‘Reinvention is what we need’
BUSINESS GROUP SAYS TOWN CAN SURVIVE THE SHOP DECLINE
BUSINESSES in Wallsend have vowed to help improve the town centre and insist it’s “not a lost cause”.
Last week we reported what people on Wallsend High Street felt about the town and highlighted a number of issues, including the effect of online shopping on retailers and the number of empty units in the area.
It was also said there were too many takeaways in and around the town centre.
Now Wallsend Chamber, which was set up as a voice for the business community in June and has more than 140 members, has set out the efforts being made to support the town.
It says the centre is having difficulties similar to those of other high streets across the country, but is still in a better position than many.
The area has a 12% vacancy rate, which means almost 90% of the high street is occupied.
Treasurer Julie Paterson said: “The high street is not doing brilliantly. But it is important to say that we are no different from any other high street in the country. We are in fact doing quite well compared with some.”
On the issue of the high number of takeaways, she said: “Yes there are a lot of takeaways, cafes, and places where you can get something to eat. But if we didn’t have these takeaways, there might not be anybody coming to Wallsend. It would be even worse.
“A lot of income is coming into Wallsend off the back of these businesses. Most of the takeaways have been here for years.”
She added: “The world of retail is struggling. The high street is not what it used to be – a number of major retailers have been having difficulties and big household names are not investing in town centres as online shopping grows.
“But town centres have to reinvent themselves and create a reason for people to come.
“We have to look at whether vacant units can be used for other things and can have an alternative use, rather than staying empty.
“We are never going to be 100% occupied – no high street in the UK is. It is all about finding a new purpose for the high street.”
The chamber is working with a number of organisations to help increase footfall in the town. One plan involves handing out maps showing the facilities the area has to offer to visitors to the nearby Segedunum Roman Fort. The maps will include the Wallsend Parks, which are accessible via the town centre.
The group has also forged links with TyneMet College and Newcastle College’s Energy Academy in Wallsend, and is working with the police on pub-watch and shopwatch schemes and with North Tyneside Council on its plans to support retail centres.
The council has a town centre task group, and the authority’s Ambition for North Tyneside regeneration strategy outlines ways to improve transport to and from town centres, redevelop unused buildings and create more jobs.
“Our main objective is to improve employment and employability,” said Kevin Stephenson of the Chamber.
“We want Wallsend to be a great place to do business, whether that’s retail or office based. The town still has a future – it just needs to reinvent itself.”