CHRISTMAS shopping in Leek town centre has been ‘slow’ according to shop keepers in the town.
Many retailers are blaming the abundance of charity shops, the lack of choice and Staffordshire Moorlands District Council’s decision to axe the role of town centre co-ordinator Mike Cozens.
Dane Grattage, owner of Graysh, in Getliffe’s Yard, said: “I’m not as busy as I hoped I would be. I think it might be to do with the type of shops in the town centre.
“Birmingham is famous for its curry mile, maybe Derby Street is turning in to the charity mile.”
Mr Grattage is in the process of setting up an online store, which would mean he could work from home, without overheads. His lease expires in May and he has not yet made up his mind whether to renew it.
Cheryl Aydon, the owner of Broomsticks, in Derby Street, is in the process of winding-down her shop.
She said: “We’re having our closing down sale. The amount of charity shops hasn’t helped; there just isn’t enough variety like there is in Hanley.”
Mrs Aydon claimed that having no town centre co-ordinator would only make things worse.
She said: “I think it’s awful that he’s gone. He holds the town together.
There is no one to go to any more.” The sentiments were shared by Jane Powell, the owner of Over the Rainbow, also in Derby Street.
She said: “I was disappointed. He has been very good with giving me advice.
When I first set up I went to him and got his opinion on a few things and he gave me information on start-up grants. When people want to make the next step, where do they go now?”
Jean Cowie, the owner of Koko, in Derby Street, also blamed the lack of choice in the town.
Sheila Garside, supervisor at the Edinburgh Woollen Mill, in Derby Street, blamed the recession, while Sophie Cox, one of the owners of Bibelot, in Getliffe’s Yard, said the shop is doing ‘okay’, but wondered if people in Leek were leaving their Christmas shopping until the last minute.
Diane Butler, the owner of Blue Moon, thinks the retailers in Getliffe’s Yard are suffering because of a misconception.
She said: “It has been extremely quiet. It’s a nice place to work and a lovely yard, with very nice shops. However, I think people have a perception that you have to have money to come down here. People think it’s posh, but it’s not. I am hoping that we will pick up.”
Despite the many concerns, some retailers have been happy with the runup to Christmas Ms Powell added: “I’m actually having a good Christmas. We have even had visitors from Macclesfield and Buxton.” Tracey Fearn, owner of Glitz, in Getliffe’s Yard, said: “The shop’s had a very good Christmas.
“I think the local people have supported my shop very well.” Jane Burnham, owner of JG Wrench and Sons, said: “It’s been fairly good for us, it’s steady.
“People are still buying for Christmas and supporting us.” Sandra Greensmith, manager at the Yorkshire Trading Company, said the shop had been ‘very busy’ and the response towards the shop continued to be ‘absolutely fantastic’.