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Save our shops call as downturn bites
Reporter: Dawn Marsden
Date online: 11 February 2010
OLDHAM TOWN CENTRE PARTNERSHIP
URGENT action is needed to save local traders from going under as the credit crunch and adverse weather conditions take their toll.
Nicola Whitehead, owner of clothing boutique Demolition in Yorkshire Street, told members of the Oldham Town Centre Partnership that she is suffering her lowest ever turnover since the store opened in 1995.
She said: “It has never been so bad. I am barely covering my costs and it is getting very difficult to keep things going.
“Independent traders are dwindling away and I might find myself in that position if things continue this way.
“Something needs to be done very quickly. Passing trade is no longer there, Oldham has become like a ghost town.”
Councillor Dave Hibbert said: “It is crucial that smaller businesses are supported as they are the backbone of the town centre so it is essential that they survive.
“Rather than telling them what measures will be put into place, we should consult with them to find out what they think should be done to boost their profits.
“We don’t want to see empty shops as they make the town look run down and create a bad atmosphere, so let’s deal with the effects rather than the cause.
“We need short-term, immediate help rather than long-term plans that could take too long to take effect.”
On a more positive note, the Spindles Town Square Shopping Centre reported its lowest vacancy rate in five years with only 5 per cent of units standing empty.
Town Centre manager Mark Lester said: “Some traders are doing okay, others are not doing so well but this is not just about the credit crunch.
“The weather stopped many shopping so businesses missed out on their usual festive boost in profits which makes January and February seem even more tough.
“There are limits to what we can do but we are looking at various business support packages.
“Solving the problem is not as easy as simply reducing business rates as there is a long list of criteria to doing this. It is not a flexible, reactive beast.”
Comments
5% empty in Spindles? How is that figure arrived at, there are plenty of empty units in Spindles and Town Square. 'It is not a flexible reactive beast' Nail on the head there I think. Inflexible, archaic, obstructive and downright damaging spring to mind!!
They may be closed in the daytime, but hey they bring in business rates so it must be OK. Thanks to Kilburn and his cronies this is what we have, and Sykes and Parker are doing nothing at all to change it.
I live in Oldham and haven't shopped there for years. It has nothing to offer. Towns such as Bolton and Bury put us to shame with their vibrant markets offering fresh produce and soon a tram whisk us to Manchester for the very best of other retail shops. Wake up Oldham!!
Nothing would persuade me to shop in Oldham. It's Cheadle Royal, Halifax or Huddersfield for me. At least one feels safe there, and there are some decent shops.
also the fact that oldham council put off reducing the parking tarrifs till the last minute when most shops had left or closed down didnt help.
thats why oldham is dead. there is nothing left there to go and look round. unless its under a pound bargains.
I am born and bred in Oldham and still live in the town but it is 8 years since i bought anything from the town centre due to the over zealous parking attendents and over inflated prices.Get yourselves to Bury where there is a proper market and fair priced parking.Oldham council will not be happy until the town has had the last rites and they wont have long to wait Im afraid.
Sadly timberwolf is correct,
Sshhh Dave. Think before you comment on anything. The town centre, market and decimated shops and units, are all part of your Labour legacy. Sshhh!
Have to agree that the town centre is an eyesore and lacking in quality shops. Businesses have suffered over the years and the take-aways have brought Yorkshire Street nothing but criticism. Even the approach to Oldham is nothing to be proud about. It's left many commenting - "Have you been to Oldham lately? Did you wipe your feet on the way out?"
I will always have an affinity to Oldham but those who 'run the town' need to do something to ensure others remain proud of their town.
Sadly most of the folk who 'run the town' enjoy living in Saddleworth.
Ashton has a central busy market, lots of independant traders alongside large brand shops, reasonable parking.
Very difficult to gain back what Oldham had 20 years ago.
Oldham needs to be very innovative to reverse its situation.
'..we should consult with them' Do us a favour Hibbert, stop electioneering. Over the last umpteen years, this lot and your lot have consulted with virtually everybody in the town on one thing or another. Has anything come of these 'consultations'? Have any of you clueless buggers EVER taken a blind bit of notice of anything we say or want? I'll give you a clue. The answer's not yes. This is your doing! Your legacy. We don't need any more of it. Scram! Read more at bbwulfe.blogspot.com
We should deal with the cause of empty shops, not just the effect.
That means lower rents and business rates to allow start up local businesses a chance in these hard times.
When business rates and rents are so high it's no wonder no one is willing to take a chance in these depressed times.
Shops are down, Jobs are down, money is down, tax is up, parking charges are up, rents are up....
Is there some link there somewhere.....
adverse weather conditions might have hurt for a week or so not the last eight-ten years,wake up the place is a dump,full of crap shops the last time I went there I felt so depressed,what an awful place, what the hell happened to the town everyone used to come to from far a field,why has it declined so much even the locals dont go in any more.
Have Your Say
Is this a surprise to anyone? Oldham council allowed the take away's to dominate Yorkshire street much to the disgust of many Oldhamers. During the day its shutter city and is a real eyesore. My advice, take your shop to another town and leave Yorkshire street to the donner kebabs.
By timberwolf @ 11/02/2010 13:26:43