Is there a future for small shops in Bromyard? Local businessman Derek Campbell says the deck is stacked against them.
But another local man says shopping in the town is “alive and well” and thinks Bromyard has “exactly the number and type of shops it needs and deserves.”
Speaking to community-website www.bromyard. info, Mr Campbell said: “It’s pleasing to see that the laundrette has just re-opened, it seems to buck the trend of shops closing in the town.
“We are in an economic slowdown and a credit crunch and food and fuel prices are rising.”
“The big players have taken a bigger slice of the retail cake, leaving the smaller independent retailers fighting over the scraps,” he says.
“The supermarkets alone offer a huge range of food and non-food, with reliable quality, competitive prices and convenience, with on-site free parking and long opening hours.
“Other retailers such as DIY stores are expanding their range to include white goods.
“The internet means we can all sit at home and buy on-line. It seems the deck is stacked against independent retailers.
“In Bromyard, parking is somewhere between inconvenient and impossible.
“But also there is now a lack of choice for shoppers.
“Consumers cannot buy a long list of things in Bromyard: white goods, sports equipment, men’s clothing and shoes, to name just a few.
“This means shoppers have to go elsewhere for these items and it is likely that they will buy other items when they are out of town.
“One school of thought says empty shops are unattractive and put off visitors.
“It would be better for the owners and the wider community if permission were given to convert these to residential occupation.
“At least there would be an economic contribution in community charge.
“Another view is that incentives such as reduced rates or rent support would help new traders to establish businesses.
“There is the longer-term issue of businesses chasing incentives rather than customers, which makes for a shaky business model and still doesn’t provide a long-term retail base.
But “ordinary shopping” is alive and well in the town, according to Bromyard resident Graham Perkins.
“Although Derek Campbell makes some good points,” he says, “it may be that Bromyard has exactly the number and type of shops it needs and deserves.
“It is well provided with good butchers, hardware shops, greengrocers, a bakers, newsagents, pubs and restaurants, plus travel agents, insurance brokers, banks, a building society, a card shop, carpet fitters, a book shop, etc.
“The local supermarket attracts much local criticism,” he says, “but it does provide most of the basics not available elsewhere in Bromyard, and it often has good offers.
“So ‘ordinary shopping’ is alive and well in Bromyard and somehow customers cope with the parking situation.
“Often the local shops offer excellent value, matching prices in big-city stores.
“Many enterprises need the population and spending power only to be found in large towns.
“Why not form a festivals committee or steering group with members drawn from the town council, the chamber of commerce and other interested parties?
“It could have the remit of maximising the benefit to the community from the festivals, publicising and providing support and expertise where required to festival organisers.
“Building on what we have might be the best way forward.
“As for vacant shops, we should turn at least some of them into residential accommodation which does, as Mr Campbell says, bring some extra money into the town.
“The rest might become charity shops.”
