CCTV and parking top list of priorities

SHEPSHED businesses have told councillors they want installation of CCTV, improved parking facilities and increased market stalls to be prioritised improvements for the town centre.

A report presented to Shepshed Town Team summarised the responses from the Business Survey August 2017 which asked representatives from shops and establishments what they would like to see in the town and what the believe could make Shepshed more attractive and successful.

The report states that approximately 72 businesses were included in the survey and of those, 20 responses were received (28 per cent).

Out of 10 options, the businesses deemed parking, CCTV and more stalls for the Friday street market to be the top priorities.

‘Promoting the town centre among Shepshed residents’ was also ranked high, as was ‘improving pedestrian areas with wider pavements, upgraded surfaces and designated crossing spaces’.

The lowest ranked ideas from the businesses’ perceptive were ‘introducing art and permanent features of interest into the street scene’ and helping businesses to reduce costs through joint purchasing, sharing services and related initiatives’.

Commenting on what measures could make the town more attractive and successful, one business representative said: “Community bank, local shop voucher scheme, business early warning scheme/alert, traffic wardens enforcing parking on double yellow lines, double yellow lines [needed] on Kirkhill.”

Another said: “There are no substantial businesses in the town centre unlike Asda on Charnwood Road that take trade from the centre of town.

“We need large units to attract new business and that’s not going to happen, so nothing changes.”

Disabled parking, more events, and “new independent shops of varying nature to open to make Shepshed more interesting to newcomers and surrounding villages” were also suggested.