Rural towns point way for high street

RYEDALE: Five market towns defying the recession in the rural Yorkshire district could point the way to protecting the traditional British high street, amid an official inquiry into Britain’s ailing retail scene.

MARKET TOWNS defying the recession in rural Yorkshire could point the way to protecting the traditional British high street, district leaders have said.

Earlier this month, a crossparty committee was set up by Government to investigate ways of reviving England’s ailing town centres, under pressure from the growth in online shopping. Now, district leaders in Ryedale say an initiative underway across its five thriving market towns could show the way forward for communities across the country.

The Five Town’s Project, promoting the unique aspects of Helmsley, Malton, Pickering, Norton and Kirkbymoorside, has seen the centres thriving over recent years.

“These are times of great change in the high streets on many towns due to changing in shopping habits,” said Julian Rudd, pioneer of the initiative which has brought together business and town council leaders in regular meetings.

“But our shops in Ryedale are showing the way forward because we have very many individual shops set in some of the loveliest market towns in Yorkshire, giving shoppers a splendid experience in an enjoyable environment.

“We are working hard to keep up with the public’s aspirations and what they want to see in our towns and it is paying dividends.”

The government inquiry, led by chairman Clive Betts MP, will look at the role high streets play in economies and communities.

“Our high streets and town centres have an important social, civic and cultural place in our society,” he said at its launch. “High streets and town centres retain an important place in our society but what do we want them to look like in 2030 and what actions do we need from local and central government to ensure their longevity?”

Now, district leaders say, much could be learned from the model which is playing out in Ryedale. There are few empty shops as a result of the council campaign, buoyant industries, and a growing reputation for Malton as the food capital of Yorkshire.

“Ryedale is certainly showing the way to go when it comes to revitalising our shopping streets,” said Pickering hotelier William Oxley. “Our towns are punching above their weight to make local businesses a success.”

Promoting and supporting local businesses is having a big impact, he added.

“We have few high street names, but we have a great wealth of individual shops run by local people and that is proving to be their strength,” he said. “The big stores can be found anywhere but it’s the appeal of the small ones which scores in Ryedale.”

In Pickering empty shops are said to be a rarity and it has be- come a key tourist area thanks to the popularity of the North Yorkshire Moors Railway, while Norton is seeing its shopping offer boosted as a result of new local housing developments.

Coun Luke Ives, representing Norton West on Ryedale District Council, said: “The buoyancy of our five towns is one of the real success stories in Ryedale, with Malton’s growing reputation as the Food Capital of Yorkshire, and its big success in the Talbot Yard complex has brought many people to the town as a result of being recognised online.

“I’m sure our towns could point the way for many others nationwide, thanks to the vision and hard work of so many local businesses.”

The buoyancy of our five towns is one of the real success stories

Coun Luke Ives hails the success of the Five Towns Project.