Quote:
Originally Posted by Margaret Pilkington
The flower stall has gone and there are empty stalls(at least three) on the right hand side of the market hall from the Bottom entrance.....the bit that is supposed to house the museum is closed every time I go in there......and there are vast empty spaces.
It might have been slightly busier over Christmas, but then you would hope for that....seeing as it is a time when people are out and about buying gifts and food.
Ken, if you don't think the market and the market hall are taking their last gasps, you are deluded.
I visit the town every weekday, and it isn't worth a candle......moving the bus station will snuff out the dim light that the town centre is right now.
I am not talking the town down, I am just giving you a realistic view of how it is.....and I am not the only one that is saying this.
Denial isn't just a river in Egypt !
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Again, I do take your points Marg and my replies haven't been aimed at you but, if I may be so personal, if the town isn't up to much why do you bother visiting every day?
I do blame the decline of town centres largely on supermarkets because they have become a one stop shop for pretty much everything you need. Very convenient but not good for the small retailer and not that brilliant for the consumer either I've found.
Due to working ridiculous hours for years on end, I have found that my new weekly shopping trips that I have been ordered to go on with my partner are actually a pretty therapeutic remedy. Simply browsing the shops or picking up bits and pieces off the market is much more pleasant than diving in and out of Asda for everything. A coffee or breakfast somewhere is a nice treat too and I have been amazed at how cheap stuff is (green grocery, cheese and cakes, for example). I have needed several repairs over the past 12 months and she has also told me of places which have sorted out everything I have needed.
I would never have known about half the stuff in Accy if it weren't for word of mouth simply because I don't have time to wander round and find out for myself. I would urge everyone who has found something good to spread the word and encourage more people to use our town centre, encourage businesses, encourage investment from companies that we want in addition to what we have.
I'm not burying my head in the sand, I'm just trying to adopt a more positive approach.