Andrew Irvine, Belfast City Centre Manager, made a significant appeal at a recent Business Breakfast to Town Centres to invest in improving their appearance. He is spot on.
For many retailers and indeed politicians, the effort spent in such improvements is seen as “wasted”. Yet it is far from it. NI, unfortunately, has at least its fair share of grim-looking town centres – small wonder, therefore, that it has more than its fair share of boarded up shops.
As I have said before, it is a nonsense to suggest that town centres are suffering purely and solely (or even primarily) because of out-of-town shopping centres. It is because, in many cases, they are just unpleasant places to spend time.
Think about it: do you go to coffee shops because of the quality of the coffee or the quality of the surroundings?
Yes, no doubt the buns available play a role and perhaps there is even a particular syrup that takes you back to a particular shop more often than others, but by and large it is comfort which will decide it. It is the same with town centres – they need to be attractive, clean, interesting even.
Let there be no doubt, therefore, that upping the appearance of town centres is money well spent by retailers.
meet the traders half way,car parking is an issue,introduce free car parking(for 1-2 hours) for town centre car parks, and put a levy on out of town shopping centre car parks.In addition a more balanced approach to setting rates for retailers and other businesses many business premises spring up outside town centres as the rates are cheaper,some incentive to occupy vacant town centre properties instead.Introducing better facilities for those with limited mobility would also help.It isnt just about appearance.it is easier to go to a centre park and get a motorised wheelchair if you need it in shopping centres.More thought more initiative you have to make it easier for people to use the town centre.eg the chamber of commerce could put on a bus for late night shoppers,there is a free 1 to the out of town centre,they need to be competetive -but they need a level playing field on which to compete.just a few random thoughts,try to create a feel good factor with music -buskers etc.let people use council owned areas free,
entertainment for kids etc