Town Centre Changes

Lancsdave - I sort of do run a business in the town day to day in that I employ a firm that works full time on properties in the town. Handimen, plumbers, electricians. If it works out we'll expand. I am in touch with it daily.

I've found the councillors to be open, honest and welcoming about the towns problems in the emails we've exchanged, and I look forward to meeting them at the end of the month.

Not all of the towns troubles can be solved them. Arndale is obviously one of the biggest, but its privately owned, and I'm guessing by a company that cannot afford to fix it (serious money in fairness). Same with the Conservative Club. The Victorian Arcade at Warner also privately owned. Easily acquired for £300k but not a viable prospect for anyone I think inc. current owners.
 
GEaston said:
I've found the councillors to be open, honest and welcoming about the towns problems in the emails we've exchanged, and I look forward to meeting them at the end of the month.
Click to expand...

You'll get listened to because you are throwing money their way. The rest of us just have to be content with paying our council tax and being ignored ;)
 
And didn't TESCO bung the council some wonga.....on the understanding that the bus station was nearer to them.

I think I am right in saying... that HBC could have sold the bus station to spot on or who ever were the big boys at the time.... and they would have done up the old bus station... makes one wonder : why they did not do that:
 
lancsdave said:
You'll get listened to because you are throwing money their way. The rest of us just have to be content with paying our council tax and being ignored ;)
Click to expand...

And that is what I said a while back...if you have money (and there is a chance you will be spending it in, or around Accrington) of course they are going to be welcoming.....attentive....helpful. They want your money to add to the local economy...they would be plain stupid to do otherwise.

We were asked what we did to remedy the situation........and I told this chap that our influence ended with a cross on a voting paper.
So you have just confirmed what I said.
 
My only financial contribution to them is about £600 in building inspector fees. Arguably there's 3 less buildings to serve repair enforcement notices on, which saves them some time and money. Might buy a few lunches but doesn't grant me and privileges of access or policy.

They seem open to suggestion and discussion, but as is well known here I take people as I find them.

Seems there's a lot of negativity towards Tesco, why? Cleared up what looked like a derelict site, and there's been a lot of works put in to upgrade the road system around it. What's not to like?
 
GEaston said:
Might buy a few lunches but doesn't grant me and privileges of access or policy.

They seem open to suggestion and discussion,
Click to expand...

Ah, Yes, the proverbial 'free lunch', it can open doors, after all it's better than the spam sandwich the guys wife lovingly prepared.

I too am open to suggestions, where can we meet?

(See there are times when even I can be bothered!).


GEaston said:
but as is well known here I take people as I find them.
Click to expand...

No you don't, you jump to conclusions and lump everyone together, then attempt to twist what has been said to suit your purpose.

Not to worry though, we do know you to be altruistic you are continuously telling us, if that is you have a spare moment from calling us.

:)
 
I don't mind sparing with you Less but sticking to the thread subject I just think the town can do better. It's worse than most Midlands towns and I'm curious why. The obvious difference that I see is the number of people high on substances wandering around during the day. Maybe you are used to that seeing it day in day out to the point where you accept it as normal, but it was shocking to me (although I don't normally venture so far south. Accrington is a long way from Newcastle).

Sure you get pockets of that in Northern towns, but its not endemic like it is in your town (except maybe Hull).



Terrible housing stock also likely unhelpful to the town.
 
GEaston said:
I don't mind sparing with you Less but sticking to the thread subject I just think the town can do better. It's worse than most Midlands towns and I'm curious why. The obvious difference that I see is the number of people high on substances wandering around during the day. Maybe you are used to that seeing it day in day out to the point where you accept it as normal, but it was shocking to me (although I don't normally venture so far south. Accrington is a long way from Newcastle).

Sure you get pockets of that in Northern towns, but its not endemic like it is in your town (except maybe Hull).



Terrible housing stock also likely unhelpful to the town.
Click to expand...

Accy is in North East Lancashire, part of the North West of the Country, if it were moved to the Midland then it would no doubt be the pits of that area.
As for people high on substances, we are lucky enough that one of the investments that took place in the town was Maundy Grange, which made us the sink hole for other towns evicted. I, like many others avoid the areas these people congregate, e.g. around the outside market, in the inside market, and generally begging around the town hall, if that is, they aren't urinating or defecating in a nearby alley, though they don't go there to throw up however, that is worn on their chest like the badge for some elite club.

