I think that to be a retailer these days is soo hard,, not only are there rents, rates, minimum wage, insurances amongst a whole host of overheads, before we even think of selling one item people now have so many choices of how to buy. web, out of town, town centre, ebay, etc i am not a retailer but i am in business and understand that we all need to find ways of bringing revenue in and not just expecting it to happen.
Sarah Paterson
Friday 24th January 2014 at 5:49 pm
I grew up in Wilmslow and can remember well my mum taking me into Grove St after school to pick up food for the evening meal. Butchers, bakers, green grocers, fish shop and small supermarket provided everything she needed to fill her basket! We could even park there too! What a mess they have made of our village. Is it too much to ask that they look back at how vibrant Wilmslow once was and realise that it has been killed by greed?
DELETED ACCOUNT
Friday 24th January 2014 at 6:48 pm
Knutsford does well, apart from the small area which is pedestrianised where the thriving market once was, and the key to its success is not just in the type of shops but the fact that traffic flows through the two major roads. Wilmslow used to to be a thriving town when traffic could flow through Grove St. Now that street is dead for two thirds of it and at the end by the banks it is blocked by cars parking. Really Wilmslow is no longer a town with a heart, but the solution is not to pedestrianise more but to open it up again.
Rachael Fennessey
Friday 24th January 2014 at 9:15 pm
The high street in Wilmslow is a real let down. It is distinctly lacking in the supply of good quality food. There is no butchers? I believe the fishmongers has closed down now as well. I struggle to source organic foods, meat, vegetables, dairy produce, milk etc. I'd much rather buy these from a local store than ordering online. There surely is a need for a nice deli selling meats, cheeses, breads, condiments etc. like the stalls at the artisan markets. There is a need for a decent coffee shop. not just the chains, an independent, quirky, good quality coffee shop/continental deli. There is a distinct need for a couple of nice wine bars. There is nowhere cool in Wilmslow! ! yet there are cool people who would frequent these places. what about child friendly/ focussed cafes? what about outside seating? There are so few places you can sit outside when the sun is out. is this down to council restrictions?
wilmslow could learn a lot from didsbury/ West didsbury and Knutsford. its lacking in so much yet the money is here in the local area to be spent. There needs to be more independent businesses opening and offering quality food/coffee/wine/socialising epicentre. wilmslow lacks in any vibe and with the right shops/ eateries/cafes/delis opening it could be so right! it needs sorting out before we do live in even more of a ghost town.
Graham Jackson
Friday 24th January 2014 at 10:53 pm
Jackie makes a good point. Knutsford has a thriving ribbon of shopping streets which allows parking on the road. Yes its a hassle sometimes, but the fact that the cars are there means people are there - shopping.
Pedestrianisation worked okay for the time but times have changed. The road could be closed on Sunday for the market.
Allow parking on Grove Street like Knutsford and the people will come back.
Geoffrey Gibbons
Saturday 25th January 2014 at 12:18 pm
I agree with the comments of Jackie Pass.
Grove Street should be re-opened one way as used to be, with parking limited to say 1 hour.
I can't think of a single small town where trade has been improved by pedestrianising, and a previous comment mentions Macclesfield and Altrincham, both have suffered since stopping traffic.
Raymond Acton
Saturday 25th January 2014 at 1:32 pm
Sarah and Rachael.......Have a look at Chapel Lane.
DELETED ACCOUNT
Saturday 25th January 2014 at 2:03 pm
You are right Raymond - Chapel Lane still has proper shops and it is always busy. Workers stop for their pies at the bakers and parents pass the shops on their way to school. Chapel Interiors is my first port of call when I need paint - as cheap as the big DIY companies and the same makes - no I am not related to them, - found them by chance because they are on the internet. That is another thing I do - look on the internet for the best prices and then see if they are local and can collect because it saves postage.

