High Street in need of a lift

THERE have been calls for action to make the High Street more viable to new businesses, folliowing the closure of three shops in a week.

Electrical goods store Fused and shoe repair specialist Fast Fix shut their doors on their High Street businesses along with Bootique shoe shop in Tolbooth Street.

They were added to the growing list of local firms who have shut their doors for the last time in the face of falling footfall and modern shopping trends.

“We looked at our trade over the past few months and decided that it was no longer economically viable to stay open,” said Bootique owner, Bruce Flood.

“It has got quieter and quieter on the High Street which has been in steady decline since the RAF left Kinloss.

“I’ve also noticed there are less tourists visiting the town.

He added: “The High Street needs a lift - at the moment it’s full of charity shops and hairdressers so there is no reason to come shopping here.

“And I believe that if the retail development at Bogton goes ahead then I can only see the High Street getting even quieter.”

Bruce believes that his custom was also affected by cars parking illegally on Tolbooth Street, as they affect the public’s ability to spot his shop.

“It would have been nice to have a sign hanging outside our shop but we had to remove it because it kept getting knocked off by traffic squeezing between illegally parked vehicles,” he said.

“We’re incredibly sad to go as we’ve had a great time here and made a lot of friends.

“Unfortunately circumstances have dictated that it’s time to go.”

The owners of Fast Fix and Fused declined the offer to comment but it is believed that they also closed because of falling trade.

Pearl Hamilton chairs the Moray and Keith branch of the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) whilst running her own shop, Pearl’s Pets on Tolbooth Street.

“The closure of any small shop is not only a blow to our high street, but to the local economy as a whole,” she said.

“The FSB believes that there’s still a lot of work to be done to turn it around.

“A vibrant small business sector brings huge benefits to our communities, as we have highlighted through our “Keep Trade Local” campaign.

“The campaign encourages all of us to support our local economies by buying from local independent businesses - whether those businesses are in service, retail, or manufacturing.

“We can all do our bit by thinking small first, whether it’s when we need a tradesperson, when we shop or when we visit a cafe.”

Pearl has welcomed expanded business rate reliefs but wants a renewed commitment to town centres from central and local government. In the meantime, FSB will continue to work on behalf of Forres firms.

“We have been making efforts to encourage an innovative approach to town centre policy,” she added.

“We’ve welcomed the move into Forres High Street by local award-winning web services agency, Canary Dwarf, and look forward to the arrival of new businesses to the town over the coming months.

“We also supported the inaugural “Small Business Saturday” last December and will do so again this year.”

Forres Area Community Trust (FACT) have also been bringing local business people together to seek ways of addressing the problem.

“We are willing to support initiatives that local traders feel would stimulate trade,” said FACT chair, Brian McDonald.

“We have also established a Forres Area Tourism Group that is seeking ways to increase visitors to our town and is again composed of local business people who have recognised the need to work together to achieve this.

“There are many ways in which customer traffic can be increased but it will require a concerted effort by local business working together to bring that about.

“I feel confident that we have the originality and business acumen for our town centre to be reinvigorated.”

Marc Hindley, owner of High Street digital agency, Canary Dwarf, and chair of Forres Town Centre Working Group (FTCWG), is similarly disheartened by the news that more local shops have closed. Marc wants more done to prevent further closures and to encourage more business.

“It’s a big blow that three closures have come at once,” he said.

“FTCWG have been running promotions on the High Street and in the press to encourage people to stay longer in the town centre.

“Despite the hype around superfast broadband, Forres is still way behind with mobile connectivity, meaning shoppers and visitors can’t use their smartphones - although some local businesses do offer this service for their customers.

“This is also something the group is working to bring to the town on a wider scale.”

Marc wants to give people to have a reason to come to the High Street, and suggests large and small events, market stalls, entertainment and art.

“People will spend their money where they are comfortable and if that is in their armchair, that won’t help the high street,” he said.

“The situation won’t change without action.”