Trader: we need a miracle
Bryan Copland • Published 19 Jan 2012 09:30
16 Comments
Share this
click to enlarge
HBA chair Joe Forte and member Pat Lemmon in an all-too-quiet Haddington High Street
Ten town businesses ponder closure - just as plans for new supermarkets go before council
HADDINGTON town centre needs a "miracle" if it is to have a bright economic future, a trader has said, as new data shows at least 10 businesses could consider closing within the next three years.
The warning comes as plans by supermarkets for edge-of-town stores in Haddington are about to go before councillors.
A 'health check' carried out on the town centre found that 80 per cent of businesses which participated fared worse than expected between November 2010 and November 2011.
At least one business suffered "serious financial difficulty" and 45 per cent had "some financial difficulty" over the period.
Turnover decreased for 58 per cent of businesses, while 70 per cent saw a drop in profits.
The survey also found that 45 per cent of participating business which rented their premises - about 10 in total - did not intend to renew their leases when they finished, most likely within the next three years. Five more were uncertain whether they would opt for renewal.
Only nine per cent of outlets had a better 12 months than expected - the same proportion saw profits rise.
Alarmingly, 61 per cent of traders predicted a deterioration in the business climate over the next 12 months. Only six per cent expected an improvement.
The data was gathered by East Lothian Council's economic development division and released in a report, 'Haddington High Street Town Centre Survey'.
A total of 85 independent retailers - listed in the East Lothian Business Directory and members of Haddington Business Association - were invited to take part in the survey, with 38 responses.
At a meeting of Haddington Community Council, Pat Lemmon - an HBA member who runs The Toy Box on High Street - said: "We need a miracle now. The Haddington health check makes very grim reading."
East Lothian councillor Tom Trotter, Haddington ward member, added: "The figures are scary, to say the least."
Over the period, 35 per cent of outlets reduced their staffing levels, while only three per cent - approximately one business - increased their workforce.
However, more than half of businesses agreed to a marketing campaign being developed for Haddington and had their own website.
The figures tied in with bleak monthly figures for November across Scotland, during which like-for-like sales had dropped by 1.3 per cent from the previous November.
Joe Forte, chair of HBA who runs a sports shop on High Street, said the data painted "quite a black picture" but vowed to remain positive.
He told the Courier: "The survey portrays a town under acute pressure like many other towns in Britain at the moment."
"Apart from businesses feeling the severe effects of the current economic downturn, traders feel that the relocation of council staff to Macmerry, the current increase in internet trading and the non-food items currently being sold by Haddington Tesco have also added to a drop in sales.
"This, and our concerns over high rents within the town, has made a large percentage of the businesses question whether or not they will be renewing their leases during the course of the next three years, should these conditions continue.
"As ever, we remain committed to working with East Lothian Council (ELC) to find solutions. Also, Urban Animation is about to start its report on the 'Haddington Vision'; we welcome this and acknowledge the strong support this has received from ELC and the other community groups.
"Hopefully constructive ideas will come from this that will assist us all in the fight back."
A council spokeswoman said: "The survey was carried out at a time of great economic uncertaintywhich is causing major uncertainty for both retailers and consumers across the UK.
"The economic development unit works at a local level to try to stimulate economic growth with initiatives such as the Christmas Shop Local campaign and targeted promotions of the county to day visitors and other tourists.
"Business support work is also provided such as seminars, trade association marketing grants and business advice for retailers."
The survey was the first of its type to be carried out in Haddington for "some time", but the spokeswoman added that similar surveys could be carried out in other county towns in the near future.
Iain Gray, East Lothian MSP, said: "At first glance this report seems very negative, but the important thing is to use the information to work together and improve Haddington town centre.
"If we want to grow businesses, we first need to identify what the challenges are and I think this report does exactly that. In a county like East Lothian our town centres are clearly important drivers of economic activity despite competition from out-of-town and online shopping.
"We need to make sure that as much as possible is done to promote shopping locally. I have already arranged a meeting with Haddington Business Association to discuss what I can do to help.
