Arcadia Latest - Vox Pops From the Shops

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What do current retailers think of their changing workplace?

Arcadia Developer Glenkerrin says that whilst it has already attraced the interest of a number of top brands, it is eqully interested in retaining its existing retailers. So what do these shops make of the proposals?

Specialist Ealing retailer Liz Pilgrim, of babye, is in favour of change: “Ealing is crying out for better quality shops and restaurants and plans for a new shopping centre will ultimately support and grow its local trading. The introduction of recognised brands coupled with a fresh modern look for the town centre will enable us to put Ealing back on the map. Local businesses will benefit hugely from the redevelopment because it will help to retain existing customers in addition to attracting more new shoppers. If Ealing doesn’t change soon, we will continue to see the quality of its retail offering decline and consequently our local businesses will continue to loose quality customers to other shopping centres.”

Paul Witham, Manager of Ealing Broadway Marks and Spencer store comments: “The last improvement made for Ealing’s retail centre was back in 1986.
We believe that the new proposals for developing Ealing’s shopping centre will bring positive inward investment to the town helping boost the area for shoppers as well as introducing more jobs into the community.”

Glenkerrin commissioned retail experts Jones Lang LaSalle to conduct an in-depth study of Ealing, its residents, shoppers and its retail offering. The findings make interesting reading for the future of the town.

The research shows that Ealing’s regional retail provision has slipped drastically. The town centre is currently only attracting 25 per cent of total spend from those who live in the immediate area and only 8 per cent from those living outside the area. People are travelling elsewhere to do 75 per cent of their shopping.

Since 1995 Ealing has dropped 36 places in the retail rankings with existing stores closing or moving away and new ones failing to establish themselves in Ealing.

November 2, 2007