Newbury shoppers, where have they gone? Options

[Andy Capp]

I presume this is a national trend and not just local. It would seem that after an initial high of around 30% increase in footfall when Parkway opened, footfall has dropped back to where is was pre-Parkway development.

Link to PDF report: West_Berkshire_Town_Centre_Footfall.pdf


A word to creators of reports like these, and this is not the only one, bloody well put what the figures actually represent: 24,000 over how long? Since the last entry; everyday, week , month?

[Richard Garvie]

If you look at the October 2012 spreadsheet, I believe one of the tabs shows the breakdown. As for Parkway being built in the first place, I don't accept that it should have been built the way it was and I certainly don't agree with the back room deals that were done. This being said, I'd much rather have the shops that are there than no shops at all. Some people think if Parkway fails, the buildings will go and the old hardstanding car park will return. As much as some people would love this utopia to return, IT WILL NOT HAPPEN. Worst case scenario will be loads of empty retail units with housing above it. Surely nobody wants that??

[Jayjay]

If you look at the October 2012 spreadsheet, I believe one of the tabs shows the breakdown. As for Parkway being built in the first place, I don't accept that it should have been built the way it was and I certainly don't agree with the back room deals that were done. This being said, I'd much rather have the shops that are there than no shops at all. Some people think if Parkway fails, the buildings will go and the old hardstanding car park will return. As much as some people would love this utopia to return, IT WILL NOT HAPPEN. Worst case scenario will be loads of empty retail units with housing above it. Surely nobody wants that??

You have more faith in human natire than I. Some on this forum would love PW to fail just to say 'I told you so'.

[Richard Garvie]

You have more faith in human natire than I. Some on this forum would love PW to fail just to say 'I told you so'.

Exactly right, but if that ever did happen, Newbury would be much worse for it. There should be some real investigations into why and how Parkway ended up the way it did, but that ship has sailed and it's been built. Being bitter about it won't change anything.

[dannyboy]

There should be some real investigations into why and how Parkway ended up the way it did, but that ship has sailed and it's been built.

That ball lies with SLI. Pension funds own most of the shopping centres in the UK. I'd imagine they generally know what they are doing and that they don't invest millions on a whim.

[Cognosco]

That ball lies with SLI. Pension funds own most of the shopping centres in the UK. I'd imagine they generally know what they are doing and that they don't invest millions on a whim.

Yes especially when the land to build it cost them the the exorbitant investment of a whole £1? Even if it fails and the whole lot is demolished they are not going to be out of pocket are they?

[Penelope]

Yes especially when the land to build it cost them the the exorbitant investment of a whole £1? Even if it fails and the whole lot is demolished they are not going to be out of pocket are they?

Perhaps even sell it on to a housing developer.