Winchester's forgotten traders

10:23am Sunday 30th December 2007

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TRADERS at the eastern end of central Winchester are banding together to attract customers.

Several independent stores and firms have created a group called The Forgotten Traders.

The name reflects their view that civic chiefs are not promoting the area east of King Alfred's statue.

Traders are now taking matters into their own hands. They are using combined radio adverts, with further publicity for St Valentine's Day and Mother's Day planned.

The shops involved include florists, Mills in Bloom, and The Clothes Line dress agency at the eastern end of High Street.

In nearby Bridge Street, the Printed Page, the Blonde Beer Café, The Bridge Shop Newsagent, Redwood Health Therapies and The Bridge Patisserie are also onboard.

Two hairdressing salons, Chaps and Pablo Alvarez, both in Bridge Street, have also signed up.

Some firms in nearby Chesil Street, including The Bridal Room and The Chesil Rectory Restaurant, are also involved.

One of those leading the campaign is Ali Galvin, who has run The Clothes Line for 15 years.

"When people come to Winchester they turn right out of the bus station. They never turn left because they don't know there's anything down here. At the moment we feel we're out on a limb."

She added that trade had been reasonable during the festive period, but they had received little help from civic chiefs.

The Business Improvement District, backed by Winchester City Council and the City Centre Partnership, was of little benefit, she argued.

The plan, which was voted through narrowly by traders in July, will see a 1.5 per cent levy added to business rates to brighten up the retail district.

Mrs Galvin said most firms in her area opposed it because their streets would probably be overlooked.

A council spokesman said all firms in the BID area would be consulted on how the money should be spent, and could make suggestions.

He added that the authority planned to spend more on Christmas decorations next year, and in promoting the city's traders.

City centre manager, Graham Love, welcomed the fact that traders in the eastern city centre were working together.

He added that those in The Square and Parchment Street had adopted similar tactics, and enjoyed success.

"Initiatives like PubWatch, Winchester Business Excellence Awards and the Winchester City Centre Guide published by the city centre partnership have helped to support local enterprise including businesses east of King Alfred's statue.

"The traders in question have made contact with the city centre partnership and a meeting has been arranged at Winchester Business Centre to discuss the plans of the group and how the city centre partnership might support them," he said.

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