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Oswaldtwistle Shops
This is going to be a really long starting post
I’ve just taken a walk the length of Union Road in Oswaldtwistle and done an audit of all of the shops that we have there. I have to say I’ve been pleasantly surprised in the variety but there are a number of obvious gaps in the market but I’ll get on to that later. Firstly, here is a list of shops that we currently have. I’ve divided them up into three categories for clarity. Category 1 - shops that we probably have plenty of. There are two different types of criteria for this category – either we’re over saturated with them i.e. off licences, or they’re specialist shops that would struggle with competition i.e. the wool shop. So, this is not a reflection on the quality of any of the shops in this category. 8 Alcohol shops (that includes off licences and general stores like the Co-op) 7 Beauty salons (including tanning shops) 8 Hairdressers and 2 barbers 7 Sandwich shops (includes 2 that are also cafes) 3 Chinese takeaways (including Bamboo Gardens) 5 Pizza/kebab takeaways (including Franco’s) 2 Indian takeaways (including Reena’s) 3 Insurance shops 2 Pet grooming shops 2 Card and wrapping paper 2 Chemists 2 Florists 3 Chippies 5 Newsagents (includes general stores that also sell newspapers) 2 Butchers 3 Second hand (junk) shops 2 Launderettes 1 Fitness equipment shop 1 Fitness Gym 1 Sweet shop 1 Model aircraft 2 Kitchen appliance shops 1 Equestrian clobber centre 1 Loss Assessor 1 Tool Hire 1 Wool Shop 1 Vets 8 Pubs Category 2. Larger stores – self explanatory. Ossy Mills 1 large pet store 1 largish Co-op Category 3. Shops that could possibly stand a bit of competition. If Oswaldtwistle were a thriving town (I actually do think it’s on the up but not there yet), there would be more variety in this category. So you might think it odd that I’ve put the Ladies clothes shops in this category even though we do have five nice ones (there are a couple of very nice ones that have just sprung up) but I think it would be wonderful to be such a thriving town that we could sustain even more choice in this area. There are also a couple of shops in this category that could do with the competition to make them pull their socks up i.e. they’re very run down or untidy. 1 Homecare 1 Furniture (second hand but high quality) 1 Glass/window 1 Book store (second hand but specialises in antique and rare books) 1 Car parts 1 Charity shop 2 Children’s clothes 1 Post Office 1 Mobile & Computer shop 1 Bank 1 Bookies 1 Estate Agents 1 Decorating shop 1 Funeral 1 Curtain Factory rejects 1 Carpet shop (off cuts only) 4 Ladies clothes shops (high quality) + 1 High Quality Dress Agency Plus – 1 GUN SHOP – I haven’t put this in any category because if it was up to me it wouldn’t exist at all. There are six empty shops. So, what else do we need – I offer these as suggestions for discussion, I’m sure there are many other ideas out there. Men’s clothes shops Shoe shops – Adult and children Video hire More Ladies clothes shops Book shop (new books) Electricals – i.e. TV, videos etc Gift shops Pottery/plates/cups etc Named stores – Next, Claire’s Accessories, Boots – I add this with a reservation, would we be appealing enough to attract a chain store? What else have I missed???????? The other comments that I have are that we have few physical gaps in the street which restrict flow. We have Ossy Mills at one end but quite a gap before the shops start, then there’s another gap between the Tinker & Budget and the Golden Cross. Somehow we need to find ways to fill those physical gaps in the shopping street. |
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What else? Doctors surgeries they are another form of business that must be bringing in some form of revenue. Drug dealers, prostitutes, beggars all of which although not having to pay business rates operate at times in full public view! This isn't as much fun without smilies:thumbsdow |
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Yes, TV repair shop tucked at one end though never actually see anyone in it.
There are two medical centres and a dentist - suppose you're right, they perform a service so I suppose you could call them businesses. I hesitated about putting them on my list as I don't think they're essentials on a main road - they'd be just as successful slightly off set. They're not what I would call a retail business which is what I was looking at. As for the other suggestions - they tend to stay off the main road but I'm sure we have our fair share already. |
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Two of the sandwiches shops you counted are also bakeries, and have been there for over 110 years between them. Trade is mainly lunchtime takeaways, as most people buy bread at the supermarkets nowadays.
