You need to consider what the information you have gathered tells you in the light of these questions:

Write your answers here. Base them on the information you have gathered.

Conclusion

It's a Fact

Strength

Weakness

Opportunity

Threat

Need more info

How much of the local shopping provision is in the town centre, out-of-town centre or in the villages?

Town Centre is defined**, as are Jarvis Brook shops**. New Supermarket (Morrison’s) -,edge of town location posing a threat to existing shops/stores*****. Lidl development on west side of A26 and not seen as much of a threat with a possible provision for extra car park spaces via pedestrian crossing over A26 **** (?)

Whitehill provides limited shopping, as does White Hart/Crowborough Hill location, Alderbrook and Green Lane***

*

**

****

*****

*****

(?)

Are there any obvious gaps or shortages in provision of different types of shops and services?

Butchers, Fishmongers, Post Office AND niche shops/services***

*

***

How effective is the use of retail floorspace?

Low percentage of shop closures and what is there is taken up much quicker these days (possible 3m or 4 vacant premises at any one time)**

Layout of internal walls/build a constraint to effective retailing***

**

***

Has the town centre has become a more or less attractive location for retail development?

View is of stagnation***. It will become more attractive when further enhancement of High Street occurs**** but wider variety of retail outlets with more sympathetic frontages would also add value**** to the environment

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****

If there is commercial demand for additional retail floorspace?

Yes*. Potential exists for small retail outlets****. Requires more overt and planned promotion. Niche market sectors should be attracted to provide a better balance of business

*

****

What is retail confidence like?

Quite good. Improved in last 3 years**/*

If WDC could be persuaded to introduce variable and wider range of short term leases, that would encourage and attract smaller/wider range of entrepreneurs to the retail sector***/****

*

**

***

****

Are the local provision and/or livestock markets vulnerable to closure

No livestock market exists but the monthly held farmers market proves popular, brings shoppers to the town in general but requires a more centrally located site**/***/****

**

***

****

What issues has this identified

• Diversity of shops needed – must be encouraged
• South side of High Street to be modernised and made more safe/accessible for pedestrians, the elderly, those with push chairs and wheel chairs
• £10k contribution from Morrisons towards street furniture/design etc. m but concern about pedestrian flow/signing between changed location of Morrisons and the High Street from the original outline.
• Town centre manager needed to help, direct and co-ordinate inevitable management of change
• Business analysis required for retailers to plan their businesses
• No car parking charges required
• Customer care issues need to be addressed
• Farmers Market future location must be secured
• Initiatives required to encourage / attract niche retailers
• Higher footfalls required in High Street and more active promotion of shops needed