Leader: Shrewsbury playing vital role in retail
There is so much gloom about that it is heartening for Shrewsbury that shopping centre boss Kevin Lockwood has such an upbeat assessment of the town’s retail prospects.
There is so much gloom about that it is heartening for Shrewsbury that shopping centre boss Kevin Lockwood has such an upbeat assessment of the town’s retail prospects.
Despite a number of sad closures in the town centre, the latest being Clinton Cards stores, Mr Lockwood, who is manager of the Darwin, Pride Hill and Riverside shopping centres, says the town continues to have a strong and vibrant retail economy which supports many jobs.
His confidence goes deeper than morale-boosting words. The £150 million New Riverside complex which is in the pipeline will mark a huge investment in Shrewsbury town centre as a retail hub. Money talks, and in this case amounts to a vote of confidence in Shrewsbury’s future.
Shops come and go. It is in the nature of things and is nothing new. What matters is the direction of travel, and on that basis the recent closures in Shrewsbury are not a mark of a general decline but just a part of retail evolution as it adapts to changing markets.
The county town is better placed than many to ride out the current storm, thanks to its range of independent shops, and the history and heritage which draws visitors who will combine their stop with a bit of shopping. These amount to unique selling points in the promotion of Shrewsbury.
Nothing can be taken for granted. Despite its attractions, Shrewsbury is still suffering its fair share of hardship. Those places which make the right decisions now will flourish and thrive – alas, only hindsight will tell us what those right decisions were.
Shrewsbury has to shape the future to its advantage – which means continuing to play its trump cards to ensure it is the number one choice for shoppers.
Comments for: "Leader: Shrewsbury playing vital role in retail"
Sam
What's frustrating about the latest two identikit articles is that they offer no real commentary - only empty words. The £150m redevelopment is significant but it is the pre-let to Debenhams that lends it weight.
Recent hospitality openings by national chain Zizzi as well as indies Bistro Jacques, Eat Up and Boiler House Coffee provide further momentum to a developing eating out and cafe culture. Independent retailers continue to fill the voids, the latest being Retro, Mollie’s and Pukka Wines.
The vacancy rate (empty units within the loop) has dropped to about 11 per cent versus a national centre average of 14.6% (LDC), while the former Jane Norman unit has been let and former Past Times and Bonmarche units are under offer.
It's very significant, too, that many of the units recently closed on 'the high street' have been national failures: Clinton Cards, Bonmarche, gamestation, Jane Norman and Past Times, reflecting Mr Lockwood's sentiment that it does not reflect poorly on the town.
The notable statement lacking is that the vacancy rate is 6.5 times worse in the three main shopping centres than it is in the rest of the town. This is not reason enough to halt redevelopment; it is justification to press ahead in doing so.
Gareth
It is a shame that instead of supporting local business and restaurants the council and shopping centre bosses are pressing on with this development.
Chain stores and restaurants - I hope they aren't the death of the brilliant local businesses we have in this beautiful historic town
John Howard
I visited both the Darwin and Pride Hill centres yesterday. There were so many empty units that I gave up counting. Most of the escalators from the bus station upwards were out of order. They couldn't even be bothered to reverse the working "Down" escalators to help people going up. Shopping in Shrewsbury is a complete waste of time and very expensive if you have a car to park. How do they expect to fill more units in the redeveloped Riverside?
Katherine de Gama
What I love about Shrewsbury shopping is the wealth of independent shops offering high quality food and unusual gifts and clothes. My friends and family from London and the south east love to shop here. The relaxed, friendly atmosphere and the fabulous architecture hep, of course. Every town has chain stores but shrewsbury has much more and that should be promoted to the hilt. Btw I'm not a retailer.
towbar
Your friends and family probably find their London and the S.E incomes make prices attractively cheap when compared with those they pay for the same goods 'Dahn Sahf' and 'Dine Sithe'.
Katherine de Gama
No, tow bar, shrewsury isn't cheaper than London. What the successfulindependents have is carefully selected unusual items and you can get around the town in no time.
Katherine de Gama
Tow bar, not much difference in price.the attraction is unusual goods and a town in which it's fast to comparison shop.
sowhat
A couple of things i would like to add;
Stop with the expensive car parking nonsence! in the scheme of things its not expensive.
Independant shops will not suffer, if you use them you will continue to use them no matter what is built! my opinion of them are that they are extremely overpriced and am not concerned if they survive or not.
Roll on the new shopping Mall.
MJ
Shrewsbury does indeed now have a fine shopping and eating out offer for any visitor. Those constantly moaning about car parking charges really need to get out and about around the country more, no more than £4 for all day parking at Frankwell or Abbey Foregate car parks is really not high compared to many towns and cities.
And as Sam correctly says, while there may be many vacancies in the shopping centres (possibly due to the coming expansion works which is putting businesses off those locations in the short term), go outside onto the streets and the picture is very positive with Butcher Row, Pride Hill, The Square, Wyle Cop, Mardol, High St, the market etc all thriving with very few empty units.
Probably the greatest factor holding our town back is the constant stream of negativity, pessimism and grumbling from certain quarters that seems to accompany any change or development whatever it is.
Katherine de Gama
I disagree with the comment that the independents are overpriced. The quality of the food in the delis and the market is very good. I would rather buy less than compromise on quality. The clothes shops have things you want to wear for years when chain stores
Karlos Marx
Vital role? The shopping centres we already have have so many empty units it's like walking through a shanty town. The number of independent shops are on the decline, I fear Shrewsbury will become another McTown of corporate chain stores.
JOHN JONES
Just read tonight's Shropshire Star.
Katherine de Gama
Marx, I see no evidence that the independents are in decline. Shanty town? Have you ever been to one or read Kapital?