Phil Gillam: Keeping a close watch on Shrewsbury's shopping jewels

But no – they’re just a handful of Shrewsbury’s many wonderful independent shops, the kind of places that make our town centre so different to others.

Snooty Fox is a bespoke jewellers, Appleyards a long-established delicatessen, Bottega an award-winning boutique, and Left For Dead a fabulous independent record shop.

It just so happens that all four are on Wyle Cop, but of course the whole town centre is bejewelled with similarly enticing shops.

There’s the Chocolate Gourmet – which kinda does what it says on the tin (or box) of chocolates.

There’s the charming Period House Shop. And we haven’t even got off Wyle Cop yet!

There’s the Bread and Loaf artisan bakery and then there’s Button and Bear children’s bookshop offering children and their families not only a wide range of books but also special events, cakes and drinks. These two can be found on Castle Gates and Castle Street respectively.

Now, I obviously can’t mention every one of Shrewsbury’s independent shops here – firstly because there isn’t space and secondly because I’d be bound to leave someone out and then I’d be in trouble!

But from Acoustic Boutique’s audio and visual solutions to Halon Menswear (founded way back in 1905) – both on High Street – to Callaghan Fine Paintings opposite St Mary’s Church, and to a myriad of other lovely shops all across town (check out our incredibly vibrant indoor market, check out the delightful Parade with its 30 shops), Shrewsbury clearly has so much to offer.

It is this incredible mix of smaller (might I say - quirkier?) shops that helps give Shrewsbury its special character. Yes, of course, we need the high street chains as well, but it would be a dull old world if the homogeneous nature of so many town centres was impossible to escape the length and breadth of the country.

Anyway. With all this retail action going on here in Shrewsbury, it’s good to know that there are people out there making it their business to ensure our county town is a safe place in which to trade, live and visit.

Ladies and gentlemen, may I introduce Shrewsbury Shopwatch.

This is a group representing businesses and working with police to combat shoplifting and other concerns. Together with Pubwatch it forms the Shrewsbury Watch partnership.

The Shrewsbury Shopwatch has just appointed a new chair and has also introduced a digital information sharing service to promote a well-connected and safe trading in the town centre.

The DISC App (Database and Intranet for Safer Communities), which was piloted by Pubwatch, is now available to Shopwatch so members can share business crime information with other businesses and with West Mercia Police securely online. The information can be efficiently organised and managed. By the way, it is not intended to replace police reporting systems, but rather provide an extra tool with which to tackle crime.

Kevin Lockwood, Centre Manager of Shrewsbury Shopping Centres, will lead the business crime partnership which is run by members and administered by Shrewsbury Business Improvement District (BID).

Kevin said: “It’s a privilege to chair Shopwatch. It is an asset to the town and shows the value of working together and looking out for each other. I would encourage more members to join and become actively involved.”

Police Sergeant Simon Morris said: “We value the support of Shopwatch as policing is strengthened and more effective when we work in partnership with the community.”

I would just add: Anything that contributes to the richness and diversity and the safety and security of Shrewsbury’s shopping experience has to be a good thing.

And long may Shrewsbury remain a place that nurtures the gorgeous aroma of freshly baked artisan bread, as well as the temptations of chocolates, bespoke jewellery and so much else.

Note: Shopwatch is free for Shrewsbury BID members; others can join by becoming a voluntary BID member or signing up for a Shopwatch membership. For details visit shrewsburybid.co.uk