Thursday, 8 January 2009
What would make you shop in Kenilworth?
Town councillors are urging more people to do their weekly shop in Kenilworth. They say they know many people who go out of the town to do their shopping. For local businesses to survive, they need more support. Where do you do your shopping? What would make you do more of your shopping in Kenilworth? We'd like to hear your comments.
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10 comments:
WHSMith, Waterstone, HMV, Borders, Marks and Spencer??
Having some actual shops - rather than , opticians, travel agents, coffee shops, restaurants,charity shops and junk shops (it's a pound, and buyrite - better quality items can be found at the tip!)
What Kenilworth needs is cheaper parking for one, I am not paying to park in my own town, I shop in other towns on the way home from work to save money.
Kenilworth caters only for those that have time and money to go out to eat, drink copious amounts of coffee, buy a pair of specs every day and visit charity shops. There is nowhere to buy toys, games, dvd's cd's or quality clothing. I would say that for every day items 2 useful shops are the pound shop and Buyrite, many locals appreciate these stores.
And that takes me to -
The anonymous comment about the pound shop and buyrite is unfair - these shops provide a service and many people appreciate them. To comment in this way is ignorant and arrogant, I suggest anonymous needs to keep his opinion to himself and carry on shopping at the tip.
Residents and Visitors to Kenilworth would shop more in Kenilworth if the Town Councillor and Manager worked closely with local businesses to plan an innovative, joined-up package to stimulate local demand.
Yes, there have been several infrastructural improvements to the town lately, and a show of confidence by retailers and leisure-outlets BEFORE the full magnitude of the recession was apparent (implying there could be more sudden closures like Woolworths, Argos Emery's) so we cannot rest easy.
What we need is:
1. More variety of commercial properties - so no more charity shops, hairdressers, opticians, coffee shops et al until the ones we have already have a chance to stabilise.
2. FREE parking (till the recession eases) during the weekends and after 5 pm to stimulate after-work shopping in town. Reduced parking at other times will also help.
3. Innovative cross-promotions so that anyone spending more than £50 in town is entitled to a discount in our local pubs/restaurants/coffee shops or vouchers to use in other local stores. Visitors spending over £50 during weekdays get a 25% discount on Castle entry for the weekend (and vouchers for the restaurants nearby)
4. All local businesses to re-evaluate WHAT they offer and at WHAT COST so they make themselves MORE COMPETITIVE at a time when consumers are changing where and how they buy. There is a reason why Pizza Hut, the Kenilworth Castle and the Coventry Ikea are doing a booming trade at a time when everyone else has no footfall. If you run a shop and no one is coming in, or buying, think about what you are offering and if the consumer market around you has changed. Think different- think how you could offer more value (not necesarrily dropping price).
5. Stop putting Waitrose, Costa and others on a pedestal when in fact, other Kenilworth businesses who have been here and paid taxes much longer our full attention and support.
The 17% increase in footfall is NOT only because of a resurgence of interest in Kenilworth - it can be explained by the fact that people who stopped shopping here while the Severn Trent works were underway have since returned. That interest may be short especially as the economy worsens. So we must not take it easy and get more creative with far-reaching changes to town plans where necessary.
Free car parking, a decent mini-department store like M&S, Debenhams or House of Fraser where you can get everything from clothing, toys, music and cookware.
A decent DIY/Home & Garden store such as B&Q or Homebase.
I work 8-6, which means the only shops I can use during the week are the supermarkets.
I'd be happy to shop in other stores if they open at a time convenient for me. Otherwise I'll stick with Waitrose.
I think the biggest off putter for me is paying to park. I like to nip into town for odd bits but hate paying to park 20-30 minutes. Free parking would really boost shopping in Kenilworth.
More modern shops, less opticians, less charity shops, more places to go for a decent drink (to accompany the many places to eat at).
Stop the old duffers moaning about the bars and give the younger generation something to do other than bandage their ankles after collisions with old lady shoppers!
Well… where do I start!
Firstly, trying to modernise Kenilworth is one thing… it doesn’t work! It’s not been done tastefully & the buildings do not fit in areas!
Secondly, how many charity shops, hair dressers, coffee shops and restaurants etc. can you visit in one day!
Thirdly, parking is a disgrace!
What the town needs is to get back to its routs. “Kenilworth” is supposed to have this wealthy status, but anyone wealthy in its town would not shop there. They would go to places like Solihull, as it has tasteful shops in its class.
I see Kenilworth as a miniature town with a lot of potential there is plenty of closed shops with the room to have some quality & variety stores. This would certainly make the town bring in its visitors. Why should people come visit the castle then shop else where!
Where is the logic behind this!
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