Survey Results

WE LOVE WORKSOP HIGH STREET Survey Results Summary June 2020

In April 2020, the ‘We Love Worksop High Street’ campaign was launched. The campaign was launched to find out how local people shop, visit and spend time in Worksop. We want to understand what we can do to improve and protect the Town Centre, including the Priory Shopping Centre.

Information about the campaign, including a survey and pledge form to support were sent in the post to local residents in Worksop and via email to those registered to our updates list. A website, www.love-worksop.com, has also been set up, which is the central hub of the campaign. This summary shows feedback from the local community.

Since launching the campaign, we have received survey responses from 112 local people.

www.love-worksop.com

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Local people want to shop in the town centre What is your relationship to Worksop?

What would make you visit the Town Centre more often?

How often do you visit the High Street?

visitor 3%

Number of respondents

30 worker 13%

resident 84%

Follow-up action: Engage businesses and retailers directly

Where do you do your food shop?

Iceland 33

All Shops 1

Aldi 30

Co-Op 1

Asda 27

Fair Square 1

Morrisons 24

Farm Shop 1

Sainsbury 15

Half Way 1

Tesco 13

Ho lland and Barrett 1

B&M 8

Home Bargains 1

Farm Foods 6

Lane Stores 1

Market 5 Butchers 4 Online 3 Independents 2 Wilco's 2

M&S 1 Priory Grocers 1 Trader 1 £1 Pound 1

Discount retailers, Aldi and Iceland, hold 34% of the market share from respondents to the survey.

Iceland, which adjoins the Priory Shopping Centre in the Town Centre was the most popular place to go food shopping.

2

2nd Green space and public seating

3rd More pop-up events

4th More food and drink options

5th Parking and access improvements

6th Flexible workspaces and community spaces

15

0

Responses came overwhelmingly from local residents.

This is likely to be because the campaign was via letter drop to the town centre and surrounds, and many businesses and offices were closed due to Covid-19.

1st Experience focused retailers

less than once a week

1-2 times a week

3-4 times a week

5+ times a week

The average number of shops visited in one trip was 4.

These shoppers also have wider economic impact on the town centre. 100% of locals who shopped at Iceland, noted they visit more than one shop when they come into town.

On average, Worksop’s Iceland shoppers visit 50% more shops than the average Worksop shopper.

‘Experience focused retailers’ received the most votes and 22% of respondents who wanted to see more ‘experience-focused retailers’ mentioned bringing in named or ‘quality’ retailers. Both independents and big-named brands were welcomed.

Would you visit more often if there was a particular shop?

Marks & Spencer 23

Primark 15

Delicatessen 5 Food store 4

What brings you to the High Street?

Shops 39% Restaurants/Cafes 20% Leisure 11%

Public Services 11%

Work 8% Bank 5%

Market 3%

Cinema 1% Pub 1%

Solicitors 1%

The majority of locals visit the High Street for their regular shopping. 78% of respondents noted more than one reason to visit the High Street.

73% of Iceland shoppers stated they visit more than one shop to do food shopping, illustrating a keenness to shop around.

Cafes 3

Asda 1

Handbag Shop 1

River Island 1

HMV 1

Sandwich Shops 1 Starbucks 1

Bakery 1

Handmade Items 1

Bowling 1

Hobbycraft 1

Sainsbury’s 1

Clothing Shops 3

Bookshop 1

Restaurants 3

Chiltern Mills 1

Homeware Shops 1

Toy Shop 3

Craft Shops 1

Ikea 1

The Gift Company 1

Joules 1

TK Maxx 1

Fruit and Veg 3 Shoe Shop 3

Debenhams 2

Fishmonger 2

Independents 2

Cocktail Bars 1

House of Fraser 1

Craft Supplies 1

Information Centre 1

DVD and CD Stores 1

KFC 1

Department Store 1

John Lewis 2

Entertainment Shop 1

Lady’s Clothing 1

Topshop 2

Farmers’ Market 1

Music Stores 1

The Range 2

Fish Restaurant 1

Pottery Cafe 1

Men’s Clothing 2

The Body Shop 2 Waterstones 2

Estee Lauder 1

Fast Food 1

Greenwoods 1

63% of respondents stated known ‘big brand’ retailers and 45% of respondents stated a ‘food store’ or specific retailer would make them spend more time in the Town Centre.

