LDC's report found 20 per cent of shops in Letchworth GC town centre were empty. Photo by Alan Millard.
Report says 20% of Letchworth town centre shops are empty
By Nick Gill
Thursday, February 9, 2012
2:11 PM
ONE in five shops are empty in Letchworth GC town centre, according to a report published this week.
Vacancy rate during LDC visit
Letchworth GC town centre: 20%
Stevenage town centre: 14%
Hitchin: 9%
Stevenage Old Town: 7%
The Local Data Company (LDC) surveyed more than 700 town centres in the UK during 2011 and when visiting Letchworth GC found the town centre’s shop vacancy rate was 20 per cent.
The figure was the second highest in the East of England behind Dunstable, with a rate of 22 per cent.
In Stevenage town centre 14 per cent of shops are said to be empty, with seven per cent recorded by LDC in Stevenage Old Town.
Hitchin remains below the average vacancy rate in England of just over 12 per cent, with LDC recording a figure of nine per cent. Baldock town centre was not visited.
"I would urge people to come back to Letchworth and give its shops a chance"
Responding to the report, Letchworth town centre manager Lee Boswell said: “The LDC have managed, again, to bring an awareness to a national problem. It is a shame that certain towns get singled out but at least it keeps the plight of the high street in the national conscience.
“If central government stick to their assertions that high streets are at the core of their new localism agenda and actually deliver against these ideals then maybe we can start to make in-roads into vacancy rates. Let’s start by reversing the decision to increase business rates by 5.6 per cent.”
Cllr Tom Brindley, North Hertfordshire District Council portfolio holder for planning, transport and enterprise, said the council is “acutely aware of the issue with empty shops in Letchworth” and pointed to decisions to not introduce parking charges on Sundays, evening and bank holidays and improving car parks in the town as proof of their commitment. He added: “Letchworth has a high proportion of small and independent shops which give the town its special flavour but can also be vulnerable in an economic downturn.
“The town centre is an attractive place to visit thanks to the major regeneration works by Letchworth Garden City Heritage Foundation and I would urge people to come back to Letchworth and give its shops a chance.”
Stevenage town centre manager Tracey Parry believed the report was an “accurate reflection” of the situation in Stevenage although added that empty shops earmarked for development such as Park Place may distort figures.
“Stevenage is a long long way away from being described as a failing high street”, she said.
“Yes we do have some empty premises but we also have lots of premises which are still full and there are lots of successes despite the economic climate.”
Keith Hoskins, Hitchin town centre manager, said the LCD report only provides “a snapshot of a single day” and therefore does not take into account empty shops which may have been leased but not occupied.
He added: “The strength of Hitchin is it has a good strong independent trade and of course the market is resurgent.”
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5 comments
I have just come back from town and I am fuming. Another shop is closing in the shopping centre - Millett. And once again I have heard that the rents are too high. I really don't get what is going on in this town (I am new - since April 2011). I really want to shop in Letchworth Garden City. I don't know anything about Hitchin. For me it's much easier to go back to my local haunts in London where I know shops, shopkeepers and the prices. Letchworth Garden City is an amazing town. It's the first Garden City - therefore I have suggested to Heritage Foundation late summer to try to get UNESCO Heritage Status - because of the historical and social significance of Letchworth Garden City. That would raise the profile of this wonderful town - and put us firmly onto the tourist trail. I have suggested various ways trying to raise the profile of this town (focussing on the 'alternative' history of this town) and also to attract new green businesses into LGC i.e. the empty buildings in the industrial site. LGC has fantastic transport links into Kings Cross International - just about 2 hours to Paris, 2 hours to Brussels, and with the planned German high-speed trains you will be in Frankfurt from Kings Cross in about 5 hours (2015). There are also the airports - Stanstead and Luton. And there is Cambridge - with a massive potential of highly educated and motivated workforce who is willing to start up new business ventures - (who in turn would employ more local people) if you are able to attract them. Why is the heart ripped out of Letchworth Garden City? Why is the Old Town Hall empty and not a hub for new and up and coming young local businesses? Why is the old school building empty? Why will the Museum be moved to Hitchin? I have attended many workshops last summer organised for the 'town centre consultation'. I met many passionate and dedicacted Letchworthians. I know that the demand for new shops and businesses is here. I know that many other people have suggested good and modern approaches for Letchworth Garden City. People love their town. Can we please invite Mary Portas to this fantastic place to make sure the First Garden City will have the good and bright future it deserves?
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Sigi from Letchworth Garden City
Monday, February 13, 2012
Today - Monday - I have just come back from the Town Centre. Another shop is closing. And why? The rents are too high! That's what I have heard now from a few business people. I am fuming. What is going on in this town? Why do we have to go to Hitchin to buy the basics? Who is killing this amazing and fantastic town? And why?
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Sigi from Letchworth Garden City
Monday, February 13, 2012
funny this as this is the same shop we are waiting for planning to grant us a3, we are all ready to go move in and set up! its been empty for 33 months and we are interested! funny how the heritage can be choosy as they decided we do not fit in with their town center plans, well i disagree as we are offering jobs, apprenticeships local, school work experience and so much more, family low cost mezze nights, belly dancing nights and fresh local produce from the other businesses in the town!!!! we also will be offering other evening entertainment and small group events like poets night! we also have lots to offer the locals with selling local pottery, platters and tagine pots! we moved out of the wynd as the shop had no toilet facilities hoping to move into this one but has the heritage would rather leave it sitting empty we dont have no other choice to sit and wait! we built up this business with nothing and also proved popular. we are trying to support our local town centre for the future of our next generation!!!!!!! truly shocking!!!!!
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saharaz bistro
Friday, February 10, 2012
I recently moved to Letchworth Garden City because it's such an amazingly charming place. I try to shop locally. But I cannot even get basics here! So I am forced to do my shopping online, or in London (where i come from). I like to go out in the evening for a drink or a meal. But where are the bistros and the bars? There are lots of empty shops. Why are they not let? 20% empty shops indicates extremely poor management in a fantastic place like Letchworth Garden City.
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Sigi from Letchworth Garden City
Friday, February 10, 2012
In February 2011 I visited Letchworth intending to lease one of the many vacant shops there. Having liked the look of three that all advertised that they were available to let by the Heritage Foundation, I duly telephoned the number provided to express my interest, only to be told that they had either been taken or were under offer, and no, no more would be available. To date, I note that two of the three are still empty. On other, non Heritage, empty premises there was also a number to telephone, one that was never answered. In frustration I gave up and moved my business into Baldock, which was definitely the right thing to do as the town's own regeneration has made it quite the place to be. Could it be that the reason that there are so many empty shops in Letchworth is a total lack of interest or enthusiasm by the person or persons' that deal with them?
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Slackalices
Friday, February 10, 2012