The other thing needed to stop it becoming a ghost town is to have some police presence on it to reassure the public. The fact is it is safer to go to Handforth Dean or Cheadle Royal to shop than visit the high street.
Angela Kapoor
Saturday 25th January 2014 at 3:26 pm
I live in Wilmslow and have a patisserie business Cheshire Tarts which trades successfully at the Artisan Market. We bake everything from scratch at our own micro bakery in town. We would love retail premises in our home town but in the current climate we are not convinced we could generate the level of sales required to justify the rent and rates associated with retail premises here - there just aren't the numbers of shoppers in town on a daily basis to encourage us to take the risk. For that reason we are focusing on growing a wholesale business for the time being with our retail trade limited to local specialist food markets. If there were daily street trading opportunities in central Wilmslow for a small number of homegrown artisan businesses we would certainly participate - that would bring character and life to the town. We just want to trade and supply residents with beautiful hand baked goods - if it's from a gazebo we are quite happy to do that!!
Steph Walsh
Saturday 25th January 2014 at 5:40 pm
The only reason why Knutsford looks lively is because the two main streets are not pedestrianised. If you visit it regularly throughout the year though, you will know that it is only the restaurants in the evening that are racking them in because during the day, cars notwithstanding, the place is hardly doing any business.

Over a scant 24 months, numerous shops have closed down, for example The Cherry Tree Gallery, Fibre + Clay, The Lemon Tree, Facets, The Christine Ireland Gallery, The Cook's Emporium, House, Wearabout, The Naked Mannequin, The Summerhouse, Via Via, The Cake Shop... and these are merely the first few that spring to my mind. Starbucks upped sticks in 2010. Knutsford itself is turning into a raft of eating places and convenience supermarkets in fact its decline started before Wilmslow's own, around 2010, when the supposed 'prime shopping location', the pedestrianised drag between top and bottom street, demonstrated that it was, in fact, a dud. In fact, after Starbs left that location, an art gallery occupied the shop and later closed as well (I think it was possibly late 2012).

So, no, Knutsford is not doing better than Wilmslow.
Angela Kapoor
Saturday 25th January 2014 at 6:19 pm
I agree Steph, although the units are smaller in Knutsford so more viable (on the face of it) for an independent and because there has not historically been the demand from multiple retailers that there has been in Wilmslow I don't think the rents are quite as high. But it is quiet - ignore the cars parked up and look at the numbers of people on the street and in the shops - except when the Artisan Market is on it is very low. We did some market research there when we were considering some modest retail premises and out of 7 days a week our Knutsford customers overwhelming responded that they would tend only to visit their town centre on a Thursday or a Saturday - that was sufficiently conclusive for us to decide not to proceed.
Steph Walsh
Saturday 25th January 2014 at 7:28 pm
Yes Angela, it makes total sense. However, regarding rents, I've been checking them out in recent times, and I recall that after The Cook's Emporium left its premises, the shop was advertised at a rent of £30,000p/a. The rent in the new defunct The Cherry Tree Gallery was £23,000p/a, while The Lemon Tree paid £16,000p/a. After Fibre + Clay left its premises, the place was on the market at £15,500p/a.

Perhaps the most interesting element of all here is what Starbucks did. It opened in 2007 when the Royal George development was complete (that drag between top and bottom street I referred to earlier). They signed a 10-year lease at the time but a scant 3 years later they felt forced to leave because they were experiencing a constant rent increase that they deemed out of proportion and not in line with their desired profit margin. They even knew at the time that the landlord wanted to have an art gallery in their place and, of course, it turned out to be true because one opened once Starbs left and closed less than two years later. By the way, this isn't hearsay... I was friendly with the girls there and they told me.

Sure, it's true that the rents are very high (I recall one place advertised in Alderley last year at £40,000p/a) but the problem is the lack of footfall. Or, when we do have the footfall, see on Artisan Market day, at least insofar as Wilmslow is concerned, people spend at the stalls and not in the shops.
Jo Crinson
Saturday 25th January 2014 at 8:12 pm
I love our town centre and am genuinely concerned that Wilmslow as a Shopping centre is on the decline.

I am already making a conscious effort to shop in Wilmslow if I can buy the goods I want there, and will shop at independent shops in preference to supermarkets and on line stores in an effort to increase visitors.