Model Shop 1 Next Home 1

Schuh 1

Takeaways 1 TJ Hughes 1 Top Man 1

Waitrose 1

Warren James 1

Woolworths 1

Pubs 1

www.love-worksop.com

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WELCOME TO WORKSOP

To pull all the feedback together, we have created a map, which shows the locals’ ‘Vision for Worksop Town Centre’. The map includes quotes and imagery of what those who engaged in our campaign suggested or felt was important to them. Locals are passionate about supporting and improving their town centre.

WORKSOP train station 500m “We could attract out of town shoppers who could stay in our hotels.”

“It is a fabulous place to live and work with lots to offer to residents and visitors. We do not celebrate it enough.”

Sandhill Lake

Worksop Cricket and Sports Club “Maybe we could have a children's area.”

lace Bridg ep

“Small shops are the bread and butter of our community.”

“There are many empty shop units that need utilising in town and we need to encourage local people, in particular, to support their local town centre.”

“The canal could be a feature with cafes, bars and restaurants by it.

It’s great for walks and bike rides.”

“Find tenants for the local pubs and lets have good restaurants there.”

“Pedestrianisation works well and should always be attractively landscaped.”

“We should encourage shoppers and visitors to come into town.”

“Create public toilets at the Priory Shopping Centre”

“We could have green zones to sit and have coffee with friends.”

“I would like to see some sort of shuttle bus to transport the older generation from The Priory Centre to the bus station - to help with heavy shopping.”

The priory shopping centre

“Make more shops accessible for disabled shoppers.”

“I like the Christmas lights switch-on, it’s a feel good factor for parents and children.”

“We need to bring supermarkets in to the town centre.”

The Canch

“There’s more happiness in town, such as people enjoying live music”

“"We would like flexible workspace and community spaces".

bridge place

“Free car parking would be a major draw, especially for families.”

“I’d love to see craft shops and markets selling handmade items.”

“Let’s keep the library in the town centre.”

“It’d be nice to have more alfresco dining.”

“Worksop has vast cultural heritage and would do well to embrace this to bring more tourism and business to our area.”

“It's important to have a place where people without cars can shop and meet.”

“It’s much more interesting to walk around the town, especially on market days.

We could make the market bigger and better.”

“It’d be fun to have a festival with flags and bunting and summer activities.”

trader clock

“We could have a farmers’ market.”

WORKSOP priory church 350m “We should have a couple of big fast food places and bowling, skating or trampolining to complement the cinema.”

“We go out of town for products that you can't get on the high street.”

“Pop up events are always well attended and seem to bring an excitement to the town.”

savoy cinema 100m

“We must tackle the homeless and crime problems.”

town hall 100m

“I’d be keen for local exhibitions.”

What local people told us they want

4. Parking and Toilets

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1. Mobility 2. Response to Retail Parks 3. Restoring Worksop and its Heritage 4. Parking and Loos 5. Experience-Focused Retailers 6. Socialising and Social Issues.

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Action: Deliver new public toilets alongside the Priory Shopping Centre improvements.

The number one reason for the need to keep the Town Centre thriving was mobility. 39% of respondents noted that not all locals had the mobility to travel out of town, which is why it was so important to provide all essential retail in the Town Centre.

12% of respondents noted the need to have a supermarket in the Priory Shopping Centre.

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35% of respondents commented that out of town shopping centres were damaging to the high street and/or preferred to shop locally.

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They [out of town retail parks] are killing the high street, along with online shopping.

Local resident

Worksop has more than enough of out of town developments. The proposed Lidl development is not needed.

Local Resident

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I suppose they serve their purpose but they take people away from the town centre.

Local Resident

3. Restoring Worksop and its Heritage

Many locals commented on the number of years they have lived or worked in Worksop.