So you see, although it may appear that people from Accrington are like that, usually it's someone that was dragged up elsewhere and came for the charity.
:o
 
Last edited:
Restless said:
Good. I'll crack open some beers and enjoy the show :)
Click to expand...

Don't forget the popcorn.
:)

smileyCat_popcorn.jpg
 
GEaston said:
I don't mind sparing with you Less but sticking to the thread subject I just think the town can do better. It's worse than most Midlands towns and I'm curious why. The obvious difference that I see is the number of people high on substances wandering around during the day. Maybe you are used to that seeing it day in day out to the point where you accept it as normal, but it was shocking to me (although I don't normally venture so far south. Accrington is a long way from Newcastle).

Sure you get pockets of that in Northern towns, but its not endemic like it is in your town (except maybe Hull).



Terrible housing stock also likely unhelpful to the town.
Click to expand...

You got probably the top 2 on the list there.
 
GEaston said:
The obvious difference that I see is the number of people high on substances wandering around during the day. Maybe you are used to that seeing it day in day out to the point where you accept it as normal, but it was shocking to me (although I don't normally venture so far south. Accrington is a long way from Newcastle).
Click to expand...

No...we don't accept it as normal...we see the same people too.
The question is what do you do about it ?(In practical terms)

Maundy is the magnet for these people and there are many in the town(businesses who see nothing wrong in this charitable venture) proclaiming their support for the organisation. They do not see that the presence of these people is both intimidating and off-putting, and as such, detrimental to business in general.

It is very easy to tell us what is wrong, but coming up with workable solutions is quite another thing.
 
Just been n the Morecambe Arndale for the first time in yonks. It's about the same size as the one in Accy and I was pleased to see that nearly every unit was occupied and there was a decent footfall or seemed to be.

New Look has gone, to be replaced by a large Poundland, Superdrug has gone, and Bright House has replaced a jewellery/accessories shop. Otherwise much the same.

Euston Road next to the Arndale has about half a dozen charity shops but they are good qualty and don't detract from the area. So all in all I was glad to see that on this evidence at least Morecambe is on the up. Long may it last!

Oh yes - we still have traffic lights too...
 
Margaret Pilkington said:
No...we don't accept it as normal...we see the same people too.
The question is what do you do about it ?(In practical terms)

Maundy is the magnet for these people and there are many in the town(businesses who see nothing wrong in this charitable venture) proclaiming their support for the organisation. They do not see that the presence of these people is both intimidating and off-putting, and as such, detrimental to business in general.

It is very easy to tell us what is wrong, but coming up with workable solutions is quite another thing.
Click to expand...

Maybe as a property developer and a meeting with councillors his suggestion maybe to compulsary purchase Abbey st and demolish it :D
 
I didn't see any renovation activity at all on Warner Street yesterday when I walked the full length. Thought this was going to be the start of the Accrington rejuvenation?
 
Barrie Yates said:
I didn't see any renovation activity at all on Warner Street yesterday when I walked the full length. Thought this was going to be the start of the Accrington rejuvenation?
Click to expand...

Would you have walked the full length of Warner St without the hype?
No doubt there is someone employed ready to say the footfall on said street has increased, just as they interpreted footfall for the market hall to be an increase even though the chef etc cost money but didn't encourage to buy.
 
That's because it's pretty much done. 2 buildings gone from derelict to brand new (a big job on 1820 properties). That you don't notice as you walk down the street is a good thing - just means we replaced everything in keeping with the rest of the street (a requirement for property within the conservation area of the town plan).

I'll post before and after pictures when completed circa end August.

Have also this week agreed a tenancy for one of the buildings before finishing or advertising it, because the people who work on that street do notice. I guess that dispells the board's accusations that I'm an evil money grabbing capitalist. Sorry to disappoint.

I'm never going to be single-handedly the renovator of your town, but by end August three buildings will be complete (all from 5 year empty/abandoned pigeon coup state to new) 1/100th of the buildings in the town conservation area, so just 297 to go.
 
GEaston said:
I guess that dispells the board's accusations that I'm an evil money grabbing capitalist. Sorry to disappoint.
Click to expand...
There you go again...making unjustified assumptions and generalisations about all members of the forum.

Unless, of course, that is how you want us to see you - because that can be arranged.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top