To get me in town more, I would love to see a traditional butchers, where I can get advice and suggestions like in days gone by. I'd also like to see an artisan bakers and cheese shop / deli, as well as more boutique shops for dresses, accessories, shoes and bags.

We are sadly lacking great night spots in Wilmslow too. Since the closure of Wilmslow Wine Bar, there just is no where to go for night out as a 40 something year old in Wilmslow any longer. The Coach and Four is lovely, but more variety is needed and where else would you go for a night out these days? We socialise with friends and family from all over the UK, and always dine out and drink in Knutsford or Alderley. We would love to be socialising in Wilmslow but seriously, where?

Back to shopping on the high street. - Parking is an issue and I would like to see more parking facilities and increasing the current time allowance from 1 to 2 hours would certainly help.

Come on Wilmslow, use our lovely amenities and shop on the high street, our retailers deserve our support and we would seriously all miss them if we ended up living in a ghost town.
Drew Donaldson
Sunday 26th January 2014 at 4:09 pm
I am one of those infuriating Wilmslow residents who will only do business with retailers, where I can park my car outside their premises, free of charge. Simple really. I guess I am not alone.......
Roy Sower
Sunday 26th January 2014 at 4:41 pm
We're fairly new to the area having been here since only 2010. We shop in Wilmslow, Alderley Edge, on the A34 bypass (M&S, Tesco) etc; occasionally to the Trafford Centre and into Manchester - and we buy a variety of things online. I don't think we are any different to others in our shopping habits.

So what would make us spend more in Wilmslow and less elsewhere?

We already have 2 hour parking courtesy of the car park at Waitrose - and there is a decent sized (pay) car park off Water Lane - and more than adequate council car parks by the leisure centre and Sainsburys, so we don't find parking to be the issue.

Grove Street is a desperate place at times, particularly on non-market Sundays. Pedestrian precincts are now well past their use by date and I think that the council might think about opening it up to traffic. It seems as if it isn't part of Wilmslow at all when compared to Water Lane and Alderley Road - only on Artisan Market day does it have any life. Opening up Grove Street to traffic - or the alternative of somehow creating a 'boulevard' effect in the existing street - would both enhance the look and feel but would they also increase shop sales?

Does Wilmslow want to compete with Alderley Edge - this might mean a lot more decent wine bars… I don't think there's any use comparing Wilmslow to Knutsford as its much further away. Waitrose in Wilmslow will have to up its game (its a drab shop to walk around) once Waitrose in AE expands after the Co-op closes. http://bit.ly/1aAkQ1F

I don't have any answers - except to say that I like mooching around AE - its a village not a small town. I like Wilmslow as well - except for Grove Street which must be a real turn-off to visitors. On a cold, wet, day, particularly a Sunday it feels like a remote outpost.

