Shops and businesses in Chapel Lane are working together to raise awareness of the area, to increase footfall, and to make it a more attractive part of the town.
Julie Dawn Potts, who runs a marketing business from her home, spoke on behalf of the Chapel Lane shops and businesses at the Wilmslow Town Council meeting on Monday, 15th June.
She said "We all agree that we need to make more people aware that Chapel Lane shops and businesses exist. We feel that this area of Wilmslow has been totally overlooked with help to promote the area and attract new visitors."
She added "Many people are totally unaware that Chapel Lane shops and businesses exist. As a first request we all agree that we need new highly visible signage."
Wilmslow Town Council agreed in principal to support this project. They are prepared to fund 3 or 4 signs to be located around the Chapel Lane area.
Councillor Keith Purdom, Chairman of Wilmslow Town Council, said "I am completely on board with this, I think we have got to take our initiatives out from the town centre more. Chapel Lane is in my own ward and would obviously be a primary example."
Julie is also getting a petition together to give to Cheshire East Council, signed by local business owners who desperately want the pavements and stone posts repaired and replaced.
As a first step to brighten up Chapel Lane a number of new planters have been installed. Wilmslow Town Council has also agreed to install planters on 4 or 5 lighting columns on Chapel Lane and set aside a budget of £150 for their installation.
Councillor Gary Barton said "The work that the Town Council did in its first four years to improve Wilmslow town centre is one of the achievements I am most proud of. Supporting local shops and businesses is an issue that is regularly raised by local residents and something I intend to put at the heart of the work I do over the next four years. But it is important that this work is not just focussed on the town centre. Chapel Lane is a vibrant area with the sort of independent business that local residents are keen to see in our town.
"Flowers alone do not solve all of the challenges facing the Chapel Lane's businesses, but they are a good and very visible first step in doing more to support the area. The new tiered planters look great and the Town Council has now also agreed to fund planters that will go on street light columns."
Comments
Here's what readers have had to say so far. Why not add your thoughts below.
I hope you have more luck with CEC over pavements, I've been banging on about their state at the top of Moor Lane and I think they just laugh under their coats, that is until somebody trips and sues them.
However I have one request: can we please have some matching bollards installed at strategic points to stop selfish drivers driving over the pedestrian point across that particular corner. The area was recently resurfaced as it had to collapsed due to the vehicular traffic traversing the pavement. But nothing has been done to discourage this activity. How long will it be before CEC or whoever's responsibility it is has to return for more repairs. I don't for one minute presume it's WTC's responsibility but I'm sure they know who to contact and lobby to get it done.
You do Chapel La a dis service when referring to it as a 'lane', it is a major thoroughfare and bus route for many, as is Water Lane, so please refer to it as Chapel Lane.
and revitalising Chapel Lane businesses . This is an area of Wilmslow that
should be supported as it offers a wealth of services that should all be
encouraged so as to keep the spirit of community and limit the inane person
less service provided by the supermarket giants . Keep up the good work.
What it urgently needs is a an ATM. A cash point would do more for business than scarecrows and flowers. It would help impromptu purchasers.
In the meantime -
Discover Chapel La - Shop at Chapel La - Support Chapel La shops
(not forgetting the business' at Stormy Point, at other end of Moor La (follow defunct Ned Yates signs)
A pleasant and friendly greeting awaits when you shop at Chapel Lane in Wilmslow. If you have not visited the area recently, now is the perfect time to re-discover this jewel in Wilmslow's crown. Hidden gems include an award winning bakery/confectioner, various fast food outlets, hairdressers for both sexes, the only car accessory shop in Wilmslow, the best home decor shops, a fishmonger and much more!
* Come and see what Chapel Lane & Stormy Point has to offer and support the very best small, independent traders. *
Geoff, the first year the Scarecrow Festival ran you enjoyed almost unanimous support from all shops and businesses on Chapel Lane, with many entrants taking a great deal of time and expense to create their entries. I know I am not alone in feeling somewhat 'left out' when it came to the judging and treasure trail aspect of the Festival. Perhaps as an organiser of the event, you could consider why almost all shops who have taken part before have voted with their feet and opted not to? These are all small businesses that consider before spending any money on any sort of marketing, and expect results from any sort of expenditure, be that traditional advertising, the Scarecrow Festival or anything else for that matter.
Which brings me onto my next point, On behalf of all the businesses on Chapel Lane I would like to thank Julie for her continued efforts to help promote the shops and businesses in the Chapel Lane area. With Julie's influence more has been achieved in the last 6 weeks than the previous 6 years I have been on Chapel Lane!
To CEC/WTC (Sorry Gary), I'm still at a slight loss as to why it has taken someone who (no disrespect at all Julie) does not own a shop on Chapel Lane before genuine wishes of shopkeepers on Chapel Lane are considered or brought to the table in meetings. Signage has been raised time and time again, first by Peter Herd's, then by Stig's Shop, all of which have written letters, sent petitions etc. All to the same effect - a letter back from Mr Osbourne saying no! (On one occasion words to the effect of 'Signage is not to be used for advertising businesses!').
Rant over, I'm off to water some plants.