Venue: Remote meeting
Contact: Charlotte Douglass 0161 474 3235 | Email: charlotte.douglass@stockport.gov.uk
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To approve as correct record minutes of the meeting held on 4 November 2024. Additional documents: Minutes: The minutes of the meeting held on 4 November 2024 were agreed as a correct record. |
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Declarations of interest Councillors and officers to declare any interests which they have in any of the items on the agenda for the meeting. Additional documents: Minutes: Councillors and officers were invited to declare any interests they had in any of the items on the agenda for the meeting.
No declarations of interest were made. |
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Examples of best practice in other local authority areas update To receive an update from the Town Centre Manager. Additional documents: Minutes: The Town Centre Manager sought to arrange meetings with other local authorities in January to gather information as to how they were supporting their district and local centres. Local authorities in Newquay, Bristol and Whitby would be approached as part of this piece of work. Desk-top research had found that other local authorities tended to hold information for businesses on their websites, which could be used for learning, but did not appear to have specific District Centre Manager resource in supporting their district centres. Information as to the meetings with other local authorities was hoped to be forthcoming in the New Year.
RESOLVED – That the update be noted. |
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Update from panel members on local centre visits To receive updates from members who carried out visits to local centres.
The aim of the questionnaire was to seek the views of local business owners to inform the review on best practice, and whether work could be replicated to support the vibrancy of other district or local centres.
For members taking part in these visits, it was suggested that possible questions be provided to support members with their conversations with business owners (Appendix A). Additional documents: Minutes:
The following feedback was given in relation to each of the questions put to local business owners in several local centre locations:
1. What are your thoughts on this local centre?
· It was reported that the overwhelming feeling in Heaton Chapel was that the local centre was a nice place to have a business, there was a good sense of community and good transport links to the centre. Some businesses reported plenty of footfall, whilst others felt that there could be more. Business owners felt that the local centre was community led and that businesses were a part of the local community. There appeared to be a camaraderie amongst the local independent businesses that worked together closely. No feedback was given in relation to the local centre pre and post Covid-19 pandemic, and some of the younger businesses could not make the comparison and so did not take a view on this particular point. · Similar findings had been reported for Marple Bridge in terms of the sense of community in the local centre; the area was a mix of businesses and residential housing. It was felt that businesses worked together harmoniously. Units were full, and business owners were positive about their local environment and enjoyed where their business was located. It was noted that the local centre was largely made up of independent shops, which could have contributed to the feeling of community. · Contrasting views were reported from Gatley, where some felt content and others felt that there could be more of a variety in shops in the local centre. · Heaton Moor was reported as frequently busy, with lots going on in the local centre. The area was made up of a mix of residential housing and businesses, and there was a sense that local people felt supported. Bars, restaurants and shops were accessible, given the residential nature of the local centre, and it was felt that local people did indeed shop locally. No feedback was given in relation to the local centre pre and post Covid-19 pandemic. · It was reported that some businesses in Heald Green also felt that there could be more of a variety of shops in the local centre, and that some areas of the high street were not as well maintained as they could be.
2. Do you feel as though the cost-of-living crisis has impacted the local centre?
· It was reported that the cost-of-living crisis had impacted businesses in Heaton Chapel. It was felt that people were prioritising buying essentials over luxury items. People were buying less luxury items and although some businesses had a loyal customer base, a reduction in spending had been noticed for luxury items in particular. Business owners generally had had to put their prices up and had noticed less footfall and spend generally in the centre. People were reported to be eating out less. · In Marple Bridge, it was reported that some business owners had adapted to make their businesses work for the new environment. · In Heald Green, rising costs were a concern for businesses as they fought to keep overheads down. A reduction in footfall had been noticed, as people had less resources to shop. · In Gatley, points were raised around internet shopping and the change being driven by this culture shift. Changing populations and socioeconomics were also reportedly impacting the high street. It was felt that culture and behaviour changes could have impacted the centre more so than the cost-of-living crisis or Covid-19 pandemic. · The cost-of-living crisis had been felt in Heaton Moor, but local people were still coming to the centre. It was noted ... view the full minutes text for item 4. |