Small shops to fight back (From Witney Gazette)

Small shops to fight back

3:51pm Tuesday 18th September 2007

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SMALL shops are fighting back against the threat of 'big boy' chain stores in Witney town centre.

They say there is a future for them in the town, despite the fact that yet another locally-owned business, Stokes Bakery, in Corn Street, has decided to shut in November.

And they have been backed by the town mayor, Chrissie Curry, who says Witney could be in danger of becoming 'yet another clone town' with the building of the new Marriots Close redevelopment - and a further expansion of the Woolgate Centre.

One successful business, Sandwich de Witney, is this week celebrating its tenth anniversary in the town, and another recent newcomer is independent shoe shop McSaw.

Sisters Maria Switzki and Alison McKendrick, both born and bred in Witney, say many of their shoes are unusual, and cannot be found on the high street.

"Witney independent retailers need all the support they can get, otherwise the town will become like so many others, that have the same shops as everywhere else," they said this week.

They moved six months ago in to the former premises of Leigh and Son, Market Square, the ironmongers which closed because it could not compete with new DIY chain stores.

Henry Mo, at Sandwich de Witney, in Market Square, is one of several investing partners from the Oxford Chinese community who have opened up individual shops in and around the county.

"It is all about personal touch and attention to detail. The baguettes we serve are obviously very popular, because there are regular lunchtime queues outside the door in Market Square," he says.

"Customers tell me that you to go to any town centre now, and they are all the same. Independent small shops are fighting against it.

"Look at Cowley Road, in Oxford.

"The rents are going up, and the small shops are struggling to survive."

Stores so far signed up to the new Marriotts Close development, due to open in spring 2009, are all chain outlets.

Plans put before West Oxfordshire District Council this week could also see a substantial two-storey extension built after partially demolishing the Cargo shop in the Woolgate Centre.

Ms Currie told the Gazette: "I really do want to see something done to keep local, independent shops. I would hate Witney to become yet another clone town. We have already lost fresh greengrocers.

"Thankfully, the town still has a good variety of small, local shops, but they don't seem to get a chance to move into the new shopping malls, where the rents are sky high.

"Of course, the message is support your local retailer, but perhaps more should be done. There is legislation to provide affordable homes in new housing developments, so why can't we provide a percentage, say 20 per cent, for independent local shops in new shopping complexes."

Lesley Semaine, chairman of Witney Chamber of Trade, who runs the Royal Oak pub, in High Street, said she also had concerns about local shops.

"I have seen a lot of small businesses go under, and it's a shame. Everyone wants shoppers to come into Witney, but not at the expense of local traders.

"I am a small business, running a local pub, and I've seen the Nags Head, in Corn Street, go. Of course, there are concerns," she added.

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