Up the street
community.
“We have been happy to co-exist alongside other cafés for a long time.
“However, for North Lanarkshire Council to consider yet another café is absolutely ridiculous and could be the death knell for smaller businesses like ours.
“Yes, we need to fill vacant premises on the Main Street to make it more attractive to shoppers.
“I could make a list as long as my arm about what kind of retail outlets we need, but a Costa Coffee is not one of them.
“The council should be encouraging small enterprises, not expecting them to compete with huge national businesses like Costa Coffee.”
One clothing shop owner, who asked not to be named, said: “We rely heavily on sales through Facebook as a way of bringing people in.
“The amount of people walking down the street and coming in is very low.
“I think any business coming in is a positive and hopefully can provide more passing trade.
“We have to try and keep our prices as low as possible to make sure people buy from here and I think a lot of local businesses are the same.”
Wishaw woman Joanne Brown believes the Main Street isn’t what it used to be.
She said: “Compared to years ago it’s lost a lot of what made it special.
“It used to be buzzing but I think because the shops on offer aren’t as good as they used to be, everyone just goes to shopping centres elsewhere.
“I think I’ve used the street more in the last year and it doesn’t seem as bad as a couple of years ago but it could still do with some work.”
Mary Goodwin believes any additions to the Main Street can make the town better.
She said: “If they were to put in a Costa Coffee where the Spar was I think it would be a good thing.
“The less empty spaces the better but I can see how some cafes would be concerned about it.”
Wishaw shopper Pauline Regan added: “We badly need new things to open up because it’s getting worse.
“Another problem people have is parking nearby which can put people off going up the Main Street. Years ago you had just about every type of shop but that’s no longer the case.”
I’ve used the street more in the last year and it doesn’t seem so bad as a couple of years ago