I think that the 'Welcome to Wilmslow' signs and flowers have been a fantastic thing and the Incredible Edible - they lift your spirits! So Wilmslow needs to maintain these initiatives and add a lot more. There might just be a link between a really nice small town called Wilmslow and lots of new businesses opening up, including some really good wine bars!!
Nick Jones
Sunday 26th January 2014 at 5:47 pm
RoW enjoy Wilmslow, that's why we are here....... and that's why its important to keep the town centre alive . Altrincham are suffering the same town centre demise... if anything I would say they have it worse!! But they have taken the simple initiative to try and increase ‘foot-fall’ and compete against the supermarkets / out of town facilities with cheap town centre car parking... OK it’s not nil-rate in all places, and they have more ‘pay to park’ locations............ but charges have been slashed to try and improve the town centre parking. 10p for 1 hour in all Council car parks and on-street parking bays. 30p for 2 hours, some car parks offer free parking completely and others have reduced tariff for long stay.
The yellow perils (traffic Wardens) no longer hunt like a pack of crazed locusts ... and although reducing the revenue stream from parking fines.... its simple steps to assist the town survival.
(I personally think that Altrincham lost its heart and soul a long time ago...... Wilmslow still has it and it needs all our RoW support). I know the Wilmslow Business Group is very supportive of the town, they too need some support here from those in authority. There is a will, There is a way.. And there are people that can make positive things happen.
When you then add the fact that Jessop’s and other re-born high street brands are offering goods for sale in the store at the same price they can be bought on- line then purchase of consumables becomes attractive in face to face contact as opposed to just e-commerce.
This obviously isn’t the same for food and other kinds of retail wheremany previous threads here have demonstrate the difficulty that Wilmslow businesses are experiencing with rent / rates / jobs /energy bills etc etc... I understand the frustration of more charity shops on reduced tariffs...but without a thriving day time economy the night time / evening economy will also suffer.
So in simplistic terms ... there are a variety of things that can be done, all of which have consequences, (that are not themselves simplistic)... mainly reduced revenue.... but is some revenue better than no revenue?? Are some jobs better than no jobs ?? are some people using/enjoying the town better than no people using/enjoying the town ??
There are many passionate people scribing threads and thoughts here to improve our town, but are the right people listening ?, and more importantly will they invoke some of the change needed to get people back into the town and make it vibrant once more..
Jon Williams
Monday 27th January 2014 at 9:38 am
You could never open up Grove Street to traffic due to new Road Traffic legislation, it would not be safe, make the town center like Poynton yes !
DELETED ACCOUNT
Monday 27th January 2014 at 2:57 pm
If this road could not be opened to traffic then the sensible thing would be to make this street offices rather than shops. That makes some sense in that Wilmslow would then only have two major roads - Altrincham and Alderley Road and the area in front of the Leisure Centre could become the town centre.

As to parking CEC needs to address the fact that the most central carpark by the library and Sainsbury's you have to pay a lot to use. This does not encourage people to remain in the town. Sainsburys do what they can and reimburse the money if you spend enough but it still only gives you 2 hours. Now this sounds like a long time but getting shopping and going to the library can easily fill most of that time. I don't believe that CEC will ever bring down the rate on this carpark because they see it merely as a source of revenue.
Vince Chadwick
Monday 27th January 2014 at 7:25 pm
I agree with Tate in Lisa's interview; Grove Street needs some livening up with benches, fountains, planters etc, and some creative paving designs. It looks a bit bleak as it is, just a car-less version of the old Grove Street. I think those who call for de-pedestrianising it might be looking back through rose tinted specs; it was awful! Our children were little back then, and I well remember trying to negotiate a push chair down the very narrow and crowded pavements in an environment given over 90% to cars and 10% to people! We do need more and probably free parking, but some people seem to want to have to walk no more than a few feet from their cars! Not even the Handforth Dean or the Trafford Centre cater for that level of laziness.

The run-down of many town centres has been brought about by out-of-town shopping with associated large car parks. Altrincham's death was brought about by the Trafford Centre, and when Handforth Dean was built the major retailers there contributed financially to the building of the Wilmslow Bypass - a feeder road from Wilmslow direct to their car parks! They didn't make that contribution for altruistic reasons.

Some people associate Grove Street's pedestrianisation with the run down of the town, but the pedestrianisation has probably delayed the rate of run-down, a run-down caused largely by nearby and accessible out of town shops with free parking.

And the Bank Square environment needs a complete re-think. That big open area which for much of the time is disused could be developed in any one of many creative ways, to make it an attractive part of our town rather than a visual reminder that whoever planned it appears to have simply run out of ideas.
Rehana Hindle
Tuesday 28th January 2014 at 12:23 am
So sorry to see you go.
It's a shame to see the rents being so high when the interest rates and base rates are so low! I wonder if we can have a wilmslow town centre QE !!
On a serious note Poynton pavements idea would really help/ change of traffic flow
Mabel Taylor
Tuesday 28th January 2014 at 1:30 pm
Wilmslow is suffering the same fate as other towns where large supermarkets and out of town centres have opened, as there is over-capacity in retail as populations have not increased that much.
While people may profess to care about their town centres in reality they prefer to shop where parking is free and convenient.
Furthermore town rents and business rates have been a cash cow for far too long, but in to-day`s market are far too expensive for small businesses.
Possibly time for a radical re-think whereby our town centres return to the old model of mixed retail, leisure and accommodation for people to actually live in our town centres- then you would quickly see the return of the much-loved artisan businesses serving on the spot local residents, and our town centres would take on some of the vibrancy of European towns.
Steph Walsh
Tuesday 28th January 2014 at 4:04 pm
I'll tell you what though, it is my strong impression that, when all is said and done, people love to have pretty, unusual shops to browse into but aren't so often keen on putting their money where their mouths are. I heard this many, many times from different friends in Knutsford who ran different shops. Their view too was that the locals love to have a pretty town centre with pretty things around, shops to kill time into, but then they come in to scope an item in person and later buy it online (or at the local JL) instead.