"I was interested to see the survey showed strong support for a marketing campaign and a loyalty scheme for Haddington town centre. I know towns elsewhere in the country have introduced loyalty schemes and I think there is a lot of merit in the idea.
"I try to do as much of my shopping locally as possible and I would certainly back the introduction of such a scheme.
"I remain convinced that Haddington can be one of the most attractive town centres in Scotland, and we all have a role in doing what is needed to make that aspiration a reality."
He added: "Having an office on Tranent High Street as I do, I know that these challenges are not confined to Haddington.
"Most of the survey results will be relevant to other towns in the county too and I am sure small firms outside the Haddington area will be keen to explore how they too could grow their business in the coming months and years."
The £20,000 study by Urban Animation is due to be completed by the end of April.
Applications by Sainsbury's, and Tesco to build out-of-town stores will be heard by the council next month.
Traders fear any new out-of-town development would have a detrimental effect on their businesses, and are keen to see Tesco remain in the centre.
Have your say. Post a comment on this article.
-
Socialist
Unregistered User
Jan 19, 11:14
Report commentWhat hope for all the other towns in East Lothian if Haddington loses all these shops.
Recommend?
Yes 4
No 7
-
East of East Lothian
Unregistered User
Jan 19, 11:23
Report commentI didn't realise things were quite this gloomy. Haddington has many fine shops and I would be sad to see any leave. Hopefully an increasing population (if they ever start building at Letham) will make the borderline businesses more viable.
The town does have things going for it. For one it is unspoilt and attractive.
Another problem not mentioned above is the George Hotel - having that enormous derelict lump dominating one end of the town centre drags the place down. Convert it to flats, give it to Travelodge for nothing, just do something with it please.
Recommend? Yes 10
No 3
-
mogatrons
Unregistered User
Jan 19, 14:17
Report commentUnfortunately the reality of multinational supermarkets and internet services and shopping will continue to squeeze local shopping services.......even more so in these austere times.
Those who broaden their market through the internet, and innovate in personalised service while remaining cost effective will survive. The latter is the unique selling point that multinationals can never compete with.
A tough challenge at present, but to do otherwise sounds the death knell for all our local high streets..........
Recommend? Yes 8
No 1
-
sunspot
Unregistered User
Jan 19, 15:43
Report commentHmm - not unique to Haddington by any means but similar conditions being felt by High Streets up and down the country.
However - I do sometimes wonder why some local businesses close at lunch times or take half days when they are also desperate for trade?
Recommend? Yes 10
No 4
-
Local
Unregistered User
Jan 19, 19:54
Report commentand what happens when the out of town supermarket gets the go ahead......
East Lothian Council in particular and many more have bent over backwards to allow the big supermarkets to build out of town shopping centres..........TESCO world is the future.....Dunbar, North Berwick , Musselburgh.....with Haddington next......
Recommend? Yes 15
No 7
-
Local 2
Unregistered User
Jan 19, 21:02
Report commentMaybe the high cost of travel to Haddington doesn't help maybe this is something Ian Gray could look at it costs £3.20 one way from Tranent or macmerry while it is only £1.20 to travel to Edinburgh one way. The shopkeepers in Haddington are friendly and helpful and if they don't have something they always recommend trying another local shop for this .
Recommend? Yes 5
No 6
-
rethw
Unregistered User
Jan 20, 10:31
Report commentIf you do not have a viable business then close it down. Business owners are all too quick to blame big supermarkets and internet shopping, these thrive because they sell what the consumers want and are convenient.
If your business is so fragile that a simple relocation of some Council staff result in you closing down then the business was not viable in the first place.
To succeed in Business you need to adapt and change with the times, High Street shopping will become a thing of the past, so move on and adapt your business so that it can cope.
Yet another story about Haddington Traders feeling hard done by.
Recommend? Yes 13
No 11
-
Baldie
Unregistered User
Jan 20, 16:34
Report commentSome of what rethw says above is correct. Consumer patterns evolve over time and a good example is that of the old fashioned corner shop becoming outmoded. But not everyone has access to a computer, not everyone can get to - for example - the Fort. Factor in the cost of getting there and is the Fort really that much cheaper? And if the Haddington traders are "feeling hard done by", a lot of them stopped feeling sorry for themselves for long enough to walk miles to help raise money for Christmas lights which brought a lot of pleasure to most of us in Haddington.
