For years High Streets have been a focal point for towns and cities across the country but with well-known stores shutting up shop and retail parks popping up on the outskirts, their future is unclear. Reporter ADAM THOMPSON takes a look closer to home to find out what the focus is on Bedford’s centre-point.
The Queen of Shops has been on the case again this week. Mary Portas’ report has highlighted a series of steps to rejuvenate Britain’s town centres.
She’s put forward a number of recommendations to the Government including running high streets like businesses.
Here in Bedford we’ve seen part of that already with the birth of Bedford BID, where town centre businesses identify projects or services that will add value to the area and agree on the level of funds which they pay to make them happen.
In fact locally we’ve already seen the council and community groups attempting to revitalise the High Street and town centre in order to encourage people to shop locally and support independent shops - no mean feat as giants such as Tesco continue to dominate the area.
But is everyone singing from the same song sheet? Speaking about his hopes for the town after a visit from consumer affairs minister, Ed Davey, Mayor Dave Hodgson said: “With all town centres facing competition from so many quarters such as online retailers and out-of-town shopping, I was pleased to be able to talk to the minister about the range of ways in which Bedford is adapting to present a vibrant and attractive offer to local shoppers.
“From our range of excellent independent retailers to the successful and growing markets, and from the heritage-based regeneration of the High Street to the exciting Riverside North Development, Bedford Town Centre has lots to offer now and in the future.
“We need to continue to work together to ensure Bedford Town Centre is an attractive destination for local residents and visitors, where people can enjoy spending time for shopping and leisure.” Bedford BID has also supported a £3m investment to revamp the High Street.
Speaking about Ms Portas’ report the new chairwoman of Bedford BID, Christina Rowe said: “We couldn’t agree with it more. Our levy-paying businesses choose how we spend the funds they gather each year via their representative board. And we work with public partners - such as investing £100,000 of that levy fund into the High Street Heritage plan.” But Karen Fryc, co-founder of Castle Quarter, believes more dialogue is needed between the council and businesses for success.
She said: “Mary Portas is right with her report. I think that the council needs to listen to local businesses more.
“The Castle Quarter is the largest area of the town that has independent shops.
“I’ve sat down with the Mayor as part of Castle Quarter and my role at Bedford Bid but never as a business owner. We all want what’s best for the town but sometimes what the council wants is not necessarily what local businesses want and need.” Mr Davey’s visit to Bedford on Tuesday coincided with the release of the report which said that town centres need to work like retail parks and become the ‘beating heart’ of the community.
He said: “Bedford is exactly the sort of area that we were looking at when the Prime Minister asked Mary to launch her review.
“Mary’s review has set out a number of recommendations that could make a real difference to areas like Bedford and the Government is already looking at what it can do to make these recommendations a reality.
“High streets are the backbone of our local communities and local economies.
“It is essential that we do everything that we can do to support local businesses which are vital to the daily lives of people up and down the country.”