And the problem truly is nation-wide, it isn't just Wilms.
Kathleen Morris
Wednesday 29th January 2014 at 9:52 am
Intereresting to see that so many would offer solutions based on either re-openming Grove St to traffic or obstructing it with planters etc. Where would these solutions leave the artisan market? Or is the implication that getting rid of rhe market would be an improvement?
Derek Stevens
Wednesday 29th January 2014 at 9:55 am
Kathleen
The artisan market would still be on Grove Street. You just close the road for the day as they do in Knutsford
Simon Worthington
Wednesday 29th January 2014 at 10:55 am
Knutsford is not booming - it gets by. The tipping point has been reached and the number of non-retail outlets is about to outnumber retail. I have said for years that if a business (bank, building society, takeaway etc.) wishes to trade in an area zoned for retail than they must open retail hours especially on Saturdays. This is one reason why the north end of Grove Street is so desolate. The sheer number of non-retailers including opticians, charity shops, coffee shops, banks and fastfood/takeaways have long eroded any choice. No greengrocer, butcher, wineshop, toyshop - the list goes on as they cannot afford to pay the overheads.
Paris took a good look at London many years ago and decided that they didn't want the homogenous high street UK style. They made sure that a certain number of properties must be available at low rent for "quirky" and unusual shops to increase the ambiance. Perhaps we can learn something!
Roy Sower
Thursday 30th January 2014 at 4:28 pm
The news in this week's Wilmslow Express that the stallholders at the Artisan Market are seeing a much lower footfall simply underlines the danger that the market itself could fold unless it returns to a Saturday. The artisan market needs a busy Grove Street i.e. all the shops open and the shops needs the increased footfall the market brings with it. If the artisan market were to go it would be very sad - and perhaps the ghost town would move a step closer.

I've never understood the view that moving the artisan market in Grove Street to a Sunday would help the shops there. We always shopped at the market AND at local shops on a Saturday market day. Now, going to the (smaller) artisan market on a Sunday with most of the Grove Street shops closed, is getting harder to do - is this what Wilmslow wants and needs?

Is any of this blog getting to the local council?
Lisa Reeves
Thursday 30th January 2014 at 4:40 pm
Hi Roy, this local news site has a very significant local audience. In the last 31 days 25,482 unique browsers have visited wilmslow.co.uk (and 17,954 have visited alderleyedge.com).

Amongst our readers, and those members who receive our weekly newsletters are members of both Wilmslow Town Council and Cheshire East Council - so yes it is getting to the local council.

Additionally the Communications Team at CEC monitor our websites and include links to articles they consider of importance in their internal emails.
Kathleen Morris
Saturday 1st February 2014 at 11:37 am
Derek,

Read before you comment please. A street obstructed by planters etc cannot accommodate stalls as well.

The implication of all the comments is that the public are happy to see the market die and the town centre with it. It is clear that Wilmslow people shop in supermarkets and not local privately owned shops or there would be such shops still in existence. Most of ther comments ignore the fact that when given the chance to use a small town centre the public has voted with its feet and gone either to Sainsbury;s or some other town witrh better facilities.
Pippa Jones
Sunday 2nd February 2014 at 9:30 pm
Like many people, I imagine, I wrote to WTC last year expressing my strongly held view that the Artisan market should stay on a Saturday, because most people that I know, like me, shop on Saturdays and do other things on Sundays.

