Leigh shops close as rent and rates rise (From Echo)

Leigh shops close as rent and rates rise

4:16am Saturday 28th June 2008 in

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LEIGH's image of a shopping area is fast being tarnished by empty shops and a sharp rise in the number of wine bars and cafes, which some fear will worsen if the economic recession bites.

An average of two to three shops a year close and change use in Leigh, but three shops currently closed or empty on The Broadway, is a worrying trend, according to councillors.

Grindley's Bookshop, which closed in January after more than 60 years in business, remains vacant.

The household items retailer Rosalind's is currently holding a closing-down sale, and two newsagents in Leigh are also shutting.

Geoff Fulford of Leigh Town Council said: "This is beginning to look like a bad year, but I would say it is to do with the economic downturn.

"I wouldn't want to put all the blame on one group or organisation.

"Part of The Broadway area is a designated shopping area which should mean 80 per cent of shops are retail outlets, but I believe it has moved far below that recommendation."

Mr Fulford said of the 237 shops in Leigh's main shopping district, more than one in six now sold food of some sort.

He added: "Leigh Town Council would be opposed to any more bars and cafes in Leigh because we feel there is an accelerating change in the town's character.

"The town council wants it to remain as a proper shopping area where shoppers will stop to have a drink or snack and not the other way round."

Peter Wexham, Lib Dem borough councillor for Leigh, agreed: "It is killing the goose that lays the golden eggs.

"If Leigh stops being a shopping centre, then people who used to go there during the day won't anymore and the cafes they eat lunch at won't be viable anymore.

"It is getting so bad even existing cafes, restaurants and bars are complaining about competing businesses opening up.

"There is only one cake and all are trying to get a slice, but as that slice gets slimmer, they are all starting to struggle.

"When some of these properties come up on the market, the businesses which already have bars and cafes in Leigh are taking them over to stop others from taking business away." He said a lot of The Broadway was owned by city investment portfolio holders who buy up properties when they come up at auction and make an income from the rents.

He said: "They get higher rates of return from wine bars than for a dress shops. They are putting rents up every year and even businesses with long leases are now handing in the keys.

"Shops keep being pushed to close by higher rents and rates."

Phil Fecunda, director of Town and Country Property Services, said: "If I was a landlord and successfully applied to change the use of a shop into a restaurant I would expect more rent.

"It is not that easy to get."

But he believes the current trend of visitors to Leigh is what is really shaping the town's future.

He said: "A lot of people come to Leigh for coffee and to window shop, but do not spend much money.

"There are too many jewellery shops, letting agents and hairdressers and not enough variety of retailers. How they all make a living, I don't know.

"The bars in Leigh charge West End prices and are aimed at young City commuters, who like to socialise closer to home, but tend to shop in the City or go to Bluewater."

Mr Fecunda remembered when he started business in The Broadway in 1991, there were plenty of vacant premises and an over-supply of charity shops in Leigh.

He said: "I wouldn't like to see the Broadway go back to that."