Most of these out of town shopping things with the obligatory halfords, b&q ect are on former brownfield sites where pre Thatcher the would have been industrial or manufacturing stuff going on.Pretty much every town in the north is like that now. That's what happens when you have successive governments that act like the North doesn't exist.
I dont think that is accurate. Almost every town looks like the same these days after suffers from exactly the same problems as others throughout the land. Town planners throughout the country have followed this model of building out of town shopping parks, with new roads around them with roundabouts everywhere, usually with a Harvester or Toby carvery on them, and a plastic housing estate close by. its not unique to the north, its been backhanders from developers to skint councils everywherePretty much every town in the north is like that now. That's what happens when you have successive governments that act like the North doesn't exist.
The independent retailer is a thing of the past and a dying breed for those still clinging on.I dont think that is accurate. Almost every town looks like the same these days after suffers from exactly the same problems as others throughout the land. Town planners throughout the country have followed this model of building out of town shopping parks, with new roads around them with roundabouts everywhere, usually with a Harvester or Toby carvery on them, and a plastic housing estate close by. its not unique to the north, its been backhanders from developers to skint councils everywhere
The independent retailer is a thing of the past and a dying breed for those still clinging on.
it is all about multinational corporations offering us all the same everywhere we go. The malls / shopping outlets and chain restaurants all built to the same plan (why have planners making several different ideas, costing more when each one is identikit and costs less to produce? (same with football stadiums.... Coventry, Leicester, Southampton, Derby etc all the same.)
The more there are of each store the cheaper for them to get goods onto the shelves knocking out the competition (usually the independent retailer serving the community for decades) in the process.
That is what has smashed corner street shops, that I had as a kid, into oblivion and is now doing it to town centres nationwide too.
I was in Chorley in May when I came over and the town centre was a graveyard. A market town desperately trying to stay alive with cash converter, pound shop, bookies, mobile phone repair and cheap birthday card type shops. There was one fantastic second hand vinyl and book shop that I ended up buying a book on Bob Dylan that I didn't particularly want but just felt bad for the owner who was genuinely pleased to see someone entering the shop!
Hmm, have you not found most products for sale in the Trafford Centre are more expensive than in other shops/online?I must say that The Rock in Bury is superb but i would never use a town centre when i can go to the trafford centre or city centre. Much better experiences.
Most of these out of town shopping things with the obligatory halfords, b&q ect are on former brownfield sites where pre Thatcher the would have been industrial or manufacturing stuff going on.
Hmm, have you not found most products for sale in the Trafford Centre are more expensive than in other shops/online?
Because it has the catchment, people are already isolated in there and more likely to buy something I've found retailers have upped prices of products in their Trafford Centre stores.
Feels like yesterday my grandfather was operating a crane helping construct the Trafford centre.
Thousands flock to Manchester city centre Xmas markets daily, but how many would go if it was held at Harpurhey or Longsight market?Your last paragraph, surely he and the last of the independent stores like this should be put together in a market? Who would honestly go to a second hand vinyl and book shop where you can get everything on line? Markets for me are the way forward, we've all seen how many people buy tat at the Christmas ones and they are viewed as a day out which is what all market should be. It would be beneficial for the shop owners as well, less rent, electricity etc and the shops could be put to more use for developers such as homes etc
Thousands flock to Manchester city centre Xmas markets daily, but how many would go if it was held at Harpurhey or Longsight market?