Justin Tomlinson MP with Becky Clark of Becky's Barbers
Justin Tomlinson MP visited Cricklade Road traders in Gorse Hill to discuss the challenges they are facing in day to day business.
Visiting the Gorse Hill Clearance Centre, Becky’s Barbers, Sunflowers Cafe and Hair By Design, Justin heard about the economic climate in Gorse Hill and it was an excellent opportunity to talk through the steps that could be taken to improve the outlook.
The Gorse Hill Clearance Centre (www.gorsehillclearance.co.uk) buy and sell second-hand furniture as well as offering clearance services. A large proportion of their business used to come from new tenants moving into council homes but increasingly they are relying on passing trade and business gained through advertising, whether it be facebook or door to door leaflets. Justin spoke with owners Richard and Julie about how, as the Member of Parliament, he could help traders in Gorse Hill, but also with his marketing background about how they could boost business.
Justin then visited Becky’s Barbers (www.beckysbarbers.co.uk), a smart barbers run by Becky Clark offering gents cuts but with a personal touch. Faced with huge competition for customers in Gorse Hill, Becky has developed a number of small touches to attract customers. Whether it is a head massage or a cup of tea in a ‘Becky’s Barbers’ mug, Becky puts her high customer retention down to good customer service and these special touches.
At Sunflowers Cafe, Justin joined Gerrie for a cup of tea and a chat about how Gorse Hill has changed over the years. Gerrie has run the cafe next to the Co-Op for decades and so has seen how the temperature on the Gorse Hill ‘high street’ has cooled over this time. This was a really useful insight into the challenges Gorse Hill retailers face and how they could be overcome.
Finally, Justin popped next door to visit Jackie Kirton at Hair By Design, a barbers and hairdressers who too are fighting the competition to attract and keep customers.
The issues raised by the traders were broadly the same. One of the main challenges facing the businesses is falling footfall in Gorse Hill. Whilst some of this is due to the economic situation, the businesses pointed out a number of factors that could be addressed. The old Somerfield site on Cricklade Road, derelict and rat-ridden is a huge local eyesore, putting off people from visiting the area. Justin has since written to a number of companies to track down ownership of the site to in the short term, chase maintenance and in the medium-term, find a new owner.
The look of Gorse Hill’s shopping area in general was raised as being a key factor in declining customer numbers. The state of the street scene came up with every single trader Justin visited and this is an issue that Justin has taken up with the Council to see if something can be done.
Other issues up for discussion were the importance of the free parking behind the Co-op as being a major selling point that the businesses can push and also, the opportunity that any development in the community would bring for investment in the shopping area.
Justin Tomlinson MP said “I really valued the opportunity to visit these traders in Gorse Hill to hear about the challenges facing Swindon’s ‘satellite’ high streets. With the focus on our town centre, it is too easy to forget the importance that these shopping areas have to their communities and it is important that we do all we can to support them.”
Justin Tomlinson MP with Jackie Kirton of The Barber Shop/Hair By Design
Justin Tomlinson MP with Gerrie at Sunflowers Cafe