Has Bridport lost its heart? The word in town is that most retailers have seen a sudden drop in trade and takings.
One wonders why, but when I moved here, there was Humphreys’ right in the centre of town which was well known as a meeting point for families as it had something for everyone. Men and women alike. Nothing has replaced the ‘store’ and a golden opportunity was certainly missed by some entrepreneur. Certainly, we have a good selection of small independent traders but Bridport now lacks something to attract people to come and as the Council seems to be anti ‘Big Name’ retailer I cannot see a sudden reversal in the trend. Even the tourists have searched in vain for the ‘store’ in the town centre and are amazed we have nothing ‘interesting under one roof’, of course there is Morrisons Super? Store, but that has only drained customers from the small retailers who in many cases are struggling to survive. What is the answer?
Of course, we have the market, but I wonder why some of them bother to come – and certainly a lot don’t if the weather is even slightly inclement.
The local shops know the town doesn’t get busy on Saturday until about 11.00-ish so why do some many traders start packing up at 1p.m. and start blocking the pavement with iron bars, vans, and boxes just as trade starts to get going.. It’s not all of them, of course, as some stay until the shops close (and I hope they do well!)Surely the Council should put a time stipulation on the traders to stay until at least 4p.m. on a Saturday, just to keep the sales momentum flowing! Or is that too easy?
Even some coffee shops close early – they obviously do not need the cash!
Incidentally, I have been a retailer – shop owner – and worked market stalls so I have more than a little idea about these things…but now prefer to support the Greyhound as a customer.
Let us hope that some of our town councillors read this article to spur them back to life – if that is possible.
So, if anyone out there can give some suggestions, including the shop keepers and market traders, perhaps we can get come up with a solution to put the money back in the tills…
RE: ANYONE FOR TENNIS?
An outdoor shooting gallery would have been of more use.
RE: …AND ANOTHER THING
Ivor i can’t agree with you more, an elderly gentleman pulled out infront of me in town and then stopped in the middle of the road, i got out of my car to have a “”””quiet”””” word with him, his wife got out of the passenger side and said to me “”””don’t have a go at him he can hardly see”””” case in point.
RE: ANYONE FOR TENNIS?
I think a nice out-door ice skating rink would have looked lovely there over the winter months. Then all the youngsters would have a right laugh watching the moaning old fogies falling over and breaking their frail limbs! – Aaah serves them right!
RE: ONE THAT GOT AWAY
Actually you failed to notice the sniped driver in the driver’s seat. That’s the last time that b#*#*#d will park on the traffic lights at the town hall thereby obscuring the lights to motorists and causing a major danger to motorists and pedestrians alike, while all the time having the blessing of the town council who turn a blind council eye to the danger he causes in return for their 20 pieces of market silver. Told you I’d get him !!
RE: LOSING HEART?
How narrow minded goccibos is. Where do people go if they want to get stuff from Argos, Dorchester,Weymouth or Yeovil. Then that’s where they end up doing their Christmas shopping, and forget about the shops in Bridders so we all loose out. If we had a national name in the town more people would come in and use the local shops that they probably didn’t know existed because they go elsewhere.
How do you know their being tidy then Stretchy,You going there every day ? What they should do is put their bin bags in their cars and take it to the tip themselves seeing as their not going to pay for the binmen to collect from their address,true ?
Your’e right – it is a wotsit orangutang. But it’s not the old lady. It’s that bloke with the big sideburns walking it home from the cider club. Wassail!
The council has cracked it – free driving lessons to 150 regular users of the A35. What a load of bollocks, just another way to waste council tax. If you miss the freebee you pay £30 – if anyone wants to know how to drive I will sit with you up and down the dangerous bit for £20 for 10 minutes..someone like Chesilbank might do it for free? just to annoy safe drivers..