Empty premises blighting a once thriving precinct
SWINTON
IN the Swinton shopping precinct in Greater Manchester, many units are empty and locals are lamenting the loss of small independent stores. Rebecca Butler, 33, said: “We used to have a fresh fruit and veg store and a butcher’s.
“I live across the road and it is much easier for me to pop out for things like bread and milk rather than going to the big supermarkets.”
Another resident Brian McNichol, 62, bemoaned the limited choice of shops: “I used to do all my shopping in the high street. But everything has gone. I think it’s because rates are too high.” Judith Taylor, 69, agreed: “There used to be so many different shops. Now it is either charity shops or cake shops.”
Iwona Tylamn, 45, also sad at the number of vacant shops, said: “It would be good to spend money to help local businesses.” But her daughter Emily Usosike, nine, added: “When you go into the shops people are very friendly.”
WEST BROM
IN West Bromwich in the West Midlands, an area in line for government help, Denise Hodges, 52, said: “I just think in this day and age it’s made easier to shop online than it is to go shopping.” The retiree, out shopping with pal Linda
Mitchell, 60, added: “I have a grandson and sometimes when I take him to the shops, I think ‘I could just buy that online’.”
Unemployed Casandra Bulisca, 23, said: “I like shopping here because everything is cheaper. I don’t think there are many things that need to change, just clean.”
Cameron Hall, 21, a customer assistant, said: “I prefer high street shops because I only live down the road. The bad thing is that there are a lot of gangs around here...lads who chill over here...probably intimidating for older people.” Getting to the shops is an issue for Dorothy
Rose, 61, a minister of religion, who said: “I don’t shop regularly in high street shops any more. For me it’s more about transport. I think there should be more independent shops.”