9th March 2012

CHARD: Chard team bids to become a Portas Pilot

By Marion Draper

AT A public meeting in Chard Guildhall on Monday evening, councillors, local business owners and representatives decided to go ahead with a bid to become a Portas Pilot town.

During the well-attended meeting, chaired by town councillor Garry Shortland, Councillor Sara Dowell made a presentation which summarised the government scheme, proposed by retail guru Mary Portas. The scheme allows towns with failing high streets to bid for up to £100,000 and advice from Ms Portas (nicknamed Queen of Shops) and other retail experts.

To proceed with the bid it was necessary to put in place a working party with the vision to carry through the project. Councillor Shortland, who is chairman of the town council amenities committee, explained that the council were only able to be involved in an advisory position and to be the accountable body, but the team and the bid had to come from the townspeople.

Chairman of the Christmas Lights Committee and owner of Top Togs in Holyrood Street, Joe Braley, was the first trader to speak. He said: “If you are coming to Chard to shop, what are you wanting? We have to get specialised shops in the High Street with specialised advice. People say they come to me because the young girls working in JB sports don’t know what they are talking about.

“You have got to have footfall to make a profit and 60p and hour to park in Chard puts people off and we have to look at the rates. We can’t compete on volume and price but we can compete in specialisation, the rating per square foot on Chard is one of the highest there is.”

During the forum 12 key suggestions were made which included challenging the parking fees and rates; forming a list of landlords to try and address the condition of some of the empty properties in the town; the possibility of creating smaller starter units within larger premises; and encouraging shared offices for smaller businesses.

It was agreed that a special pack could be presented by local accountants, lawyers and estate agents to help attract new businesses.

The market was also high on the list for discussion along with the need for feedback from people as to why they do or do not use the town centre and what they think is missing.

Victoria Bates, from Holyrood Florist, said that someone had actually suggested she move her shop to Ilminster, implying that it was too good for Chard. Having only been in the town for 18months, she said they should be asking why Chard had a downbeat reputation and she was the first to step up to join the town team.

At the end of the meeting a core group had come forward to be the working party and make the Portas Pilot bid. These were Victoria Bates, Joe Braley, Frances Griffiths of Beviss & Beckingsale Solicitors, Richard Lewis from Scott Rowe Solicitors, Jason Baker landlord of the Choughs, Sam Beech from Harrimans and Maria and Paul Pike from Sue’s Flowers. Councillor Jenny Kenton, who could not be at the meeting, had also expressed a wish to be on the team.

Councillor Shortland said the response had been very encouraging, with the majority of the businesses in the town and on the industrial parks expressing enthusiasm for working together in promoting Chard.

Another public meeting will be arranged in two weeks. In the meantime the new town team will be gathering their business plan for the bid ready for the March 30th deadline.

Input from anyone who lives, works or shops in Chard, or who used to and no longer does, would be welcomed. Suggestions for what Chard needs can be emailed to the town council or written in a letter marked Portas Project and dropped in at the town council offices.

PICTURE: SHOULDER TO SHOULDER Chard town team and councillors making a bid for the Portas Pilot scheme

CHARD: Chard team bids to become a Portas Pilot

Comments

Add new comment