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Friday, 12th March 2010

New bid to boost trade in Matlock

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Published Date:
14 February 2008
A NEW project to help regenerate and stimulate Matlock's economy has been given the green light.
The Matlock Wayfinder Project comes thanks to a £15,000 grant and will see town businesses working in partnership with councils to set goals for regeneration and growth.

The move comes as some traders have reported a drop in trade and others have
had to close following the arrival of Sainsbury's.

Matlock Market trader Nigel Allwood is this week leaving the stall his family has manned for 76 years after he said business had nose-dived.

But Cllr Steve Flitter, Matlock Town Council's lead member for regeneration, said he hoped the project would bring great improvements.

"This project is a great opportunity to build a true partnership for the future," he added.

"Matlock should never stand still and we have a duty to the younger generation to stimulate business and improve the family and leisure environment."

The Wayfinder Project will see businesses, community representatives and councils working together to create a joint action plan to attract new visitors to Matlock, as well as encouraging residents to make the most of local services.

Within the next three months interpretation panels will be installed at key town locations, Station Approach, Crown Square, Firs Parade, Bank Road and Hall Leys Park highlighting features of interest for visitors.

A third area of work, an annual bench-marking survey measuring economic performance and growth, is also being discussed.

The project, made possible by a £15,000 grant from the Derby and Derbyshire Economic Partnership's progressive towns fund, has been welcomed by Matlock Business Group.

Chairman Richard Short said: "Councils and businesses should be working together.

"Any discourse with the relevant bodies is good as long as it is constructive.

"Everyone is having a difficult time at the moment nationally. Businesses have had their problems over the past 12 months but we're looking forward now."

The initial partnership meeting will take place at the Town Hall, Bank Road, on March 5, from 7-9pm.

For more information or to book a place, contact Catherine Rawas, Matlock Town Council's community development officer, on 07964 053129 or email catheriner@matlock.gov.uk.

n Trader quits after family's 76 years: see page two



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  • Last Updated: 14 February 2008 9:44 AM
  • Source: Matlock Mercury
  • Location: Matlock
 
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JOHN WINNARD,

14/02/2008 08:59:44
Info re background available at

http://matlocknews.mysite.orange.co.uk
2

Lone Starr,

Matlock Bath 14/02/2008 13:37:26
It sounds like another case of trying to cover-up the mistakes that have been made by setting up a token "fund". Or to put it another way, rather than trying to correct the problem, organise a committee.

Damage has been done to this town, and it is being made worse by the lack of progress in "finishing" the Sainsburys project. Whatever happened to the footbridge over the river linking the old bus station with the new? Also, they were supposed to be transforming Crown Square to return it to the domain of the pedestrian by getting rid of the waste-of-space roundabout.
In my opinion, and speaking as a resident of the area, the District Council have ruined what we had, and have made little effort to rectify their mistakes with the town planning. What we need is an exterior task-force to sort out the mess. My suggestions for starters:
1.) Close the bridge to traffic, effectively making Crown Square a T-junction with Bank Road. Reclaim as much space for pedestrians as possible - take a look at how much space that roundabout takes up.
2.) Move the market out into the open-air with semi-permenant stalls on the space made available at Park Head and along the bridge.
3.) Close the old bus station and maximise the amount of parking in that area.
4.) Scrap the "pay-and-dismay" meters at the new car park next to the station.
5.) Encourage people to stop with decent signage along the A6. Advertise the new station car park and Artists Corner car park as "Park and Stroll" - they are only minutes away from the shops.
6.) Make more of what we have got. Encourage smaller businesses into empty units with attractive business rates. People love independant shops, and we could all benefit from a good fruit & veg shop, fishmongers, etc.
7.) Clean the streets and improve the toilets. The streets are littered with fag-ends since the smoking ban, and the piles of vomit that are everywhere are totally off-putting.
8.) Something else that works wonders elsewhere. Have late-n
3

Lone Starr,

Matlock Bath 14/02/2008 13:39:39
ctd..

Have late-night shopping a couple of nights a week, and encourage more families to use the cafes, tea-rooms, etc.
9.) Finally, let's stop being so negative about the past, and try to focus on the solutions. It would only take a few key improvements to make a vast difference to the town. I encourage the District Council to start listening to peoples suggestions, and acting on them before it's too late.
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anony mouse,

Matlock 16/02/2008 11:13:37
As i have said before, until Matlock attracts some high street names or shops that I actually want to go to; I will continue to shop in Chesterfield or Buxton. Even Alfreton has a better choice of shops and it has a lesser population than Matlock.
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