Unfortunately it seems that the views of the retailers were the only views taken into account by WTC when recommending the change of day.... and it is the people who attend the market regularly who presumably are the best placed to say which day people are most likely to attend!

The Artisan Market really is the best thing to happen in our town for many years, and we seem in danger of talking ourselves down into failure. There are local people who are really committed to making the town centre a success, particularly local traders, and lots of interesting ideas circulating. We all need to be positive and get behind the people who make a difference in Wilmslow and support them... the alternative is a scruffy, messy town with nothing but supermarkets, car parks and coffee shops run by international companies.

We could all try a bit harder to shop local (someone here mentioned only shopping where he can actually park outside the shop? was that a serious comment?). Walk past the multinationals to one of our fantastic local coffee shops (Rise, Cook and baker, Hawthorn's deli), try Hoopers instead of driving to John Lewis, take your children to the Goal Post, and buy your food in Chapel Lane or from Food4Macc.

When we spend £2 on a coffee in a locally owned business, all the profit stays in the town. When we spend £2 in a multinational or a supermarket, the profit disappears elsewhere. Making an effort to shop local really does make a difference: try it! Let's hear some positive ideas on this website and elsewhere and get behind the people who want to change things for the better!
Mark Goldsmith
Sunday 2nd February 2014 at 10:21 pm
Water Lane has traffic and parking outside but its retailers are still struggling. Therefore, allowing traffic into Grove Street would be a waste of time and money.

However, it does highlight that too often the loudest opinion can get gets actioned, even if this is the wrong one. Moving the Artisan market to Sunday is a prime example of this.

For Wilmslow town to survive, it has to offer the public what it wants. It is not a charity that we should support out of a sense of public duty. Instead it is a commercial enterprise that needs to survive on its own accord by selling goods that the public wants to buy.

The people of Wilmslow have spoken with their feet and pockets in support of the market. They will readily come to the town center to buy this sort of produce. So for me the next step is to see how can the market and stall holders can go from being a once a month event to becoming a permanent part of the towns high street.
Pete Taylor
Monday 3rd February 2014 at 9:10 am
I seem to recall that the reason for pedestrianising Grove street was that it had become an absolute nightmare to walk along; the pavements were too narrow for people with push-chairs and small children and crossing between parked cars was dangerous.
Surely the sensible place to hold the market is on the "service road" which runs in front of Sainsbury's, Finnigan's(!) and the Rex buildings? This road does not actually service anything, it does not get you to anywhere that cannot be reached by other routes and is merely a free short-stay car park. A German Christmas market was held there for a couple of years and seemed to work well, with the proviso that reserved nearby parking must be provided for the trader's vans. Utilising this road on one Saturday a month (or even weekly?) would not inconvenience those other than those drivers of 4x4s who seem unable towalk more than 30 feet.
Derek Stevens
Monday 3rd February 2014 at 12:56 pm
Kathleen

I don't think that I have ever mentioned planters.
Visit the Knutsford top street on market day see what I mean

However I have lived in Wilmslow for 38 years and remember the town as very pleasant place to shop.

Perhaps you can blame the decline of Wilmslow on the arrival of Sainsburys as all the local grocers(3), butchers(4), fishmongers(2) and greengrocers(2) couldn't compete with a 'one stop' supermarket.
Perhaps it was the 'Wilmslow Card' that gave undo publicity to Wilmslow and encouraged investment landlords to push up the rents.
Perhaps it was the ridiculous amount of 'designer ware ' shops that opened leaving the town centre to die.
Perhaps it was pedestrianization that turned Grove Street from a bustling shopping thoroughfare
in to a soulless looking modern precinct type area.

It certainly wasn't the market on a Saturday, that gave some interest to Grove Street, to blame.

If Wilmslow is to survive, like many other market style towns around the country, there must be interest created in the shopping area and unfortunately the casual visitor might be put off as they pass through by the 'high end stores' that are positioned on Alderley Road and completely miss the 'local shops' that could lurk down Grove Street, Bank Square Area and Hawthorn Lane.

