Blackburn shopping street ‘loses its heart’ (From Lancashire Telegraph)
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Blackburn shopping street ‘loses its heart’
2:36pm Monday 12th January 2009 in
-
- By Tom Moseley » Reporter
THE ‘heart and soul’ is being ripped out of one of Blackburn’s main shopping areas with the proposed closure of Mercer’s, according to traders.
The Lancashire Telegraph revealed last week the retail arm of Mercer’s would close in 30 days, subject to a consultation, with bosses blaming the credit crunch.
Now traders neighbouring the much-loved complex in Northgate – which sells toys, household goods and hardware - said they were devastated.
They blamed falling customer numbers, parking, the town’s Orbital Route and the lack of help for local businesses.
Zaniul Chandia, manager of Northgate News, added: “it’s very sad. This is going to rip the heart and soul out of Northgate.”
Brian Schofield, owner of Zodiac body piercing and tattoist, said: “It will mark the end of a era when the store closes.
“We have been established in Blackburn for 10 years and moved here from the Mall two years ago because the rates were too high and sales were dropping. There just isn’t any help for traders.”
Mohamed Peeru, manager of Blakey Moor Convenience Store, said: “All the staff that Mercer’s employ use this shop. We are going to be devastated by this.”
Shirley Blundell, vol-unteer at Age Concern, said: “I have been here for 11 years and can see that it will have a huge impact on us because Mercers customers have to walk past this shop which we benefit from. It’s going to be dead on here.”
Alan Fish, owner of the Refreshment Bar, said: “The fundamental reason this has happened is that it’s down to the people of Blackburn and down to the council.
“The council encourages supermarkets and out of town shopping but how can we compete with free parking?
"We don’t expect things for free but we expect some help.”
Comments(12)
onlyonesimongarner
says...
2:41pm Mon 12 Jan 09
Remember when there were some real shops on Northgate, and Mercers was not the only reason to go there.
No wonder the other "Traders" are worried, Only the Charity Shops and Dry Cleaners left !!!!!
Market Trader
says...
3:30pm Mon 12 Jan 09
samspence
says...
4:50pm Mon 12 Jan 09
Brian Todd
says...
5:00pm Mon 12 Jan 09
Brian Todd
says...
5:09pm Mon 12 Jan 09
However here again in a little inaccuracy Help the Aged is the shop and, although possible, it is likely the volunteerss are also with Help the Aged. It is true that by Aprl they will become asingle new charity but not just yet!
tpreece01
says...
7:31pm Mon 12 Jan 09
onlyonesimongarner
says...
8:55pm Mon 12 Jan 09
Or do you suffer Big Finger syndrome
Lkie Mee
soap opera
says...
10:14pm Mon 12 Jan 09
joe16
says...
10:35pm Mon 12 Jan 09
If i want to go to Barclays bank, i must pay a minimum of 90p round the corner. Therefore I will never go to Barclays bank or mercers. I'll bank online and go to B+Q and pay more for cheap rubbish made in china.
I have no choice because the rest of my money goes on council tax (and i dont have a dustbin)... but thats another story.
AccyDave
says...
10:46pm Mon 12 Jan 09
joe16 wrote:Why should you be able to bring a 20foot long, 4-ton possession and leave it on a street in our town centres and expect not to pay anything at all?
If i go to accrington to buy, say, a light bulb, the parking is free. If I go to mercers to buy a light bulb, i pay about 3 times the light bulb price just to park...
If i want to go to Barclays bank, i must pay a minimum of 90p round the corner. Therefore I will never go to Barclays bank or mercers. I'll bank online and go to B+Q and pay more for cheap rubbish made in china.
I have no choice because the rest of my money goes on council tax (and i dont have a dustbin)... but thats another story.
When bus journeys are free for all, then parking maybe should be free. Why look after the comfortably off in their cars with free parking, rather than the ordinary person on public transport?
Akki
says...
11:19pm Mon 12 Jan 09
Blondie
says...
10:29am Tue 13 Jan 09
No customers means closed doors.
Marshalls still trade in nearby thriving towns.
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