What’s next for the high street?
BUSINESS LEADERS GIVE THEIR VIEWS ON THE FUTURE OF RETAIL IN BURTON TOWN CENTRE AFTER THREE MORE BIG-NAME TRADERS HAVE SHUT UP SHOP
BURTON’S business bosses are looking for a way forward as the town centre reels from the loss of three major shops.
Topshop, Dorothy Perkins and Burton are far from the only three retailers to shut their Burton branches in the last 12 months.
Others that have gone include Monsoon Accessorize, Carphone Warehouse, DW Sports, Menkind and The Model Shop. Hays Travel also recently announced it was closing.
The companies’ decisions have put dozens of jobs at risk – on top of the 80 under threat at tyre giant Pirelli – as the Covid crisis and rise of internet shopping continue to take their toll on the retail sector.
But business bosses have spoken out to give their views on how the town centre can move forward after a series of devastating blows to its economy.
Many believe the town needs more to attract shoppers than just shops, giving them more reasons to visit the town in terms of food, culture and leisure. The regeneration of the former Bargates site could be key to achieving that, if done right.
And Burton MP Kate Griffiths says plans are in the pipeline to regenerate the town centre with a bid for a major cash boost via the Government’s Towns Fund. She said: “It is very sad to see that these three brands will no longer be a part of our British high streets and that their stores in Burton will close as a result. Coronavirus is causing enormous turbulence for our businesses and the economy but Government is doing everything it can to support retail though this difficult period.
“I am in contact with many businesses, working with them to seek support, as well as working with constituents looking for new employment.
“As a member of Burton’s Town Deal Board, I am working hard to secure the backing of ministers for our Towns Fund bid. If successful, our town will have the finance it needs to regenerate our town centre and make it a unique place for both residents and visitors to enjoy with both shopping and leisure experiences.
“Whilst coronavirus is currently making things tough for the retail sector, it is important that we look to the future and I will continue to work hard to deliver the changes we need to sustain our town centre for future generations to come. “
Burton and District Chamber of Commerce president and boss of Hardy Signs Nik Hardy said: “Over the last year we have seen a number of casualties in terms of large retailers in our town and the situation continues to be precarious to say the least.
“As chamber president I am regularly in conversation with business owners and employers who are particularly concerned about the footfall
in the town centre.
“Naturally, the pandemic has been the major contributing factor which has exacerbated the issue of buying online vs high street retail.
“I believe the key to combating the decline lies in a rethink around the use of the buildings and spaces in the town.
“It’s possible that a shift in focus towards more communal and socially engaging facilities should encourage more people to visit the town centre.
“Thriving towns and city centres boast a wealth of options in terms of leisure and entertainment, for example; which translates into increased numbers of visitors and, in turn, more shoppers through the doors of our retailers.
“It’s also been demonstrated that this focus attracts even more visitors from further afield, which can lead to a boost in the economy.
“The Burton and District Chamber of Commerce is keen to support retail employees who may face uncertainty or who have lost their jobs at this time.
“I would encourage them to contact Chris Plant, divisional director of the chamber, who will be able to signpost them for advice on retraining
and perhaps starting their own business. Chris can be contacted at c.plant@chase-chamber.com” Peter Hardingham is the former Octagon shopping centre boss and joint owner of Start and Tremayne, which has stores in Burton, Mercia Marina and Barton Marina.
He said: “The Dorothy Perkins unit in the Octagon is clear evidence of a lack of investment and before it closed, the same could be said of the BHS in Derby. “Under-investment and a complacent attitude from the very top is, in my view, what has caused this business failure (at Arcadia, which owned the brands whose shops have closed in Burton).
“All such failures are of course a disaster for those directly employed in these stores and is not good new for those town centres affected by such closures and Burton has several of the Arcadia facias, as you know, that are now to close. “But this is not the end of the world. Some media reports would suggest that this is the end of the high street, but it is not even the beginning of the end.
“Retail is still an enormously important part of the local and national economy and we in Burton
and elsewhere locally have a reasonable offer on our doorsteps.
“When non-essential retail can reopen, and hopefully this will be some time in March, I would urge the shoppers of East Staffordshire and South Derbyshire to re-engage, as many did after the first and second lockdowns, with their local stores and particularly the independents such as ours, as every little thing really does help.
“This support will help ensure that there continues to be a viable and vibrant local retail offer on our High Streets long after the current crisis has been overcome.
“Not everyone either wants or can shop online and when we can all get out once again, I am sure a little bit of retail therapy will be just what is needed by many and you cannot get that therapy by clicking a mouse.”
Coopers Square shopping centre boss Dave Chadfield said: “We are always looking at alternative and innovative ways to utilise centre space in these changing times.
“I think with the regeneration of High Street and the town’s application for a share of the Governments Stronger Towns fund, Burton on Trent is in a strong position for a positive future.
“No one knows what’s round the corner.
“But we see a bright and positive future for Burton, with new opportunities opening up for both local and national companies in the changing face of town centres.”
Under-investment and a complacent attitude from the very top is, in my view, what caused this business failure. Peter Hardingham