Quote:
|
Originally Posted by Neil
Do you not think all town centres are on the decline? If you want electrical retailers you go to a big comet or currys. That is the same if you live in Accrington, Blackburn or Burnley. People use ASDA or Tesco for shopping instead of the market now. Many of us use ASDA or Tesco online so we can sit on out fat backsides and shop. Retail is moving out of towns and into retail parks. I don't think there is a way to reverse this.
|
Town centres have changed because of people's new shopping habits to an extent. Some towns and cities, with cleverer councils have survived, having provide a more exciting shopping experience than Accrington.
Independent shops have sadly decided to leave Accrington or close down altogether, the much loved bookshop Wardleworths being one. Towns like Clitheroe and Skipton, can still provide what we once had. The market is a shambles and I fel very sorry for the stall holders.
The council's answer to build more retail units, when we have so many empty ones, which can at best be used only by charity shops, was stupid in the extreme. The pipe dream that large multiples would be attracted to the town because of the availability of retail space, when there is already so much available, was just very poor planning. We should have concentrated on what we had, ie: a thriving and fairly unique market, full of character, not the silly vision to become like every other town centre the length and breadth of Britain.
On a more positive note I'd just like to say how hard the small independent retailers on Warner Street are trying to improve that part of town. Some of the window displays are very inventive, and I applaud their initiative and effort.