- ‘CARCENTRIC’ SHOPPERS PREPRARED TO GO EXTRA MILE
CONSUMER
demand has often been a headache for the Chancellor of the Exchequer and businesses alike as varying trends affect the economy. Nevertheless, none more as worrying for small towns and cities as it appears that the motorcar is having more of dramatic effect on local economies than ever before.
As the government seeks to curb consumer spending on the so called ‘passion of motoring’ the contradiction of consumers buying more vehicles becomes more encumbering to our roads and streets as shoppers prepare to go to extra lengths to get their goods.
Carcentrics, stated as the new buzzword for car-addicts, are affecting the way businesses across the country are trading in a big way. Towns cannot compete with the scale of quality shopping in larger centres are finding that many of their businesses are struggling with declining takings.
The Northwest has seen many affects of the opening of the Trafford centre and the regeneration of Manchester city centre have had significant impact on store takings in that region and the regions surrounding the area. Even as far as some northerly towns of Liverpool.
Overall 40 percent of stores were affected by declining takings but this rose to over 50 percent in a ring of centres around Manchester and to over 60 percent in the case of Rochdale and Wigan as the allure of cleaner more accessible shopping held sway over the inconvenience of going to the irksome local high street.
A similar story is happening in Liverpool as it begins its drive to the 2008 city of culture, involving regeneration of the urban areas and buildings as it strives to maximise its tourist intake for the coming years leading to the big event – leaving little room to fight the economic onslaught by the city as surrounding local economies ready themselves for the vacuum acumen of the forthcoming event.
Southport is one such exception to this rule as it fights back against the trend that drives shoppers away from their local economy. Increased Christmas planning and marketing by the town is simply streets ahead according to the Lockwood Survey 2002; having a 25 percent greater strategy by comparison sees the town flourish during that period of the year.
Sadly like other seaside towns such as Bournemouth, New Brighton, Penzance and Newquay, they all share high levels of high unemployment due to small pockets of inconsistent growth. As shoppers prepare for journeys or ‘shopping days out’ more often, pointing to reasons as to why the lower end of the retail core of smaller less known parts of centres suffer and collapse.
References to the report allude that many seaside towns and small towns suffer losses in tourism and trade due to congested roads and pollution turning shoppers away to the cleaner, refined experience that the Trafford centre offers. The demand of consumers is met by a cosmopolitan world of retail shops that large centres can offer as opposed to the limited array of branded names appearing sparsely on the high streets of small towns and tourist resorts.
The love affair with the motorcar is no coincidence nor is it a passing phase - it is an historic addiction, based solely on the freedom of movement – Increasingly having an impact on economies countrywide.
But as Southport begins to appease tourism with the pedestrianism of its roads in a bid to strive for the current trend of a cleaner shopping experience. The question must be asked, ‘If this is what must be done to improve the economy of the town, Why is the accessibility of the town being decreased? Surely giving these ‘carcentrics’ what they want by improving accessibility and parking to the region is an answer to a growing congested seaside town already losing its tourism trade due to the badly handled architectural town planning.
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- Liverpool Waterfront Classics Saturday 20th September 2003
"The biggest classical music concert in Liverpool this century. It's a great taster of the excitements to come in the run-up to 2008." Darren Henley Managing Editor, Classic FM
Date:- Saturday 20th September
Time:- 8pm
Location:-
- Pier Head -
{in front of the Liver Building}
Tickets:- Reserved seats - £10 (Liverpool Philharmonic Box Office: 0151 709 3789)
Unreserved grassed picnic area - FREE
Information:- 0151 233 1359
ENJOY ‘A GRAND DAY OUT’ AT THE PHIL
THE
Phil celebrates Liverpool’s successful bid to be European Capital of Culture 2008, and the opening of its 2003-4 season of music, film, comedy and events with a special Open Day, packed with music and fun for all ages, in the superb art deco setting of Philharmonic Hall. On Sunday 21st September 2003, between 11.00am-4.00pm, visitors can drop in throughout the day and enjoy music, films, talks, tours, exhibitions and workshops that demonstrate the range of activity at the Phil and give a behind the scenes look at how one of the UK’s premier arts and entertainments venues works. All events are
FREE!
At 11am, 11.30am, 12 noon and 12.30pm, the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra will give 4 free concerts in the glorious setting of Philharmonic Hall. Indian dance and music performances from 11.00am introduce Aphiliated Music, the Phil’s new season of jazz and world music, featuring international artists.
In the afternoon, members of the Orchestra will play at a Tea Dance in the Hall’s light and airy Grand Foyer Bar, with refreshments provided by the Phil’s award-winning restaurant, The Lower Place.
The afternoon includes showings of all three Wallace and Gromit animated movies - A Grand Day Out, The Wrong Trousers and A Close Shave – screened on our unique, art deco Walturdaw rising cinema screen.
Behind the scenes, the RLPO Live team will be on hand to demonstrate how recordings are produced for the Orchestra’s own CD label. Visitors can also light the stage, or print a ticket during one of the Lighting or Box Office Tours.
Visitors can also enjoy music workshops with musicians of the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra and guests, a quiz, prize draw and an exhibition of some of the fascinating archive material collected during the Phil’s 160 year- plus history are also part of this action-packed day.
The day ends with a chance to sing on the Philharmonic Hall stage. Visitors are invited to join the Liverpool Philharmonic Community Choir led by Director Gareth Owen, for a Super-Sing-Along.
Call the Box Office for full details on 0151 709 3789
and see local press nearer the date.)
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