Ghost town fears over shop losses
CALL FOR ACTION TO REVITALISE HIGH STREET
SHOPPERS are calling for their town’s hig street to be overhauled in a bid to attract locals and visitors following the news another store was up for sale.
A flood of comments painted a bleak picture of Long Eaton’s High Street, where clothes shop New Look appears to be the latest casualty.
Erewash Borough Council said it is fighting back by bidding for up to £25m regeneration cash from the Government.
Resident Maggie Gallimore said: “There are loads of empty premises now that are begging to be used by local small businesses, and some of the buildings are very attractiv e, if renovated sympathetically. Our local council needs to wake up to the potential it has under its nose, and do something to attract small local businesses back into the town.”
Dawn Corner said she doesn’t want to have to go to Nottingham or Derby, adding: “I want to shop in my own town. The market needs to be put back where it should be, not in the high street. Sort the high street out - allow cafes and bars to have tables out and reduce the business rates so that the shops can be full.”
Nikki Fretwell said it saddened her Long Eaton was losing its high street. “More effort and support must be offered to support small businesses in our town before it dies completely,” she said.
M any residents said something is needed to draw shoppers to the town, with one major retailer proving a popular choice. Rita Hudson was one of several saying: “I would love a Primark. It would certainly bring people into Long Eaton.”
Councillor Dan Pitt, Erewash Borough Council’s lead member for town centres, said ambitious plans have been laid out to rejuvenate not just High Street, but other parts of the town, by the multi-agency Long Eaton Town Deal Board in a bid for up to £25m government cash.
The vision admits: “Long Eaton used to be seen as a place to go, if you didn’t want to go to Derby or Nottingham. Used to be an attraction during the day and in the evening. That has changed. Town Centre has lost some vitality. It’s not failing/ failed, but is not as vibrant.”
Suggestions include pavement cafes, revitalising the market, more trees and green space, public art and more independent shops.
Councillor Pitt said: “Long Eaton has the chance for once-in-a-generation funding from Government of up to £25 million. We have been working hard on an ambitious and exciting plan for Long Eaton High Street to make it more pedestrianfriendly, greener and more beautiful, making it a place where people wish to meet, socialise and spend their hard-earned money.
“This will create a virtuous circle attracting more private sector businesses to our High Street and in turn more customers.”
Councillor Alan Griffiths, Long Eaton councillor on Derbyshire County Council, added: “I don’t want to see Long Eaton reduced to nothing but a commuter town.
“It is a very worrying time. Once your main shopping street disappears, you become a ghost town. Long Eaton has a lot going for it but not on the retail side.”