Skipton is praised for its diverse high street (From Craven Herald)
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Skipton is praised for its diverse high street
12:55pm Thursday 31st January 2013 in News
Skipton High Street
Skipton has been named as having one of the best ten high streets in the country.
Quirky shops, the castle and its four-days-a-week market are among the town’s attractions listed in the national Sunday newspaper’s piece on towns bucking the trend.
The announcement that Skipton was to be included in the route of the 2014 Tour de France also counted in its favour.
The article, in The Sunday Times, said that research suggested that the more diverse a high street’s shops, the less vulnerable it would be to an economic downturn.
There was also a direct link between the success of a town’s high street and property prices.
Skipton Town Centre Manager, Brett Butler, welcomed the news.
“It’s really good to see Skipton recognised nationally, yet again, as a place working hard to weather the economic storm,” he said.
“We’re fortunate that we have a good number of dedicated people working in our local businesses – and some equally dedicated people in organisations such as the Business Improvement District (BID), Chamber of Trade and the Federation of Small Businesses, all prepared to work with us at the town council and with our partner councils to keep Skipton well and truly on the map.”
He added: “It is no accident that Skipton attracts regular media attention. Our policy of partnership working is very definitely the way forward – and long may that continue.”
Comments(9)
Skipton man
says...
1:00pm Fri 1 Feb 13
It's just the same old same old, charity shops everywhere, gift shops, shoe shops, BORING. the only good news Skiptons had for years is the new Aldi store (that they've had to put on Snaygill) and the new development at the Co-op's old place. seems like no one has any imagination anymore.
thegreatbeyond
says...
1:55pm Fri 1 Feb 13
The Co-Op development looks good with Handpicked Hall and Boyes etc plus fills a void and I'm sure when the town hall development has finished these will attract even more shoppers.
I live in Skipton, work in Skipton and spend money there and after looking around elsewhere have to admit it's by far the best Town I have lived in and I've been to many places and lived in them too.
It seems most of the shops that have gone are large chains that went into administration or bust, but the smaller local ones are doing ok and I'd like to see more of this, but it is obvious that owners of property are still wanting too much rent and they don't care as most aren't from around here.
I'm here for good.
White Rhino
says...
2:24pm Sat 2 Feb 13
It is a fine town lets hope it continues to thrive.
ForgottenButNotGone
says...
5:05pm Sat 2 Feb 13
Skipton Ratepayer
says...
12:54pm Sun 3 Feb 13
Charity shops which sell new goods should not get the full reduction in rates; they are competing with local gift shops, on unfair terms. Only shops like SCAD, where everything is donated, should get the full reduction.
White Rhino
says...
5:19pm Sun 3 Feb 13
Shame they are not classified as' other retail' as they cannot limit them otherwise, like they tried to with cafes.
bootoyou
says...
8:56am Tue 5 Feb 13
High Streets across the UK are dying - and to be fair we (the general public) are to blame to some degree - I think Skipton is doing pretty well all things considered.
Skipton Ratepayer
says...
6:51pm Tue 5 Feb 13
White Rhino wrote:Not that it got them anywhere trying to limit cafes, did it? What is the point of a local council if it isn't allowed to make decisions about the sort of businesses it wants in the town, and the proportions of different types? Although in our case, would anyone trust CDC to make a sensible decision on anything these days?
The council give 10% rate reduction on charity shops in Skipton the minimum allowed, they could give more but do not. Shame they are not classified as' other retail' as they cannot limit them otherwise, like they tried to with cafes.
White Rhino says...
8:24pm Thu 31 Jan 13
This makes it difficult for owners to compete with them as they don't pay for goods or staff. The New Chapter had only been open a month and Oxfam books took over what had been a nice home furnishings store opposite.
Thankfully they are still going, if we value our high street we need to use it rather than let it run down, go to Rotherham to see what that looks like.
The Hanpicked Hall should help and I look forward to it.