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Men’s clothes shops
Shoe shops – Adult and children Video hire More Ladies clothes shops Book shop (new books) Electricals – i.e. TV, videos etc Gift shops Pottery/plates/cups etc Named stores – Next, Claire’s Accessories, Boots Good luck to anyone who opens any of the above. We recently had a very nice aromatherapists shop open, it lasted a month. |
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Yes, that's why I counted them under sandwich shops. I think the fact that they're bakeries is really good and the fact that they're individual does benefit the street. It's a shame that most people (myself included) buy the plastic bread that they sell at supermarkets.
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The thing is that thousands of people come to shop in Ossy each week - at Ossy Mills - we have to get people visiting the rest of the town! |
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My other post isn't being defeatist as well. I love Ossy, and thought about starting a business here when I moved back, but with day time trade being so quite it just wasn't a viable option. My mum let a shop for the last thirty years to a florist/fancy goods shop, which sadly closed last year because trade was so bad. People want to live in Ossy it seems, but not shop here. See the carpark at ASDA for the answer. |
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Sadly there is very little benefit to the rest of the town, even in the immediate vicinity, because people get back in their cars/coaches without venturing any further. |
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I know! I shop at Asda myself but I justify that by the fact that it's employing a lot of people in the Hyndburn area (plus my Brother In Law who works for the head office in Leeds). I do also try to use local shops as often as possible but I'm not usually around these days to frequent the sandwich shops as often as I'd like to.
Ossy doesn't get much passing trade so must be hard for businesses to survive. That's why it needs a reason for people to leave the confines of Ossy Mills and potter up the main road. They'll only have that reason if there's enough for them to want to look at. |
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I think you've just highlighted another problem, most people who live in Ossy don't work here.
The days of Dad goes to work, Mum walks to the local shops daily, are long gone. Most people work and drive, and the supermarkets offer busy people convienience. Without that core customer base, most business can't rely on passing trade to survive, even if they got the occasional footfall from Ossy Mills. |
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Another problem is parking. There's a real problem in Ossy already. On the one hand you have the two 'attractions' Ossy Mills and the Civic Theatre needing lots of parking but on the other hand you have residents who can't park outside their own houses. Passing trade for the shops needs somewhere to park as well.
It's a bit like catch 22. You want people to travel in to Ossy to shop to keep the shops alive but when they do there's nowhere to park or they upset the residents by parking in front of their houses. The residents want resident only parking but if the shops died then the town really would be ghost town. I need to get my head around this before offering any suggestions - it's huge! |
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At the top of Ossy there is land being used as a carpark that is on the site of the old Co-op buildings. The council had the opportunity to purchase it to make a carpark, but decided against it. It was bought by a church, who have kindly let people park there whilst they raise money to build their church. Sadly though they are due to start building soon and parking is going to become even more of a problem, especially as this is the part of the town with our one remaining post office.
Great leaflet by the way Gayle that you just leafleted.:) |
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I know, I thought it was a disaster when the Council wouldn't buy that land. It's a complete lack of foresight, isn't it?
Glad you like the leaflet - one person said they'd vote for me on the strength of the picture alone! I'm a bit wet now though - what a rotten day for doing this! |
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The council tried to buy the land at the side of the civic theatre to knock the empty buildings down and make a car park. It is Lancashire County Council land and they would not sell it for what Hyndburn was offering. Thanks LCC for helping us out. A car park next to the Theatre would be much more usefull than those horrible empty buildings.
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french polishers/ furniture restorations and reproduction furniture some items are restored so granted one or two items are " second hand " so to speak ;) http://www.thefurnitureclinic.org . |
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Lol. I wondered if Gayle meant that. It's one of the best shops in Ossy, and besides the reproduction stuff, for high quality second hand read expensive, but good quality antiques. People come from all over the North to get their antiques repolished there.
