Shop Doctor

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Recent Shop Doctor visits to retailers in urban areas of Carlisle have identified some interesting challenges facing the diverse range of businesses enrolled in the present support initiative funded by Carlisle City Council.

The area maintains an abundance of small local shops, some newer than others, and the loyalty of many of the local community has been very much in evidence during the shop visits.

Ensuring that the shops continue to meet the needs of the local community whilst maximising their business vitality is however an ongoing challenge for the operators and the Shop Doctor Surgeries will help identify opportunities to help build upon the existing success of those taking part.

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In a survey of shops in Ambleside, Windermere and Bowness undertaken in the last two weeks the number of empty shop units identified was very similar to the results of a  survey undertaken in April.

In Ambleside 11 out of 162 shops (6.8%) stood empty against 12 in April.

In Windermere 6 out of 113 (5.3%) against 5 in April although 3 shops are actively being worked upon in preparation for being re-opened.

In Bowness 5 out of 147 (3.4%) against 8 in April with 2 of the units being brand new and never occupied since completion, probably due to their  location.

In July 2010 empty shops in each of the towns stood at 6, 4 and 6 respectively with Ambleside seeing the greatest increase against last year due to the loss of shops such as Homes of Football, Shinglers, Lucys Delicatessen and one large unit previously occupied by Gaynors ( who still remain very active in their other shops).

Ambleside has seen some new shops units developed within the year, all of them quickly being occupied, but business in general is felt to have suffered from the loss of student activity following closure of the University Campus, a decision that may now be about to be reversed.

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To date 14 businesses across Harraby, Upperby and Currock have confirmed their interest in participating in the Let’s Talk Shop “Shop Doctor” Support Programme. The initiative is totally funded by Carlisle City Council who recognise the importance of shops serving local communities and who are actively demonstrating this by supporting  and promoting the programme.

Those confirming participation include a Sandwich Bar, a Butchers; Florist; Post Office; Newsagents; Greengrocers;  Bakers and a Greeting Cards Shop and present an interesting cross section of the business serving the local community in the areas concerned.

 

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1st July has seen the adoption of our new logo developed for us by Cypher Digital in Milnthorpe.

The refreshing style reflects our commitment to the high street and our role advising, motivating, mentoring and supporting to the needs of the independent retail sector.

Working either directly with private clients or reaching greater sections of the retail community through business or economic development initiatives being delivered thorough  local councils we develop and deliver bespoke programmes individually orienated toward meeting the need of the particular trading environment or retail sector involved.

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The latest round of Shop Doctor in store surgeries will be taking place in three areas of urban Carlisle in the near future.

Up to 16 businesses across Currock, Upperby and Harraby will be receiving visits from The Shop Doctor in this latest round of business support specifically targeted at assisting the independent retail sector.

The work  has been commissioned by Carlisle City Council and follows previous support delivered to retailers in Brampton, Longtown and Dalston.

The asistance will be provided on a first come first served basis and retailers within the nominated areas are urged to make contact to arrange a visit without delay.

Visits can be arranged directly with the Shop Doctor via 015394 40020 or email bill@sldt.co.uk.

Alternatively contact Chris Pearson, Carlisle City Council Economic Development Manager on 01228 817015 or email christopherp@carlisle.gov.uk

Boost your Business information

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Between the 1st and 3rd June the Shop Doctor visited a further 6 high street business based in Middlewich, 2 in Crewe and 1 in Nantwich Cheshire to identify solutions to help reinvigorate trading vitality.

In addition to the in store advice received from the Shop Doctor during each of the surgery visits each business will receive a written prescriptions report summarising observations made during the visit and recommendations as to how cost effective improvements might be enabled.

This latest programme of support activity is funded by Middlewich Town Council and Cheshire East Council.

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Businesses who have come together in Longtown to find routes to help address issues raised in the Longtown Economic Development Action Plan discovered more about the potential opportunities provided through the establishment of a Community Land Trust at their 4th meeting last night (25th May).

Andy Lloyd of the Cumbria Rural Housing Trust attended the meeting and gave an insight into Land Trust establishment and the platform that such an organisation could provide to link commercial activity to community benefit.

The business network is being facilitated by Bill Smith of Let’s Talk Shop via Carlisle City Council funding. Bill had suggested that a Land Trust might provide an innovative route to help revitalise the towns retail offering whilst providing opportunity to develop visitor attraction facilties and affordable rental housing stock.

Following last nights presentation the group are excited about the prospects that such an initiative could deliver are now to further investigate the opportunity.

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During a day spent in Millom on Thursday 19th May ‘The Shop Doctor’ met with a range of local retailers and assessed the impact of some of the important first impressions that faced visitors to the Town .

An evening Let’s Talk Shop workshop was attended by over 20 retailers who were given an insight into the initial findings of the day and received key pointers as to how they could take cost effective steps to help improve the impact of their individual businesses.

A report will be compiled to help Copeland Borough Council, who funded the days programme, identify keys issues that are felt to be impacting on retail vitality in the Town,

The meeting also saw opportunity to promote the ‘My Millom, proud to be’ initiative and to enthuse retailers to take advantage of £300 match funding available towards implementing improvements to their shop fronts.

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Copeland Borough Council have recruited “The Shop Doctor” to assess issues within Millom that are impacting on the retail vitality of the shopping environment and identify routes to help reinvigorate trade in the Town.

Following a day spent reviewing the Town an evening retail masterclass will be used to highlight the challenges identified and detail ways that they can be addressed. 

Our ‘Shop Doctor’ has been dispensing specialised retail assistance to independent retail operators across the north west (and beyond) since 1998 and is presently working with a number of local councils delivering a range of projects to help reinvigorate High Streets across the north west.

Click here for more about Millom