AS the proprietor of Greenlink Organic foods, which has traded in Malvern for over 15 years, I feel compelled to write in agreement with Mike Haycock's comments (Malvern Gazette, December 14), concerning the decline of the town centre.
Greenlink, along with many other traders, were assured by the district council that when Waitrose had been built the resulting increase in town centre trade would bring significant increase in trade to us all.
Despite reservations and grave concerns over what was viewed as a simplistic economic impact study carried out by Waitrose consultants, we reluctantly accepted that those in authority had done their homework. We, however, were unable to find any evidence that any towns in the country had seen more stability or growth in trade as the direct result of building a superstore.
It appears we were right to be concerned. Since opening the 'prestigious' store the town has seen the continued closure of several locally-owned businesses, as well as at least one small chain. The number of vacant shop units and charity shops remains the same. The virtual closure of a once thriving Friday market that used to be situated on the Waitrose site and decline of the Farmers Market, have equally contributed to Malvern's demise.
Since the day Waitrose opened we have seen a decline in trade of over 50 per cent. The lower end of the town centre, at least, has witnessed a catastrophic decline in footfall along Graham Road in excess of 60 per cent - yes, we have kept figures and monitored passing trade progressively over the last four years.
When the Malvern Millions were being spent we suggested a fund be set up to support small businesses during the construction period and the first two year shakedown period of Waitrose opening. We also suggested a sign be put along the pedestrian route to Waitrose promoting the rest of the town, a sensible idea considering most people seem now to think that the town begins and ends with Waitrose.
We acknowledge too the positive things occurring over the last few years. The theatre complex, for example, is heralded as world class, but it has been heavily subsidised by the ratepayer and had a huge amount of capital injected. Clearly precedents do exist to help finance and subsidise some businesses.
A serious attempt at town centre management and economic revival, and not simply a row about Christ-mas lights, would be a start along with a long term vision (i.e. five years) to enable proper implementation of the rejuvenation process and not the seemingly continual bickering we have currently between the town and district councils. Individual traders remain largely powerless in their own futures without an implemented overall plan, the like of which currently appears sorely lacking.
M L GATISS, Greenlink Organics, Graham Road, Malvern.
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