Many respondents (17%) felt Worksop had lots to offer and a rich heritage, many using the canal as an example. The older buildings were highlighted and 20% of respondents commented that refreshing shop fronts or bringing in more investment to the Town Centre would improve its attractiveness.

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Worksop is a great town, it has a history, a good market and an excellent high street.

Local Resident

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The market was also seen as an important part of the Town Centre. 21% of locals mentioned improving the market as a key method to generate more activity on the High Street.

It is a fabulous place to live and work with lots to offer to residents and visitors. We do not celebrate it enough.

Local Resident

32% of participants mentioned the importance of filling empty shops in the Town Centre as a priority.

“ “

We need to bring supermarkets in to the town centre.

Local resident

The recent loss of a food store in the Priory Shopping Centre was seen as a major loss to the Town Centre.

“ “

It’s still nice to have a selection of shops in one place.

Local resident

“

30% of respondents suggested that retail parks and developments were not places to shop for everyday goods.

Respondents commented that out of town developments were appropriate for furniture stores, DIY centres and to purchase bulkier items.

17% of respondents mentioned that Worksop was once a buzzing market town and they would like to restore it to its former glory.

Locals want both independent, specialist shops as well as big brand chains. 39% of locals were keen to see more variety in shops such as florists, delicatessens and farm shops. Lowering business rates and rents were suggested as good ways to encourage start-ups and new businesses.

Many locals noted that the empty shops create a negative atmosphere and one suggested covering empty shop windows decoratively.

2. Response to Retail Parks

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5. Experience-Focused Retailers

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It’s important to have a place where people without cars can shop and meet.

Local resident

The Priory Shopping Centre is seen as the centre of town

It was sad when M&S food store closed.

Because it added an additional good quality food store with more variety and attracted people to visit and shop.

Local Resident

6. Socialising and Social Issues

“ “

1. Mobility

“

I would like to see some sort of shuttle bus to transport the older generation from The Priory Centre to the bus station - to help with heavy shopping.

Local business owner

I support the High Street and the Priory Centre (as they are amazing!)

Local business owner

These themes and feedback were unprompted

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When weighing up out of town and town centre shopping, free parking was mentioned by 25% of respondents and Public toilets were also requested by 17% of shoppers. This feedback suggested that the shopping experience would not be so rushed if they had these two amenities.

The survey had open-ended questions and the responses highlighted six key themes.

Improve Priory Shopping area to include a supermarket.

Local resident

Many locals commented on the social element to shopping local. 19% of respondents commented on running into neighbours and getting to know café owners and shopkeepers. Some locals highlighted existing local events that they liked such as the Christmas light switch-on and suggested more pop-up events. 8% of people want more leisure facilities to entertain all ages. Ideas included a bowling alley, ice-skating and trampolining centre to be located near the cinema.

32% of locals felt there was a social problem of homeless people sleeping in doorways and anti-social behaviour such as petty theft. Many suggested increasing the police presence to overcome this. A respondent mentioned they felt out of town developments and shopping centres were better at being able to privately manage security.

www.love-worksop.com

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Next Steps We are committed to promoting Worksop High Street and the Town Centre as a place to shop, visit and enjoy. The level of involvement from the local community and the survey feedback highlighted support for protecting the Town Centre and improving the Priory Centre.

Worksop was once a bustling market town and we want to restore that.

We have really enjoyed reading everyone’s suggestions and have taken your ideas on-board.

We are: Supporting local business owners get up and running again

Putting up new decorative window vinyls on available shops

Community Initiatives we are launching: Hand-washing point Shoppers are invited to pop into the Priory Shopping Centre to wash their hands, sanitise or just come in for a chat.

Get social We are now on Twitter. Follow us for news about the High Street, local businesses and events in and around the Priory Shopping Centre.

Follow us - @love-worksop

Take a unit Have a great idea for a new shop? Looking for a base to sell your crafts or create a meeting space for local events or groups?

We want to hear from you. We’ve got a lovely empty unit, which we will give to you for a month.

Send us a business plan and we’ll work with you to make it a reality!

www.love-worksop.com 8

Looking at ways to encourage entrepreneurship in Worksop such as our empty unit competition.