Crosby Herald launches a Shop Local Campaign

Nov 26 2009

AS VISITORS turn out to Crosby Village for the Christmas lights tomorrow (Friday) we are launching our Shop Local Campaign.

In a fight to ensure traders stay in business, the Crosby Herald is asking people to shop in the area.

A new multi-million pound Sainsbury’s superstore is set to transform the village but during its development over the next two years shops will need support.

Until then shop owners are determined to keep their businesses going but they need help.

Many are "riding the storm" in the current economic climate but will only survive with continued footfall.

Catherine Caddick, chairman of Crosby Village trader’s Association, said: "I would like to reach out to all of our residents in the area to keep supporting us. We appreciate the support they give us and we would like even more support. I would say please come and give us a try.

"It’s not going to be an easy ride getting through the completion of the new store but when it is we will be in a much better position and the facilities will be so much better.

"I would like to say thank you to the Crosby Herald for launching the Shop Local Campaign.

"I would ask people when they are out to just consider coming into the village."

Car parking charges is one of the main issues traders feel is putting people off shopping in the village.

Following a successful pilot that offered free parking earlier this year, traders have fought for free parking on the two Saturdays before Christmas.

Hundreds of people are expected in the village for the Christmas lights switch-on tomorrow (Friday).

Marina Dalglish, wife of footballing legend Kenny, will push the button at 5.15pm. There will be fairground rides, a farmers market and entertainment.

But shopkeepers need the continued support leading up to Christmas and over the next two years until redevelopment plans are completed.

Sainsbury’s is expected to put in a planning application before the end of the year with a view to completing the store

Plans for the 50,000 sq ft store in Moor Lane were unveiled by Sainsbury’s at a two-day consultation this month.

Work on the development would start in 2011 and it would be completed by 2012.

It would also bring with it 11 new retail units for small traders and larger stores.

Sainsbury’s bought the land from Maghull Developments, which at one stage owned 75 per cent of the village. Maghull Developments owns the former Central Buildings site – now a vacant patch of land – the future of which is remains uncertain.

Around 12 businesses went when the building was knocked down last year. In the past five years a number of shops have left the village and others have moved in.

Despite the ongoing battle, there are only three vacant premises out of more than 60 in and around the village.

Ian Scott, owner of Ian Scott Hairdressing, said he attracts customers from across Merseyside and Lancashire, offering a service to rival salons in the city centre.

He said: "A Shop Local Campaign is obviously going to raise awareness to the plight of the small businesses within the village and what we have got to offer.

"We offer the same as the city centre salons.

"I particularly face problems with parking. Sometimes clients are in slightly longer and they have to run out to put another ticket in the car.

"People come to relax not sit and worry about parking.

"We still have a village, we are not just a few shops within an area that Sainsbury’s is building on."

Don Manson owns Grapevine, fruit and veg shop, which has been in the village for 15 years and he has had a shop in Bootle Strand for more than 30 years.

He said: "Anything that helps bring footfall in is very welcome. At this present time all the local shopping centres are suffering because of the upsurge of new supermarkets opening.

"Car parking is a major issue – people have to pay to come and shop. We as local traders really need help off the local authorities.

"We have always got daily offers that better the supermarkets but if no-one passes the shop that’s a big problem."

Steve Pritchard, owner of Pritchards Bookshop in the village, has also backed the campaign.

He said: "I think it’s an excellent idea. People forget just how good a service that they get from the local shops – the personal service.

"Because we own the business we care a lot more about our customers than the big out of town shops. It’s a much more pleasant experience shopping locally with people that you know.

"But out of town supermarkets are able to use their vastness to crush everybody.

"If you shop locally your money is spent in the local economy. It stays in the local economy and is therefore recycled locally. We offer a much vaster choice and it’s a pleasant environment to come and brows."

Paul Woods, owner of Encore designer clothes shop, wants people to support the campaign and wants parking charges abolished until the regeneration is completed.

He said: "I totally support the Crosby Herald’s Shop Local Campaign, especially in the lead-up to Christmas – starting this weekend with the lights switch-on.

"Crosby is in desperate need of investment and variety – shops, cafe bars and restaurants, which will in turn draw in a new selection of businesses and help secure the more established ones.

"If Sainsbury’s can offer this, they need to ensure they assist existing businesses with relocation. The people of Crosby need to support the regeneration plans. If we don’t there will be nothing left in the village. Ultimately Crosby needs to increase its footfall, to create a destination shopping village we can all be proud of."

Next week we take the Shop Local Campaign to Waterloo

Support for Shop Local >>>