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Posted by: eternalriver Mar 4 2010, 05:28 PM

Hi all,

Does anyone think that something like this may be a good idea to make Northbrook Street look more attractive in the absence of real stores?

http://tinyurl.com/yaxmzax

Alan.

Posted by: x2lls Mar 4 2010, 06:01 PM

Looks a good idea, the only problem may be who is going to pay?
I'd suggest it would be a good college project with the best possible chance of exposure for any student.

Posted by: ronald Mar 4 2010, 10:21 PM

I just hope they dont look to realistic otherwise a lot of people will end up with stubbed toes and broken noses

Posted by: Blake Mar 5 2010, 12:20 AM

This seems like some sort of con trick they would have used in the Soviet Union in the Brezhnev era to convince the people was all well when it was anything but.

Another ruse of Brown's Britain.

A bogus Potemkin village.

Posted by: Mariejader Mar 5 2010, 08:12 AM

One of the empty shops in Thatcham is currently being used by Thatcham Photographic Club, and from the feed back to the Town Council and the club most people think it's a good idea.

Posted by: blackdog Mar 5 2010, 10:14 AM

In Bracknell or Wokingham (can't remember which) they have set an exhibition of the work of local groups in an empty shop - seems more interesting that a picture of a pretend shop. Though I suppose the example shown is as much an advert for the space as anything else.

Posted by: Hugh Saskin Mar 6 2010, 11:45 AM

Just been into Salisbury and the frontage of the old Woolworths in the High Street has all the glazing covered by a montage of large colour photographs on the theme of beautiful Salisbury. Sponsors are the council, Spire FM and the Salisbury Journal. Certainly looks attractive, far better than the dreary appearance of the one in Northbrook St. Surely something similar could be done for Newbury?

Posted by: Darren Mar 6 2010, 12:54 PM

I suspect the reason that's not being done is that the landlords want too much rent and woiuld rather it sit empty.

Posted by: Jayjay Mar 6 2010, 07:18 PM

Understand the rent may be high, but why would the landlord prefer the store to be empty?

Posted by: Hugh Saskin Mar 6 2010, 07:32 PM

Sorry - can't quite make the connection. Why should the rents in Newbury be so much higher than Salisbury? Would have thought the 'footfall' as they call it would have been far higher there and thus commanded higher commercial rents?

Posted by: Ron Mar 6 2010, 09:43 PM

It may have been suggested before and I missed it, but why not hold the market in there free from any weather problems? Away from the buses in Northbrook Street that caused the market to be returned to the Market Place.

Posted by: dannyboy Mar 6 2010, 10:17 PM

To avoid setting a new precedent.

Posted by: blackdog Mar 7 2010, 01:13 AM

Why should rent be an issue? The fake shopfront shown at the start of this thread was as much an advert for the shop space as a way of making the street look less depressing. And a less depressing street will be more attractive to prospective tenants - the landlords should obviously be paying for the fakes as part of marketing their site.

Posted by: Hugh Saskin Mar 7 2010, 07:57 AM

Yes, but surely a precedent has already been set if is it being done in other places? Presumably all, if not most, of Woolworths old shops are available for rental through the same firm(s)?

Posted by: blackdog Mar 7 2010, 10:44 AM

Its not about rent - the shop(s) will remain empty. Its not about Woolworths in particular but empty shops in general.

Posted by: GMR Mar 7 2010, 11:08 AM

There will be a lot more empty shops unless they can fill the new shops that will be open when the modernisation work has been completed in Newbury's town centre.

Posted by: On the edge Mar 7 2010, 12:32 PM

Great idea Ron! It doesn't need be tatty and would be a good pull. I'd suggest the start up investment in this would be a very good use of charge payers money; which they'd get back with interest. Really do hope this idea gets legs!

Posted by: GMR Mar 7 2010, 01:26 PM

It is a good idea, that is probably why the council haven't thought of it.

Posted by: dannyboy Mar 7 2010, 03:17 PM

what is it to do with the council?