Knutsford's King Street is always 'interesting' to drive down and perhaps encourages the visitor to stop and peruse.

The pedestrian access has never seen to be an issue for the locals.

Here's a thought - Raze the whole area to the ground and let our favourite local builder have his way. At least green belt areas around us would be safe! Only kidding
Nick Jones
Monday 3rd February 2014 at 8:07 pm
What about creating some incentives for town centre shops? So if we want a town centre butchers / fish shop/ artisan baker, give them some help to get a foot on the ladder... I.e. Reduction in rates, maybe support for shared use premises, And in an ideal world assist a negotiated rent with the owners for short reviewable period... Maybe an artisan baker / organic butcher / small indoor market type arrangement ?.

What sort of shops do we actually want ?? we are well blessed with coffee shops, jewellers, charity shops, phone shops ..... OK this isn’t fair on the fully paid up High St ventures.. and I know it creates an uneven playing field.... but threads here suggest the interest to develop the town is there ... (The recent fish shop/ other commercial closures may suggest otherwise), but maybe there is an opportunity to do more than stand on the sidelines and do nothing.

As I said this is a simplistic view, the commercial success will depend on the product / service. What we don’t need is more of the same .......... And if there’s no appetite for change, convert some of the empty premises into residential and let people live back in the town. Now if only we had a cinema ..... Oh we did !!!
Mario West
Monday 3rd February 2014 at 9:26 pm
Nick,

If you look slightly further afield from the town centre, there is a road which has a bakery, a butchers, a fish shop, a small (family run) convenience store which sells fruit and veg, as well as two chinese takeaways, an indian takeaway, five hairdressers (at the last count), a clothes shop, a stationers, a flower shop, a newsagents, a 'white goods' shop, a car parts shop, a stationary shop, plumbers/builders merchants as well as a paint/decorating store, artists shop and a shoe shop (apologies if I forgot any others).

The road??? Chapel Lane.

Clearly the rents are affordable in this area and people actually shop there. I would suggest that if we, as a community, really want to support family owned, local businesses then people shop there. If that means that the town centre has to adapt and look to different shops (clothes, dining, entertainment) to survive, then I suggest that's the best option. I don't understand why people feel that a single road in the town centre, with no parking outside has to include these sort of shops to be viable.

Surely it is better for the town centre to become a destination drawing in people from a wider area, rather than a place to buy the basics (when evidence suggests that most people use supermarkets for these). Simply dividing the limited customer base between more shops doesn't make sense.

Remember that supporting new ventures in the town centre may jeopardize the existing businesses viability by taking their existing trade away, so subsidies that may aim to assist, may actually cause more harm in the long run.

I don't have an answer to the town centre issue, but I would hope that any plans look holistically at Wilmslow as a whole and don't favour one location over another (and break what works well at the same time).
James MacDonald
Friday 21st February 2014 at 10:43 pm
Shops in town centres are dying due to several reasons:

- Supermarkets with their ability to procure in bulk for less and sell for less
- Out of town shopping centres with free parking and everything under one roof
- WWW, have a website, some stock, a place to store it and some marketing, sell for less
- A lot of shoppers want to support local but want to pay less, something has to give
- Laziness of some, must park outside the store and for free
- High cost of rent and rates in town centres can make starting or running a business prohibitive

Maybe the question should be should we save them or what do we expect from a town centre? Maybe in the future they only come alive at night with bars and restaurants and during the day they are offices.

As Mario pointed out Chapel Lane is alive with some of the shops traditionally found in a town centre. Perhaps this is the future, instead of shops in the town centre, they are found in several areas within a town where the rent is much lower and the shops are able to serve their immediate community.

PS Talk of removing a pedestrianised area is crazy. One of the key reasons for doing this is safety in terms of avoiding an accident and lowering vehicle emissions in the area. Lots of drivers park on pavements now like it is the 'norm' even though it is illegal. Return pavements to pedestrians!