Need for Retail Impact Study in North East Fife
Posted by Menzies Campbell, MP for North East Fife, at 10:26, Wed 14 January 2009:
I support the call by Cupar's Lib Dem Councillor Margaret Kennedy for a retail impact study for Cupar, however I also feel that this should be extended to include St Andrews and Leven.
The demise of an “anchor” operator like Woolworths in Cupar, St Andrews and Leven is bound to have an effect on the retail profile of these towns.
This will inevitably be compounded by current economic circumstances and it is essential that every effort be made to retain the retail core of Cupar, St Andrews and Leven.
Studies would give an indication of the extent of the impact and provide material for a programme of action to maintain the economy of these towns.
It is better to act now than to allow such important properties to lie empty awaiting the chance of new tenants.
Best wishes,
Ming
Sir Menzies Campbell MP, Member of Parliament for North East Fife, fife_office@mingcampbell.org.uk www.mingcampbell.org.uk
Comments
Commenting on this message is now disabled.
Posted by Flora Selwyn, 10:43, Wed 14 January 2009: (Is this post abusive?) #
Dear Sir Ming, What an excellent idea. I hope it helps to prevent our town from becoming a ghost town. I've heard it said that the the present climate offers an incentive to new, private businesses to move in. I hope that Fife Council will give every encouragement to the small retailer, so that we can retain our distinctive character, and not simply nod in more large national chains homogenising every town from Land's End to John O'Groats. Yours etc, Flora Selwyn, St Andrews
Posted by ELIZABETH MARY SLACK, 13:08, Wed 14 January 2009: (Is this post abusive?) #
I agree with Flora that this is an excellent idea and should be followed up by all who have a say in what happens in our area. Perhaps such bodies as St Andrews World Class and those behind the "Stunning St Andrews" idea could be persuaded to lend their weight to this too. Not only does a town full of boarded up premises and just a few national chain stores put off the tourists and visitors which these two bodies hope to attract in even greater numbers, those who actually live, work, study and shop in these towns require as wide as possible range of shops ready to serve their needs. Without the townspeople of St Andrews, particularly, St Andrews will become a dead place with businesses serving only the needs of visitors, and will begin to resemble time-warp towns like Williamsburg in the USA.