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I know I did the furniture shop a bit of an injustice in some respects but it wasn't intentional, I was just trying to sum it up in a short sentence.
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Very interesting observations gayle, how does "ossy" support
8 off licences 8 hairdressers (ladies) 7 beauty salons 7 sandwich shops 4 high quality ladies clothes shops makes you stop and think, well groomed, nice tan, quality clothes, with butty in one hand, and bottle in the other :D |
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Your alright up Ossy if you want a drink,something to eat or a sunbed for 12 mins LOL:) :)
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Garinda, you seem to have lost an "m" in that quote :o
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I always go for the full 12 myself - minutes that is, MINUTES ON THE SUNBED! Goodness, what did you think I meant?
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No, I've still got all my m's.
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you may have all your M's...........but you ain't got all your arbles!!
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i have just read your list for shops on union rd and i am shocked that you have missed simpsons health store off it the shop has been open 3 years its no wonder shops dont do well in oswaldtwistle people walk around with there eyes shut
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Good point.
They are always friendly and helpful when I've been in there. |
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:) When I left school I started to work at G W Farnworths Buchers on the corner of Trinity St and Union Rd (note it now a ladies clothes shop) and while I was there I used to take meat orders to Martins' Bakery, 2 Cafes (1 near to the car sales and the other near to the Golden Cross) a Chinesse take away (and they had a shop in Clayton as well) and a few other shops and I would have to walk past 3 other butchers between this shop and the Golden Cross and there were at least 2 more near to the Town Hall.
My oh my do I feel old now but that was 35 years ago :( :( :) |
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This is very interesting to me. Our council took the opposite approach and ploughed tax payers money into a scheme at considerable risk, to try to save our town, which sounds a bit like ossy. Atherstone is a small town with a pop of about 6 thousand, with a mancetter being a an older area that’s adjoining the main town adding it up to about 11 thousand, And a very close village of Witherley just over one field but in the county of Leicestershire. Atherstone has struggled for years but against all odds has always fought back. Never more so than in the last two years. We have a lot of history here, most of it has been stolen off us by neighbouring towns and villages. the centre of England is said to be here, the battle of Bosworth has been proven not to have been at Bosworth and was most likely here, as was the last battle of boudica. Atherstone is one of a few remaining town that play Shrovetide football in the main street, all the shops get boarded up and a huge ball gats booted up and down the main street.
To try to get people in to the town, we have several other events throughout the year, including war day celebrations, the main street is closed and taken over with a ww2 theme, sand bags, army vehicles exhibits. WE had an air display at our small air field at the nearby village of baxterley, We have a classic car show in the market square and surrounding streets and car park. We have a summer fun day in the market Square. We have French markets and hopefully soon farmers markets too as well as the poorly attended but still in existence twice a week town market. we have a dickens night in the main street and surrounding car parks to mark the switch on of our famous Christmas lights, street entertainment, stall, fairs, exhibitions, crafts etc. Also last year our carnival was resurrected, this year we're hopefully going to get floats, and hopefully have an ‘it's a knockout’ on the field. Plus there’s other school fetes and fire station fete etc. Witherley has its now famous scarecrow festival, locals make scarecrows to display in their garden or as part of a central display on the green or in the church. All this advertises the town, and area, and brings in tourism as well as creating a sense of community and civic pride. The borough council has also, as I mentioned pumped money into another project. Atherstone Booktown, England’s first Booktown. It's been slow getting there and has had problems, mainly from the town having high rents and rates. Most of the shops are owned by one person Allan Lloyd of Lloyds chemist group, although he did buy one of the hotels, gut it, refurb it and add a bookshop. |
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Those are fantastic ideas Madhatter. For a while I've been asking on this forum, what should we do - let's forget the negative for a moment and think of really positive ideas that promote the town/area and get attention for the right reasons. I've had quite a few ideas myself and if ever I'm in such a position to work on them I promise that I will do (bit tricky at the moment with the political situation but should things straighten out in May it will get a whole lot easier).
