FOLLOWING calls for two-hour free parking in the town centre, Droitwich Standard readers have been giving their thoughts on how to get the area buzzing once again.
The free parking suggestion was raised at Droitwich’s annual town meeting last Monday, where residents expressed concerns about the ‘struggling’ town centre businesses.
Other ideas raised at the meeting on how to help the town centre included one from Coun Richard Morris, who suggested setting up a ‘small chamber of commerce’.
Following this meeting, we asked Standard readers for their views.
Beverley Lockett said free parking has been shown to be the best way to encourage people into the town.
“It is an essential element to help independent businesses start and thrive because it allows people to park in town, and research consistently backs this up.”
Darren Morris felt while free parking may help, he didn’t feel that was the real issue.
He said residents probably wouldn’t mind paying for parking between Monday and Saturday if there were a better variety of shops, such as a gentleman’s clothes store.
Jimmy Apps felt the town centre needed more for youngsters and teenagers, such as a small cinema, a KFC or McDonald’s or a bowling alley.
Stephen Evans said independent shops were closing because people don’t use them and urged people to ‘stop blaming the council and buying on the internet.’
“We have a great butcher on the high street, a fantastic electrical shop, a few ladies’ clothes shops, an independent bakers and shoe repair and gift shops.
“Just going into town and increasing the footfall would make it more appealing to larger stores.”
Mr Evans added he felt the old Argos or M&C buildings would make great indoor markets.
Lady-Lisa Lousvet said rents needed to be reduced but added Droitwich needed to be creative as centres had to evolve to the way people currently shop.
