Question 1. What do think is good about the area?
Whilst easy to criticise the High Street i do find we actually use it more than we have other areas where we have lived. Whatever your views on Waitrose and Starbucks as brands they are premises that attract you to the area for shopping and one hopes people then remain and explore other shops in the vicinity.
Question 2. What do you think is less good about the area?
With some notable exceptions the quality and standard of shops is poor which is matched by their old fashioned approach to service and upkeep. The prominence of charity shops and the smoking area outside the Weatherspoons are not appealing to many with regards to spending time on the street.
Question 3. What would you like to see to improve the area?
I would love to see an encouragement of independent retailers and more entrepreneurial approach to letting of retail. The early success of Baskervilles demonstrates what can be achieved in the area with the right mix of attitude, skill and product. Likewise ‘Cuts on Hill’, if the high street could take some of this flavour from Aldermans hill it would make an incredible difference.
Question 4a. Specific aspects – traffic
From a personal perspective I only really have issue with the feeder roads onto the High street - Hazelwood, Park Ave, etc where the meter parking at the top of the roads causes constant blockage and regular road rage (from other drivers i hasten to add!) I do feel that the turning into Lodge Drive from Green Lanes (in front of McDonalds) is a bit of a death trap for pedestrians crossing.
Question 4b. Specific aspects – parking
We are lucky enough to have off street parking but I am a supporter of permit parkings if there is appetite in the area.
Question 4d. Specific aspects – look of the shops/architecture
the higher floors of the buildings around the triangle are actually of architectural interest, unfortunately poor upkeep and a lack uniformity diminishes that attraction considerably
Question 4e. Specific aspacts – type and range of shops
Rimini, Baskervilles, Kouzina, Khin Lee, etc all appear to take an interest in the community and appeal. Other shops have a distinct niche (the red cross book shop) or approach (Westlakes) to service that will attract customers from further afield. As i mentioned i believe that Waitrose, Sommerfield, Starbucks and even (regrettably) McDonalds have an important role to play to attract people to the area in the first place. The disappointment is in the rest of the high street that are tired and barely interested (some of the hair salons, the kebab shops, the likes of Boots and Store 21, etc) in the added value that a uniformed approach would bring.
Question 4g. Specific aspects – the Triangle public space
Have lived here two years and I amfraid I still havent crossed that space (although it did look pleasent at Xmas)
Any other comments
I wish you all the best and if i can provide any help or assistance please ask. I own a small barbers in the city of london so appreciate that it wouldnt be easy negotiating with a large number of landlords but even a small difference to the high street should result in a positive experience for all. Good luck.