There are all sorts of festivals, events, activities, markets etc that could be brought to a town like Oswaldtwistle to really get the place buzzing. Thank you for your constructive comments and I'd love to hear more from anyone else. |
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Does it mean you are too busy at the moment to follow your ideas through? Or Does it mean that you are only interested in following your ideas through if you are elected? |
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It means that whatever happens in May it will be easier for me to do some of the stuff that I want to. If I'm elected then I'll be able to push for things as a Councillor, if I'm not elected then I won't have to sift through all the politics to be able to do some things.
And yes, I am a bit busy right now! |
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Ah thinking time.
Is this town council or borough gayle |
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Local Council
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Sometimes neil you can achieve more if your not elected. Quite often the people who are elected can't think for themselves at all and look to people like gayle for ideas, not that they'd admit it of course.
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I thought it was Hyndburn Borough Council not Hyndburn Local Council |
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I didn't say it was Hyndburn Local Council, I know it's Hyndburn Borough Council, I was saying that I am standing for the local Council - not sure what your point is!
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borough council isn't local council. borough council is for the borough and can cover some considerable distance.
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local council is local council for local people. tis town council is local council. bogs and bus shelters, but can do a great deal if they stretch their powers to the max.
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When the politicians are talking in terms of council they call them local, county and national.
There is a lower level which is known as area/town council but these are not elected by the people these are made up from elected local councillors and co-optees. Therefore, I will go back to my point that I am standing for local council which is as Neil points out Hyndburn Borough Council. |
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What is a Parish Council please Gayle?
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Some areas do have Parish councils but they are more commonly known these days, and in Hyndburn, as Wards.
Yes, I suppose Park you could argue that too! Although, I am standing for a Ward but ultimately that is for a seat on local council, i.e. Hyndburn Borough Council. |
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A parish council is now known as a town council. Our town council is elected by the public, is mostly non borough councillors, are rarely co opted on and they aren't paid to do it. A town council meeting is open to the public to watch but only speak during the public session of the main meeting. Here we have a main town council meeting, about once a month, then inbetween is a planning meeting, a policy meeting and a contracts meeting although sometimes some of the meetings are merged. our council has quality status and is taking over more and more responsibility from the borough council. We refer to it as town, borough and county. The main things, the cemetary is run by town, play areas, some street furniture, salt bins rubbish bins, signing 714 grants, opinions on planning, allotments, honourary citizen, some of the christmas lights and some of the infrastructure of, some of the dickens night and other events. borough deal with rubbish, housing, planning noise environmental health etc
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In Hyndburn we don't have Town Councils in that way, we have Area Councils but they have very few powers.
Currently Area Councils are made up from the local councillors (otherwise known as the Ward councillors) for the areas covered by each Area. The Borough Council (what I refer to as the local council and what is always refered to as local when talking about elections, i.e. local elections) is made up of Wards, Councillors are each elected to a Ward - some wards have two elected Councillors. I think each Borough does it slightly different or calls it slightly different thing but essentially there are three elected levels in the UK - local, county and national. Think we're all talking about the same things just calling them by different names. |
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Town council has three wards here north central and south, borough has three wards north central and south, any councillor can be just on borough, just on town or on both according to which elections they stood in and for which wards, and not necessarily the same wards if they stand for both. they don't even have to live in any ward, as there are other reasons that entitle you to stand in a ward such as working there. What you are standing for is a seat in a ward on a borough council.
Parish councils dissapeared a good while back during reshuffling I believe. A lot of their power was given to borough and town took over what was left. This is of course now reversing in a lot of areas. A town council should still have a parish meeting once a year though were the whole parish is invited to ask questions about the parish as a whole, which will then get passed on to the relevant council be it town borough or county. |
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No wonder you can't get anything up there then, you have no down to earth on the ground councillors with any power.
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I may slate our town council for not giving me a grant while they give their favourites a grant, and they may come up up with some crap schemes such as a band stand on the square that will block the church out but they do a vital job here, they are the link between street level and borough level. borough councillors here are useless, they never listen to what people are sayin, the borough council as a whole never listens, they just do as they please when they please. our new kitchens and the endless parade of cowboys working for the borough are testiment to that
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Gayle may as well give up with the ossy shops thing, you'll never convince the councillors to commit money to any regen scheme unless you convince them that it's their idea. |
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Although it may be possible, cos it was gayles idea and if she gets ellected .The worlds her lobster.
