Alunh
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Good opinion there Adam. I bet you’ll get a real show of hands on the location of EM. It might be the centre of the Borough (?), it might be the centre of the Town (?) but the idea that it has been placed within the Town’s shopping centre is not an opinion, it’s a joke. That said, it probably does represent the centre now
Otherwise, I agree with what you have to say (and usually do):)
@thewayneinspain 3167 wrote:
The blockbuster one looks a bit different. Short term: More loyal customers than either hmv or jessops and a core bunch of them are more habitual. Long term: it’s behind netflix and lovefilm, but it does have a very good database of customers to counter them.
Going into admin is probably a help as they can get out of non-profitable or just profitable shop leases. Eventually, they’ll close all the shops, but it doesn’t have to be for a few years yet.
Was in a meeting a few weeks back and a guy said in a few years time people will look back at the 1900s and ask “why did they own so much stuff?” That’s one of the problems retail has; nearly all new consumer products reduce the need to buy other consumer items in shops… e.g. records, cds, books, dvds, etc.
Absolutely true
@Adam 3141 wrote:
..and yet the Grosvenor shopping centre does not affect footfall in Watergate St, the Darwin Centre (Shrewsbury) does not have a negative impact on the (many new) independants in Dogpole.. Etc, etc..
On paper, contrary to yor opinion, EM is superbly connected to the centre of Wrexham with it’s main walkway leading from the High St – who’s very name is in common language used to describe the shopping centre of a town. Yet Wrexham’s High St is anything but. Long since lost to the cheap pubs, tanning salons, cheap pubs, Polish Deli’s, cheap pubs, takeaways and cheap pubs.
Interesting to see last year the old Barclay’s building being spruced up for rental/sale. Looks rather smart. Wonder if it’s had any interest..
Very illogical point made here Adam. You cite 2 shopping developments that are located in the very middle of their respective towns not the fringe. The very middle of Wrexham as it was would probably be at the back of the old Hippodrome Cinema (which ironically was pencilled in to develop). Prior to the development of Eagles Meadow, the town was dominated by the following 3 streets- Hope Street, Queen’s Street and Regent Street (with Henblas Street as a relatively modern add-on). The proof of this was in the rents charged on each, the rates charged on each, the composition of the traders therein. High Street actually fell away aa retail centre for the very fact that it was no longer perceived to be in the centre of the day time economy. In 2007, there were no or almost no local Independents on these streets. As with most towns, however, an organic growth of Independent and local shops (Markets included) had grown in the streets running off these 3/4 streets. Hence, Bank Street, Lampit Street, Chester Street, Lord Street, Chester Street, etc all developed Indie traders. Eagles Meadow was quite revolutionary because at virtually 1 go, businesses moved from the centre to the periphery of the old town. Whilst this development suggests broadly GOOD things for the town, the point that I was making is that it has impacted adversely in the areas that have been denuded of their big names.
This type of fact of life can crucify local businesses UNLESS the local Council UNDERSTANDS the stresses caused and REMEDIES. Thus, my blog was NOT to criticise Eagle’s Meadow per se but to draw attention to the work that needs doing to revitalise the rump outside the EM. Now unless Adam, you are an employee of EM programmed to react to anything that has EM in the blog with spin, I can’t see what you might find to criticise in the original entry (or this one). Oh, and by the way. I am a Retailer
The negative attitude to Wrexham will not be countered by the expenditure of £20,000 on a marketing exercise. Though there is something in the local culture that appears negative about a whole range of things, those who slate the town can base their position in well documented thought. The recent work by the New Economics Foundation and the recent All Party Committee on Markets would both find Wrexham a classic example of a lack of joined up thinking. Eagles Meadow could and should be an out and out success story. It does bring people to the town. Unfortunately the geniuses who designed it located it in such a way that it has altered footflow patterns. This has adversely affected the rest of the town and has adversely affected the traditional town centre and, in particular, the Independent and Market sector.
The pattern of development is very much what the NEF have noted in a typical Clone town scenario. To counter, the Council has to develop a finely nuanced response based around multiple response strategies. This might mean selective pedestrianisation, it might mean rent reviews for Borough owned properties (like the Markets), it might mean better signage. The town has to be locked back together, traversing made easier and more user friendly, etc
Jessops and HMV both share similar patterns in that they were at the end of their raison d’etre. Digital scenarios as much as the overall state of the economy has knackered both businesses. Everyone I know just stores zillions of pictures on their computers. Everyone I know either has transferred some or all of their Muisc & Film to digital. Beyond this, HMV were stupid enough to move away from the obvious core market (the grey generation) and go for yoof
Wrexham remains very vulnerable to the various national trends because the rump of Independent shops are largely in the old town. It is this part of Wrexham that looks threadbare and the local Independents are all suffering as a consequence of the drift to Eagles Meadow of Multiple traders, Customers and Cash.
The main strategy that the Council has to embark upon is to try and connect or lock the town back together again. This will be difficult and complex
The response from me was to the factless diatribe from the contributor who bemoans other people not citing facts (paininspain). You are actually correct NJones, and I’m not sure who actually sourced the Report on British Universities (which covers Glyndwr). Unfortunately, the Report is accurate but as you suggest is not about the Campus per se, but the immediate hinterland.
A big thanks to the Angryshopper for an intelligent input. I’m not sure how the University of Wales now operates but until recently all of the Welsh Colleges were component memebers of the University offering a University of wales degree. I’m not sure where the w-in-s got the 6th form college thing from because even Yale is no longer one having gained FE status years ago. Odd!
From what I can gather, Multiple traders that have branches in Wrexham, particularly Eagles Meadow, have fared reasonably well. Aspirational local traders will have struggled in the battle against huge competition and the changed footflow patterns
@thewayneinspain 2862 wrote:
Wrexham is one of the safest towns in Europe, especially when compared to UK placeslike Manchester, Nottingham or South London. Eagles’ meadow is pretty safe too, uglier than a six form students’ exhibition “inspired” by jackson pollock and full of shops that are killing the town’s future, but safe & practically crimefree none the less.
Just to draw your attention to the Glyndwr University Report of June 2012 based upon stats from June 2011 to May 2012. This actually states that Wrexham is Top of the British University league for enduring crime within 3 miles of the College outside London. Google it or ask the police for data. I presume you have facts otherwise ??
Quite agree with Wrexview on general principles. The Business rates matter is hugely important in a town like Wrexham because if the Public Sector jobs are being squeezed then small businesses have to take up the slack. Business rates are a front loaded tax, paid irrespective of profitability and prevent people with good ideas opening a business or expanding the same. If there are to be taxes on businesses, at least tax profits
