The picturesque market town of Devizes is facing concerns over the potential desertion of its high street following a spate of shop closures. Faced with a challenging economic climate, businesses in Devizes have endured additional hardships.
Partial closure of a crucial access route to the high street via Northgate Street, due to a kebab shop fire last November, has drastically reduced customer traffic, compounding the plight of small and independent enterprises.
Recent casualties in the local retail scene include Emporium and Expressions gift shops, along with the charity shop Scope. Remaining business owners express worries about the uncertain future.
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Richard Staker, from gaming shop Level Up, highlighted the impact of the full closure of Northgate Street after the fire: “It had a massive impact.” Despite gradual improvement, he expressed ongoing concern about the significant effects of the one-way traffic, fearing that Devizes could face a similar fate as other deserted towns.
Adding to the concerns, Ian Williams from Shamrock Linens described the current state as “very sad for the town,” noting additional challenges such as the movement of a bus stop, hindering access for shoppers with mobility issues.
The reopening of Northgate Street, initially set for March, has been postponed indefinitely, with Wiltshire Council collaborating with the owners of damaged properties to restore normality as soon as possible.
Amid ongoing challenges faced by small and medium-sized businesses nationwide, the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) emphasizes the need for effective strategies, including improved parking options and promotional tourism activities, to support them amidst rising living costs. Sam Holliday, FSB development manager for Gloucestershire and the West of England, stressed the significance of high streets for community life: “I still belong to a generation that believes the high street is the heart of the community.”
Holliday emphasized the importance of collective effort, stating, “So we’ve really got to do everything we can to be a part of that.”