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:) May I just state and correct someone (Park381 I think) but Oswaldtwislte has never been a Parish Council it was and still is (boundry changes etc) the largest URBAN DISTRICT COUNCIL in the UK
Unless someone knows different that is :engsmil: |
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Am I right in thinking Labour is against Area Councils Gayle? I think you posted somewhere that you are sort of for them but maybe not in their present form. |
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I think, like you do (omg are we agreeing here) that the Town/Area Council (whatever name) should have far more powers with the budget of the town. We say that Oswaldtwistle Area Council is one of the better ones but is it really? Yes, there are a lot of people attending but does it actually achieve any more than any of the other Area Councils that have less people attending? I'm afraid the answer to that has to be NO, again for the reasons we've said here and the lack of power. Did you know that each and every Area Council meeting costs in the region of £5,000 simply to hold? If you add in the time of the two employees who work for the Council solely on Area Council business, the expenses that the Councillors claim, additional officer time, the paperwork and postage, the hire of the rooms, etc. If we get 50 people in the room in Oswaldtwistle that works out at £100 per head - think of the value for money that other Area Councils are getting with the same overheads but even less of a turn out. So, sorry to waffle but to answer your question - yes, I am in favour of an Area/Town council in theory but the way that they are currently run in Hyndburn then I would have to say NO. Having said that, I wouldn't want to abolish them I would want to correct them so that they work for the people of the town. |
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I agree with that neil.
There is clearly a big difference between our town council and your area council. Do you not have proper meetings for this area council? . As I've said, our town council deals with a lot really, and is increasing it's power and budget every year. We wouldn't have cctv, christmas lights or flowers in town if it wasn't for town council. Town council is made of of ellected on local volounteers that put themselves up for election. They don't get paid and get very little costs. It's only town mayor who really gets costs. Borough have their own mayor too. I've put myself up in the past, but didn't really have my heart in it, At the time I wanted the contract to put the christmas lights up and regretted getting so involved with the raising of money for them, because that effectively cut me out. I could have used that money to put the lights up in my area of town, instead of me paying it all. For that reason mainly I didn't have my heart in it, didn't vanvas and was glad at the time not to have got in. I'm still in two minds as to if it's the right thing to do, even our town council is still politically led, that is things are pushed and blocked to score political brownie points. In my opinion there's no room for political crap at that level, the things town council do are very close to the public, as listed above but even more sensitive is the cemetary, which is totally run by town here. Don't know if you've ever heard of topple testing gayle but if not I'm sure you will. Political point scoring, based on destroying peoples graves. Think not. |
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Fortunately there aren't any cemeteries in Oswaldtwistle - well not any that are being used for burials now.
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Makes no difference gayle, if they are council responsibility and they have stones they'll need topple testing. To any council about to do a topple test I'd say public consultation before so they know why and how is vital.
Anyway, whats this woman week all about and where does that happen. It should be on here advertised not confined to pm's. Every event in the area should be on here. Do you have a classic car show like rawtenstall has the bike show? |
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Don't worry, I'll be letting everyone know about the events closer to the time. I just didn't want to bore anyone with it too early.
Basically whole range of events going under the banner 'Something for Everyone'. |
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There is. Immanuel up New Lane. I went to a funeral there recently. There are still a very few plots for sale. |
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I didn't realise. Fortunately it's not my 'patch' so I can be forgiven for not knowing that. But, beauty of this site is that we share information and it's a mistake I won't make again.
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:) Anything to help.
