In 2007 there were 18 Hairdressers and 8 Beauty type salons (26 in total) and 2 footwear shops, 18 public houses, 33 eateries (51total). In January 2015 there were 39 Hair & Beauty outlets and 65 food and drink establishments and no shoe shops. Since January there has been an increase in the number of openings in these sectors. Many of these new openings have been at the expense of clothing retailers.
All this hasn't happened overnight. It is a slow process, an evolution. I'm not saying it is a bad thing - but the internet has played a part along with rent rises, rates, parking charges and loss of footfall. All these are of greater or lesser significance depending on what time of year you ask the question. Some retailers would get out now if they could; I know of a few who won't be around much longer and people will be wringing their hands in despair when they do go.
If you work elsewhere and come back to Hertford it is still one of the most pleasant places in the UK to live. If you have to live and work in the centre it is a slightly different story - it is matter of perspective and I do not wish to be patronising or disrespectful but if you'd been in my shoes for the last 15 years you'd know what I mean and that is why I need a new pair - desperately.
Statistics:Posted by SloopJohnB — Sun 02 Aug, 2015 12:20 pm
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Implementation of that strategy everywhere means we would not have Hatton Garden or Saville Row etc. There is evidence that suggests that if you have a successful takeaway, someone else will open near you and also be successful. Think of China Town...
There are 20 antique shops in Tetbury so I suspect they don't have a restriction on trades.
I understand what you are saying but these hubs are part of a much larger conurbation called London. I spent two pleasant years of my Banking career in Clerkenwell which in the 1980's was the centre of goldsmiths, silversmiths, jewellers and clockmakers. Also a pub called the Crown I think (memory slip) nicknamed the Clock House because it was chock full of clocks and run by Basil and wife (not Sybil I forget) and a sexy barmaid called Shandy - real name! As you can guess there was also a good sprinkling of pubs, cafes and sandwich bars.There are 20 antique shops in Tetbury so I suspect they don't have a restriction on trades.
When I first moved to Hertford at about that time it was also the centre of the antiques trade.Now few survive. During the mid 2000's I was stopped by people in the street and who also wrote to the Mercury complaining that Hertford was full of estate agents and charity shops. It wasn't. I had the database to prove it. The town was full of independent shops and an excellent hook on which to hang a marketing campaign.
Then it was good to stroll around town and have a cup of coffee or half of AK. These days it has been turned on its head and you can eat, drink and be merry but can't shop. When traders who have been here for some time say that there is nothing in Hertford to come here for you have to listen. I am advocating a balance that is all; maybe a lot to ask. I used to sit outside Serendipity and watch one half of other couples pop into Methvens for a book or Going Places and come out with a holiday brochure. Everything can thrive in this way but where do I go to get a pair of shoes.
Statistics:Posted by SloopJohnB — Thu 18 Jun, 2015 10:46 am
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Many years ago Cllr Radford and myself argued for a local plan whereby certain trades could be restricted to a percentage of the whole. I have asked EHDC since 2005 'is there a local plan for Hertford? The reply - X is working on it (name withheld to protect me and admin). Ten years on and we are still nowhere near. But hey! what about the vision and strategy currently being developed you ask. .
But the very opposite of that strategy works very well elsewhere.Implementation of that strategy everywhere means we would not have Hatton Garden or Saville Row etc. There is evidence that suggests that if you have a successful takeaway, someone else will open near you and also be successful. Think of China Town...
There are 20 antique shops in Tetbury so I suspect they don't have a restriction on trades.
I am not saying I like all the coffee shops/hairdressers etc but I would prefer shops with something rather than empty.
Statistics:Posted by Kateg28 — Thu 18 Jun, 2015 8:39 am
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And on a related note, I've not seen a planning application for change of use.
Didn't stop Starbucks did it?I do see your point - there's a lot of Italian coffee on offer.
Statistics:Posted by Darcy Sarto — Wed 17 Jun, 2015 11:56 pm
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And on a related note, I've not seen a planning application for change of use.
Statistics:Posted by Steve — Wed 17 Jun, 2015 11:15 pm
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I am not a retailer so remain undecided as to whether the conversion of town centres into food courts (where you can also get your hair and nails done) is a bad thing or not. I'm afraid Mrs S, like so many, does do "shopping" whereas I do "buying" which are two very different (and often mutually exclusive) things.
Statistics:Posted by Darcy Sarto — Wed 17 Jun, 2015 10:54 pm
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In a rash moment I went to a Community Matters meeting and asked 'if all things were equal and I wanted to open another licensed bar could I?' Of course you could was the reply. And why not? Can you really see any change in this policy considering that there is no opposition at any level of local government and no one arguing for an alternative way of running our towns.
As I have said somewhere else; not here I think. Where in Hertford can you buy a pair of shoes, ladies knickers or a baby potty - an eclectic collection for an elderly gentleman like me. And don't say Wrenbridge because they are not going to fall over themselves to attract a shoe shop even if the bulldozers eventually do cruise through Bircherley Green.
Statistics:Posted by SloopJohnB — Wed 17 Jun, 2015 9:07 pm
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I ask this after speaking to the chap setting up a new Italian deli and cafe in the former Ortons Audio Visual shop in Old Cross.
Statistics:Posted by Steve — Wed 17 Jun, 2015 6:36 pm
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