News
Traders hit by building work get rescue plan
Monday 23 June 2008
By Richard Catton A RESCUE plan is being launched to help hard-pressed Ripon businesses suffering a loss of trade since work started on a major city centre redevelopment.
Shops and other businesses are being asked to contribute to a major promotional campaign designed to tell shoppers that Ripon is ‘still open for business’, despite the disruption.
Ripon City Partnership distributed letters to shops and businesses this week asking for a minimum donation of £50 from each as it tries to raise £10,000 for press and radio advertising.
We need to make it easier for them when they get here.”
A meeting is expected to take place next month, to which traders will be invited, to discuss the plans.
Ripon city manager, Eamon Hannaway, said: “We should all be working on creating a 'feel good factor' for Ripon going forward.
“There is plenty to be confident about where businesses start working together to create and take control of their own destiny and people understand the many benefits that the new development will bring in a year or two’s time.”
The move comes following a survey by the partnership which reveals a slump in trade and a lack of confidence for the coming year among the business community.
Retailers say they have been hit hard since construction work began on the new shopping development west of the Market Place.
The survey, carried out in May, reveals 69 per cent of traders feel the recent traffic diversions are having a major or medium impact on their business.
A decrease or no change in business was experienced by 80 per cent of traders questioned, with 76 per cent expecting things not to change or to worsen.
Poor car parking and loss of footfall was considered the biggest threat to trade over the coming months.
In the letter sent out to businesses, County Coun Bernard Bateman says: “We were pleased with the number of replies but not with what we read in them.”
He said it was important to get the message out that Ripon is still open for business and he intends to launch a marketing campaign in July and August backed by Ripon Area Business Association and Ripon Independent Traders Association.
“Your support is vital if we are to turn the business for many in our city and no matter what the size of your business is, all need to give it their support,” he writes.
Coun Bateman suggests a minimum donation of £50, with national companies contributing £500 or more.
The plea has so far gained a mixed response. Barry Parsons, owner of Cathedral Court Giftware in Kirkgate, said: “I would be happy to pay it because, when you consider the price of advertising, if they promote Ripon in the right way, I would benefit as a gift shop.”
However, Annette Lyons, of Perk Up Restaurant in Market Place, said: “To put forward a proposal like that is the last nail in the coffin. I think the timing is all wrong.
“It’s like Gordon Brown saying ‘I would like you all to contribute an extra £100 for fuel at the moment.’ It should have been done three years ago.”
Maria Wilson of Drinkswell in Market Place believed the money should be spent on improving car parking facilities.
“If they had £10,000 they should put it towards a park-and-ride, not advertising. People already know Ripon is here.
