The official version of this document can be found via the PDF button.
The below content has been automatically generated from the original PDF and some formatting may have been lost, therefore it should not be relied upon to extract citations or propose amendments.
From: Tim Murphy [mailto]
Sent: 09 February 2014 11:49
To: Tim Oldham
Subject: RE: SoJ Economic Affairs Scrutiny Panel - Retail Review
Hi Tim
I have tried to get some response and opinion from other retailers in the west centre area but only had a small amount of input from Grant at Drivers .
The town centre as I see it ,faces various threats . Having read some of the other submission I have some of the same views .
Parking and lack of it in the west centre area (I am requesting this week a look at a plan for parking for the next 5 years)
Internet sales . Ease of shopping online and price .
West centre is suffering due to the shift in offices and shops towards the waterfront .
Out of town shopping .At present we only have the J.E.C on queens road and I hope it stays that way , With the arrival of Sports Direct very soon this will greatly affect some of the town sports shops. in turn more empty units .
On a personal note .I feel that certain Politicians are doing everything in there power to push the waterfront and seem to stop at nothing to make that area work. Again I will stress this is a personal view. And obviously this is having any effect on other parts of town .
On a positive note, I do think Richard McKenzie (Town manager) and Simon Crowcroft are doing a good Job in trying to revitalize ailing town areas.
In a nut shell . Town has to be more than a place where commerce is done . It needs to have ease of parking and a lot more entertainment going on in the way of buskers and street acts .If people feel good they will spend money.
Tim Murphy