THREE VIEWS FROM THE CHAMBER OF TRADE ON THE FUTURE OF RETAILING PARTICULARLY IN BROADSTONE

Broadstone has, for many years, bucked the trend of decline seen in other local Neighbourhood Shopping Centres. There have been very few long term empty shops and offices: - Is this about to change? For the first time in many years there are a number of empty business premises in Broadstone. The enthusiasm of any new person entering on the retail seems to have evaporated. It is small wonder with rent, rates and all costs of running a business, spiralling ahead of inflation. The future with all the red tape, E.E.C. regulations and increasing vandalism, is hardly an incentive to commit 25 hours a day and all of your hard won capital to a retail venture. Yet still there are supreme optimists, willing to take a chance on their innovative ideas and hard work, to make a success of their enterprise.

Broadstone has had a fair share of these enthusiasts in the past. To ensure we get them in the future, the local customers have got to patronise local shops and businesses. If you value businesses who have the time, and take the trouble, to treat you as individuals and care that you are satisfied - Then use them or lose them.

George Hattemore, Former Chairman, Chamber of Trade.

The future of Broadstone as a complete and enterprising centre will be shaped by two great factors:

Firstly, the physical shape of the shopping area will have to evolve into a safer and more convenient environment. This is an important priority. This will mean taking a radical look at the Broadway first. If through traffic could be taken out or drastically reduced, then the Broadway could become a central parking area. Traffic management could form separate one-way flow schemes, with one or two side roads close to the Broadway being changed to accommodate the new conditions. This can only come by using the partnership in existence between Broadstone and the Poole Borough planners. The Residents and the Chamber of Trade should take the lead in setting up a forum for putting forward ideas, with prizes for innovative and practical ideas. The Library would be an ideal display centre for ideas and schemes to be shown to the local populace. It is an essential for the two organisations to form a mutually acceptable policy, for it is an unwise trader that ignores the views of it's customers. I am sure that the local authorities will give credence to any good practical ideas, even if only for the amount of Community Tax and Unified Business rates that we all pay in Broadstone.

Secondly, traders will have to take into account and allow for Internet shopping. When all the hype about this type of shopping has died down, the discerning buying public will realise that buying 'partially blind" is fraught with pitfalls. Just the thought of buying a suit, shoes, food or many other goods without seeing, trying or tasting, shows it could be a really risky process. The chance of fraud, both ways in any transaction, is always a factor. Two more drawbacks also loom :- trying to obtain redress for faulty or unsuitable goods, would very difficult, also trying to get complicated technical goods installed and explained, would be equally hazardous. There is no real substitute for real "hands-on" retailing. However, it is up to the trader to use modern methods to promote his business, by using the Internet to gain information, advertise his services and emphasise the advantages of using a real live trader.

A modern, reshaped Broadstone Trade, keeping up to date, and using modem technology to maintain public awareness of it's advantages and services, really does have a future. Help to take part and shape the "New Broadstone".

Don Harris.

Thoughts on Future Retailing

For many years now the 'traditional' High Street has been under attack from the out of town superstores. These large centres have attracted the large multiples and therefore vast numbers of the public. This has detracted from the amount of custom visiting the 'traditional' High Street and we have all seen the demise of the 'local' retailer.
The 'traditional' High Street is now full of Estate Agents, Financial Services and Charity shops.

However, I believe that a change is afoot. Authorities are beginning to see the light and are looking at the question of out of town centres more closely, especially the threat to local communities.

More fundamental than that, I strongly believe that the small, independent retailer has a lot more to offer the customer than the large multiples and that is SERVICE. On numerous occasions I have visited the large multiples and have been frustrated that either no-one can answer my questions or, worse still, no-one seems that bothered to serve me. On the other hand, I have visited the independent retailer, explained my needs and he has put hand to product straight away.

Why is this? Simple really, the independent knows his trade whereas, with the large multiples, they employ young people with no experience of their particular sphere but who can use a keyboard to sell you something that you have chosen yourself.

I conclude by summarising that High Street retailing is safe in the hands of the small, independent retailer who knows his trade, can offer expert advice on his subject and is able, on most items to be competitive on price with larger stores.

Laurence Cannon, current Chairman, Chamber of Trade

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