Well the location model has been completed, and I must admit I was very pleased at the outcome with the main focus being on the town scoring very highly in Customer Service. There were aspects of the location model that highlighted the main concern for the town, which is foot fall.
So with the location model available for viewing in a few weeks, I thought I would highlight one section from the meeting which was held in Ruthin Castle last month. If your business didn't have a presence there, then you well and truly missed out on a fantastic insight into the people that visit and shop in Ruthin.
It is one of these street interviews conducted by Skillsmart Retail that I wanted to see the back of once and for all.
When asked about facilities that would benefit the town, almost a quarter of people asked requested
'cheaper / better parking'.
I'm not going to beat about the bush when I say that Car Parking has been a considerable thorn in the visitors and business owners of Ruthin's side for some time, and it is something that is continually being raised in our executive and open meetings, with good reason. Astronomic Car Parking fees has been the reason behind what many businesses and users seemed to be at a loss with when it came to attracting and keeping people in the area, especially when Molds rates for example are considerably lower. Recently they have very kindly found funds to reduce the price of car parking in the town for a period of time, and it was extremely warmly welcomed in a town like Ruthin where we always felt that the fees were a contributing factor in the visitors to the town centre not being as high as they could of, however if we can't have the same rates as neighbour towns that are flourishing with businesses, then the Chamber decided to push it a step further.
With direction from Mr Alan Wheatley on our Exec, who has been battling for free parking in town for probably longer than I've been alive, a pilot programme by selected shops is being implemented to see if we can bring shoppers into town, and keep them here, or at the very least enable them to stay longer.
The programme is run by participating establishments sticking a 'Free Parking' sign in their window provided by the Chamber, every person that shops in that venue will be able to see how much they have to spend to receive a nominated amount of their car parking fee back.
For example, if you shop in Gareth Lynch Jewellers, and spend maybe £20 then you could receive 20 pence back towards your car parking. If they then continue, to say Montecito and spend another £20 then they may receive another instalment of the car parking fee back by the retailer. In essence, for every shopper or visitor that supports the local businesses, they may ultimately park for free.
This, in my opinion is exactly what the Chamber is about, and exactly what it was formed for. This is the towns local businesses making things happen themselves. The spirit of local business and ultimately the Chamber, being proactive, n local business and see the towns economy prosper in the process. Any obstacles that stand in the way will be over come by co-operation and a spirit of camaraderie that will ultimately see us all working together to make the town a success.
If you would like like to see the end of Car Parking fees in Ruthin, and the beginning of shoppers staying in the town, or would like more information on the Car Parking Programme please e-mail [email protected]
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