Here is the second interview in our new series entitled 'Wilmslow People'.
On a weekly basis I will be putting a set of similar questions to somebody local about their connection with Wilmslow and their thoughts about the town.
During the series the intention is to feature local people from a variety of backgrounds and different occupations. If you would like to feature in the 'Wilmslow People' series or suggest someone else then please email me [email protected].
Full name: Erik Garner
Age: 49
Occupation: Football coach and owner of Wilmslow Football Academy (WFA).
Marriage status: Married to Vicki since 1990.
Any children?
I feel like I look after half the children in Wilmslow with WFA but my own children are Callum 21 who recently graduated from Leeds Uni and is pursuing a career in sports marketing and Jordi 16 at Wilmslow High School and in the band The Lost 37.
Hobbies and interests?
I have many! Other than running WFA, Wilmslow Town FC and following Manchester United I love researching local history and my family tree. I've traced my family back to 1610 so far and we've lived in Wilmslow and Alderley since 1753 (not me personally)! I also love music, watching bands and playing guitar (badly)!
Where do you live? Albany Road, Wilmslow.
How long have you lived in Wilmslow? Almost all my life. I had a brief spell in North Wales when we moved because of my dads job.
How long have you worked in Wilmslow? On and off since 1980 but full time with WFA since 2009.
Where did you move from and why?
I made the huge move from my parents in Alderley Edge to get married and set up home with my wife. Wilmslow is cheaper than Alderley for first time buyers, at least it was back in the 80's!
What do you most like about living in Wilmslow?
It's the perfect location as it's 10 minutes from the airport, Manchester is on the doorstep and we can stroll from our house into the beautiful Cheshire countryside. I also love the fact that for such a small town we have the best schools you could possibly wish for right from primary to the fantastic high school.
I also love the amazing choice of sporting activities available to the kids in the town from rugby with Wilmslow Wolves, football with WFA, Wilmslow Town and Wilmslow Sports. There's drama clubs, athletics clubs, loads of tennis clubs, hockey clubs. The list goes on! That's why there is very little vandalism and street crime to speak of. The kids are too busy!
What changes/improvements would you like to see in Wilmslow?
The town needs to improve its sports facilities as the demand for sports increases. The Jim Everson Fields where almost all our football takes place is a prime example. The changing rooms are a disgrace, there's inadequate car parking with cars parked on the main road on Saturday and Sundays.
Its only a matter of time before a child is hit getting out of the car on Altrincham Road because there's insufficient parking space in the grounds. There used to be a cafe in the club house too but that's just been left to fall into decay.
I'd also love to see lower rates and rents for shops so that we could attract and keep some quality businesses to the town centre. I'd love to see a cinema again and parts of the centre are so tiered and unkept too.
What have been the biggest changes to Wilmslow since you have been here?
The demise of Wilmslow as an attractive shopping centre. You could buy almost anything at one time down Grove Street and it was full of quirky shops as well as high street giants like Burtons, Top Man, McDonalds, Wooly's but now its lifeless and uninspiring. We've even had to bring an Artisan Market to the town to try and pep it up! As soon as Grove Street was pedestrianised, Wilmslow town centre began to die.
While I'm at it what have they done to Lindow Common? The lake is fenced off, there is no fishing or kids sailing boats with their parents, there are no ducks anymore. It looks like a battlefield in some places.
What do you miss about the town that has since gone?
The Rex Cinema, The Flying Machine, Woolworths pick and mix, real pubs, Rare Records and a bustling Grove Street with cars allowed to drive down it.
If there is one thing about Wilmslow you could eliminate what would it be? Sky high rent for shops.
Describe Wilmslow in 3 words? My Kinda Town (do you see what I did there?)
What is your favourite way to spend a day out and about in Wilmslow or the surrounding area?
Easy. Walking with my wife and dogs around the Carrs and through Styal Woods and looking around the Mill and village. A picnic by the riverside in Northern Woods before ambling back through the town centre and reminiscing about 'Old Wilmslow'.
What is the most underrated thing about Wilmslow?
I have to harp back to its schools. I work in most of them with WFA and they are all fantastic. There used to be a time when you could single out one as being better than the other, but not now they are all outstanding. I really do think that we take them for granted. The schools are the bedrock of our society.
What are the main myths about Wilmslow?
That people have money to burn. There are a lot of wealthy people in Wilmslow but they won't be ripped off. A lot of people are outsiders moving in and so don't have the loyalty to the Wilmslow brand. They wont just 'shop local', they will shop for value.
Too many retailers and restaurant chains have moved into town over the years thinking that the locals spend their wealth in Wilmslow. It's proven to be a myth. They will spend elsewhere and shop for value. I'm as local as you can get but I won't buy in Wilmslow just because of a slogan.
I'll shop where the value is. One of the reasons we love Wilmslow, because its so close the other major shopping centres. Wilmslow has to compete with Manchester and the Trafford Centre and not least the internet.
Are you a member of a club or association based in the town?
I am the founder and chairman of Wilmslow Town Football Club. I'm also a member of the Wilmslow Business Group.
If you didn't live in Wilmslow where would you want to move to?
Alderley Edge! I just love Alderley. Did I mention that my family have lived their since 1753?