While I have no doubt that any survey of traders - large or small - in most towns in Scotland would provide a similar result, surely it's down to us who live here to try to support local businesses and jobs when we can? The alternative doesn't bear thinking about.
Recommend? Yes 6
No 1
-
local 2.1
Unregistered User
Jan 20, 20:34
Report commenttranent - edinburgh is £1.30 on the bus
Recommend? Yes 9
No 0
-
Tardis
Unregistered User
Jan 21, 09:32
Report comment -
Socialist
Unregistered User
Jan 21, 11:50
Report commentlets close all the shops in the high street and make them all into carry outs, bookies and pubs then we can all become obese, alcoholics and gamblers, more heart attacks, more liver disease and more addicts
Recommend? Yes 2
No 8
-
NICE
Unregistered User
Jan 23, 11:55
Report commentI note with interest "rethw's" comments on this page... have you thought that perhaps some of these businesses have actually been in business for 10 - 20 years? If they had the foresight to predict how the economic downturn was going to hit them, yes they probably would have closed their business by now and have a job in politics.. thats if they could get one! I would imagine that any reserves built up from the "good days" have all but been depleted now. What does seem positive though is the fact that they recognise its not just Haddington its a nationwide problem and that they are willing to look at further ways to market the town. Another positive thing, is this "vision" referred to... lets hear what the people of Haddington want for their town, it will certainly be interesting! In the meantime, "use it or lose it" as we may end up with a town similar to what "Socialist" refers to!
Recommend? Yes 6
No 0
-
Socialist
Unregistered User
Jan 23, 13:17
Report commentNICE
The only way that we can have any hope of "SAVING OUR HIGH STREET" is by everyone working together within our communities instead of working against each other, usually because of self interest.
Haddington is seen as the main town in East Lothian, it has up to now bucked the trend but like many small business shops is now starting to feel the pain.
It may not be long before all six towns in East Lothian have an ASDA or TESCO , once this happens we will have killed our HIGH STREETS for ever.
However there is still time , we have an opportunity in the coming months to use the Council Elections as a chance to voice our concerns and ask all politicians their plans for their local town centre.
One way forward would be to create through community planning local town centre initiative projects, consisting of local people, local business , community groups, to establish a clear plan for their high street.
Now I am realistic to know that there is not a lot of funding about but unless we start the process now then I afraid my previous comments will certainly come to fruition.
Recommend? Yes 6
No 4
-
Silver60
Unregistered User
Jan 23, 13:24
Report commentHear hear NICE, I agree with your comments 100%. Whilst some of rethw's comments may be correct they make it sound all so easy, if it was most UK High Streets would be in much better shape.
Not all of Haddington town centres problems are not caused by supermarkets, but the possibility of another opening out of town does not lead me to believe this will benefit the town centre. Change can be positive and I do hope that the Haddington Vision report will go some way to addressing the issues that exist such as the state of the streets and pavements, George Hotel, the buildings on the High Street that are not being maintained by their landlords. There is of course the question of what more can be done to encourage more local people to use our town centre shops in Haddington.
Recommend? Yes 5
No 5
-
n yesac
Unregistered User
Jan 26, 21:03
Report commentI totally agree with silver 60. I moved to Haddington 5 years ago and shop in North Berwick rather than Haddington. The buildings are in a terrible state of disrepair, peeling paintwork, too many charity shops, dirty bus stops....it's time the shopkeepers stopped feeling sorry for themselves and clean up the High St.
Recommend? Yes 10
No 0
-
Minnie
Unregistered User
Feb 4, 13:14
Report comment"lets close all the shops in the high street and make them all into carry outs, bookies and pubs then we can all become obese, alcoholics and gamblers, more heart attacks, more liver disease and more addicts"~ Socialist
Sounds exactly like Tranent High Street sadly...
Recommend? Yes 4
No 1
Return to the main index, get more from this section or browse our News archives.
