Town's traders urged to have a say on plans
By Jo Deeks on Wednesday, 29th November 2000.
ENTERPRISE 2000's new retail representative Robin Harman is leading a campaign for a long-term retail plan for Haverhill and looking for views from those involved.
Mr Harman has written to retailers asking for their concerns and aspirations for the town centre.
Enterprise 2000 is lobbying St Edmundsbury Borough Council to appoint a firm of town centre planners to draw up a long-term retail plan for Haverhill.
The group has been a successful industrialists' pressure group for Haverhill for several years but has been lacking in retail representation for some time. Mr Harman was appointed in September.
Less than two years ago, traders in Queen Street complained that they were struggling to survive. Now the area seems to have experienced a revival.
Mr Harman said: "I feel things are pretty buoyant in the town, with very few vacant premises, which is always a good sign. You would struggle to find premises in Queen Street, as everything is occupied.
"It has changed right around. I don't know whether it is because there are a awful lot of people moving into the town or whether it is the feelgood factor. We want to get these people into the town.
"There is land zoned for future development and we want the retailers to give us their views."
Some of the issues raised are whether parking charges keep customers away, whether there are enough shoppers for additional retail development and whether closure of Queen Street and High Street to traffic keeps shoppers away.
Any comments on these or other issues should be passed to Mr Harman by telephone on (01440) 702633, fax 706753, or e-mail robin@suffolk-insurance.co.uk
Mr Harman has written to retailers asking for their concerns and aspirations for the town centre.
Enterprise 2000 is lobbying St Edmundsbury Borough Council to appoint a firm of town centre planners to draw up a long-term retail plan for Haverhill.
The group has been a successful industrialists' pressure group for Haverhill for several years but has been lacking in retail representation for some time. Mr Harman was appointed in September.
Less than two years ago, traders in Queen Street complained that they were struggling to survive. Now the area seems to have experienced a revival.
Mr Harman said: "I feel things are pretty buoyant in the town, with very few vacant premises, which is always a good sign. You would struggle to find premises in Queen Street, as everything is occupied.
"It has changed right around. I don't know whether it is because there are a awful lot of people moving into the town or whether it is the feelgood factor. We want to get these people into the town.
"There is land zoned for future development and we want the retailers to give us their views."
Some of the issues raised are whether parking charges keep customers away, whether there are enough shoppers for additional retail development and whether closure of Queen Street and High Street to traffic keeps shoppers away.
Any comments on these or other issues should be passed to Mr Harman by telephone on (01440) 702633, fax 706753, or e-mail robin@suffolk-insurance.co.uk
E-Mail Link: robin@suffolk-insurance.co.uk
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