Within 90 minutes our first ThinkShop had come up with two action plans for Rugeley, watch this space!

I am excited! From little acorns Oak Trees grow! Come on Rugeley…

If you, like us believe our towns play an important part within the community and our town centre retailers have a lot to offer members of the community, then your support is needed. To find out more please email simon.b@saveourtowns.co.uk

Published by http://www.whitehaven-news.co.uk

Published at 15:47, Wednesday, 14 April 2010

LIBERAL Democrat candidate Frank Hollowell has been looking at the results of the recession and the need for better infrastructure in West Cumbria to attract business to this area.

After meeting business owners in Whitehaven town centre and seeing the number of ‘To Let’ or ‘For Sale’ signs, he said: “It is apparent that our towns here in Copeland are in serious need of support and regeneration, from Millom in the south to Whitehaven here in the north of the constituency.

“We should return local business rates to local control and we must encourage greater lending by the banks to new small businesses.”

Developing road and rail infrastructure was closely related to attracting new business and increasing tourism. With fellow local Liberal Democrats Mr Hollowell visited the much-discussed area earmarked as a possible public transport ‘hub‘, connecting local bus and rail services in Whitehaven. “Public transport at present is completely uncoordinated” he said, “and we want to see an integrated centre for public transport in Whitehaven.

“New schemes and innovative ideas seem to get bogged down in red-tape and planning and never even get off the ground for far too long.”

Mr Hollowell was encouraged by the responses he has had while canvassing. “There is no doubt that people are deeply disillusioned with the situation we have at present, and they are looking for change and reform.” he said.

Published by http://www.whitehaven-news.co.uk

The larger retailers have addressed this imbalance with shops staying open till 8pm weekdays and some open 24 hours, however our town centre retailers close early!  Now I appreciate all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy and your days may be long enough as it is, however we may need to pinch an idea or two from our European friends and siesta in the afternoon and open again in the evenings.  Your thoughts?

Why do I mention Chris?  Simple Chris has a passion for his community and has worked tirelessly for many years to make a difference; today the difference is remarkable and to be applauded.  Our towns and high streets are in a mess and are in need of local heroes ready, willing and able to make a difference.  People can make a difference – Our Towns Needs YOU!

The Guardian is reporting “Foreign retailers are gearing up to conquer Britain’s high streets”   Lured by cheap rents and a large UK market, US and European giants are moving in. Will recession-hit shoppers welcome them? see http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2010/apr/04/foreign-retailers-conquer-high-street

Are we a nation of Shopkeepers?  I ask you what is it that our overseas partners can see that we can’t? When I read

Among the big names coming this way are American institutions Best Buy, Victoria’s Secret and Forever 21 as well as a raft of new European brands including Cortefiel – the Spanish Next – and Clas Ohlson, which offers a curious city-centre mix of B&Q and Ikea.

Come on retailers pull together, there is business to be done, the question is “Who’s going to be doing it?”

It is clear something has to be done and it is also clear, the retailers themselves have to be the ones to do something!  They cannot wait any longer for the Council to do this, or the Government to do that, they need to act now before it is too late!

However, there is hope, in fact more than hope, belief!  Save Our Towns believe our Towns have something to offer our communities, customer service is becoming more and more key in today’s society and who better equipped to deliver outstanding customer service than our town centre retailers; along with specialist knowledge and that added personal touch.  Our town centre retailers have the knowledge and the know how they just need to come up with the answers!  ThinkShops – Save Our Towns!

We need our towns, they have so  much to offer the community and without them the future will be very different!However, for things to change our retailers have to change and here lies the problem, according to the majority of people I speak to.  But surely not!  I believe our retailers have the skills and expertise necessary to make a difference, working together, sharing ideas helping each other. I believe but the question is do you?

Now we read “Many of the 400,000 businesses on this scheme will become ineligible for relief overnight as new rateable values take effect on April 1.” http://bit.ly/debUIb

We need to support our local businesses and we means we!