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The lamp at the Library. When it was mooted that it was to be moved, yes we all stood up and said 'no' it should stay where it was. But, and this is the but - this (and we agreed this on another thread) was simply an exercise in getting the County Council to tidy up the trees and to make sure the lamp was working again. It was not really up for debate was it? I will stand by what I said that Area Council has very little power at the moment. |
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That said our council makes some bad decisions, the lights for example, they decide, but don't consult us. I put hundreds of hours in trying to help them get them right, only for them to choose blue tinsel bells and holly with white lights; I've never seen blue holly, only here. Why is everybody obsessed with white lights too and now snowmen, Santa’s or robins allowed. Christmas is for kids, so I say stick your non Christmas lights where the sun doesn't shine.
I already did a small display on the block of flats, because of this I decided that I'd do three blocks and the block of shops. Someone got jealous and reported me to the borough council, who said in future I must have insurance. The next year I got a 714 grant from town council for 500 despite desperate attempts by certain councillors to block it. This year I got nothing. I paid over a thousand in new kit this year. The insurance and electric test have been paid for by an anonymous sponsor, The pub that I also decorated this year has also sponsored me by providing an additional electric supply and storage. Next year I intend to decorate the chip shop, next door, and the pub next to that too. IF I'm here to do it. I want to do flower planters in the summer too cos the town council won't put them here as there is no cctv this far yet. Am I in the wrong to go against town and borough council? should I bow down to their conditions that they try to put on me having the grant. That they want to be able to say which of my lights go where, in fact they want me to give them my kit. Or should I carry on being a rebel and pleasing the public. So much pleasing the public that one guy gave me ten quid towards the costs. |
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You should have a public session at the start about 15 minutes, any other is at the discretion of the chair. Also you should have that parish meeting that I mentioned, that is open to the public.
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do you know im just upstairs painting my bedroom & i thought (as you do) that ...arn't you lucky the people that live in ossy ....all those shops ...no need really to go into town i live in upper spring hill ...there is nothing .only a couple of corner shops (very high prices) no bakers .no butchers .. greens not the sort i want, you lucky lucky people .
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You know what to do then Mez don't you?
Move to Ossy. |
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i nearly did last year neil .but not the right move just yet .........one day?
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I thought we had three chemists in Ossy, one near the bank, one by the side of the co-op and one at the corner of Spring street Emeric Eccles as was?
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I think Ossy has a reasonable mix for its size. One of the problems of attracting stores such as Next, etc, is that retail property becomes more expensive, pushing out the smaller businesses when leases come to be renewed. Thus you end up with a situation like we had when I lived in Battersea - I could buy fabric, Provencal tiles, windsurfing equipment, but I had to get in the car and go to Sainsburys to buy bread. It's sad that we only have two butchers, but we do have an excellent range of butchers on Accy market, and a good bus service. I would like to see a decent greengrocers - have I missed one on your list, Gayle? We have speciality shops like the Furniture Clinic and Evelyns, and also good general stores, which are what people mostly need. How often can you lie on a sunbed without permanent damage?
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I was asking for a debate and had to include chain stores in the mix but I did do it with reservation. Just trying to see what was missing generally or what sort of business could be encouraged - for instance, some small towns become really well known for their furniture shops, some for their arty shops, some for their gift shops, etc. Oswaldtwistle is a bit of a mix of shops but doesn't have enough of any one type to really encourage out of towners to come in as a shopping experience and still lacks a few good shops (you mention greengrocers) for the locals so misses out on both potential markets.
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I've just been informed that we've received funding to do a project along Union Road (Oswaldtwistle Players and Mid Pennine Arts). It will basically be a photography project documenting the local shops and talking to the shop keepers. Before you all shout up, yes, it's lottery money, and yes, there are better things that this money could be spent on but - the money is up for grabs and unless people apply for it it will just remain in the pot.
Have to admit that in some respects I can't defend this project other than we wanted to do it, it sounds interesting, we applied for money and we got it. We're hoping that it will be an interesting look at local shops and regeneration in the area but if nothing else it will be a record of shop life in 2006. There will also be an exhibition of the photos and a new drama piece coming out of it. |
Re: Oswaldtwistle Shops
I trust there will some interesting shots of the Gun Shop. And what about the second-hand book shop? It would be good to see what that place looks like inside, because every time I go past it is closed. Shame! I do like my book shops.
