Shops must unite to improve town

Shops and businesses are being urged to work together to improve Newark town centre.

The new chairman of the relaunched retail group of Newark Business Club, Michelle Allen, a director of chartered accountants Wright Vigar, has so far met representatives from about 15 retailers.

She hopes as many businesses as possible will join in a concerted effort to improve the town centre.

“There was a previous retail group that faded away,” she said.

“We have restarted it and have had two or three meetings of the new group.”

One of its aims is to see proposed regulations allowing loading bays in town-centre streets to be used by shoppers for short-stay parking approved.

“We want the retailers to work together to try to increase footfall in Newark and to try to work together to improve some things such as access to loading bays,” said Michelle Allen.

Among the group members are Gannets, G. H. Porter Provisions, Home Inspirations and HSBC.

Michelle Allen said there were more units occupied in the town centre than two years ago, but would like to see window displays in those that were still empty to improve their look.

Mr Martin Isaacs, who opened Home Interiors on Baldertongate in December, said: “We were previously members of the Grantham Business Club as our business originated in the Grantham area, so it seemed like a natural thing to do.”

He believes parking is an important issue.

Mr Mitch Forster, who owns G. H. Porter Provisions on Bridge Street, called on local businesses to be more involved in events such as Newark Carnival and the Christmas market.

The group’s next meetings are at Ann et Vin on October 16 and November 13.