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Re: Oswaldtwistle Shops
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In my life time lots of shops have changed and disappeared, I think it will be a good record of the town for the future. |
Re: Oswaldtwistle Shops
By the way, there is a very dramatic picture of the gun shop on this site.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/tintrax/106013055/ |
Re: Oswaldtwistle Shops
Have to admit I haven't decided what to do about the gun shop. As you probably know I really don't like it BUT if it's to be a true record of the town then it should probably be included. Bit of a dilemma.
As for the book shop - yes, I know David and Linden so will definitely be talking to them. They sell the majority of their books over the internet so really don't need to open very often - it is a bit random. |
Re: Oswaldtwistle Shops
Surely you have a responsibility to report the true state of affairs. It would be wrong to omit the Gun shop but perfectly valid to say it is unwelcome by the majority of people you speak to(if that is actually the case).
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Re: Oswaldtwistle Shops
Well, that's my point really Entwisi - hate it but it should probably be in there.
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If I was compiling a list I wouldn't want to include Wedding shops, or if I did include them I would want to make a remark showing my distaste, but surely that is a No, no? :D |
Re: Oswaldtwistle Shops
why would you not want to include wedding shops Less, The chance of anyone actually wanting to marry you must be so remote its not worth considering :D
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Re: Oswaldtwistle Shops
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Wedding shops are part of the ultimate female plan, once they have you agreeing to this little dressing up charade they know they have you trapped. Forever afterwards whenever you want to go to an interesting social function you will have to fork out for new clothes for her, you will find her sitting on the bed with the wardrobe door wide open and she will be whining, "You'll have to buy me something, I have nothing to wear," then she will hit you with, "unless you want me to turn up in my wedding dress!". (if you don't buckle under straight away), she will even go through the pretence of taking it out of the wardrobe and preparing it for the said function! Don't pretend this isn't true, if you are anything like it was with my wife there will be a large fitted wardrobe so crammed full of her 'nothing's to wear', that your two suits and one casual blazer are kept on a hook behind the door of the spare room. |
Re: Oswaldtwistle Shops
I'm quite disappointed in you for giving in.
I could quite picture you sat in the Stag, sat with with a crying woman in a wedding dress.:) |
Re: Oswaldtwistle Shops
Was this you Less?
Spurned suitor gave ring to beggar An angry lover whose girlfriend turned down his marriage proposal threw the £500 ring in a beggar's bowl. Tim Pockett could not believe his luck when the engagement ring landed in his collection pot, reports the Daily Mail. The honest beggar, who plays his penny whistle for loose change in Shrewsbury town centre, handed it over to the police. At first he thought the ring was worthless but was amazed to later find it was a 2.5-carat diamond solitaire white gold ring. He said: "I was playing my whistle and I heard a man say: "That will keep you going for a couple of days". When I looked up he'd gone but I later noticed something in my bowl. "At first I thought it was costume jewellery but when I picked it up it had a hallmark. I was really very surprised. I didn't know what to do with it." If the ring is not claimed within 28 days, he will be allowed to keep what will be his biggest ever donation. Police later discovered a man had earlier tried to sell the ring to a second hand jewellery shop but fled in tears when he was turned down because he didn't have proof of ownership. PC Dave Walton said: "We feel perhaps that this person may have been in a particular state of mind when he dropped it into the bowl. He may now feel differently and think it was a bit rash." |
Re: Oswaldtwistle Shops
Less would not waste good beer money on rings
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Re: Oswaldtwistle Shops
Unless it was beer cans with ring pulls!
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Re: Oswaldtwistle Shops
Ive been doing a bit of research on Ossy lately and i came across this great thread. I thought about making a new one but i thought it best to bring this back to peoples attention.
Ive been thinking of opening a shop in Ossy. BUT...What kind? We want people to be attracted to Ossy by interesting shops, but if the locals arent using them, the shop will fail. Its a great idea to lure the visitors of Ossy Mills to the rest of the town but how do you lure them and appeal to locals at the same time? I think its a lovely place that could be made better but my thoughts end there:confused: |
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