North Shropshire market towns are set to be developed as night-time entertainment hubs, with people encouraged into their centres to enjoy themselves in cafes, bars and restaurants.
Shropshire Council officers claim a vibrant evening atmosphere will help towns recover from the recession – particularly if people feel safe on the streets.
And they are calling for shops to stay open later to prevent places becoming ghost towns after everything shuts up at 5pm. It is part of a big countywide debate initiated by the council. The aim is to encourage “a thriving and safe evening and night-time economy” in all the county’s market towns.
The council’s consultation document declares: “We aim to develop town centres so they remain active and vibrant throughout the day, evening and into the night.”
It says people feel safer when streets are lively and calls for a concerted effort to prevent binge drinking, crime and disorder. A crackdown on litter from takeaways and people urinating in the street, better CCTV, more night buses and improved lighting are also on the cards.
But the plan – out for comment until February 22 – is attracting a mixed reaction.
Lincoln McMullan, chairman of Ellesmere Chamber of Commerce, said he was all in favour. “Anything that brings people into the town and spending money can only be good for business,” he said.
“We don’t want Ellesmere becoming a ghost town in the evenings. Just like everywhere else, we’ve been suffering from the recession but I reckon we are surviving better than most because we have so much to offer, including excellent shops.
“And more good news is that the old town hall, which has been empty for some time, is now due to open up again with bars and restaurants.” He added: “We get the odd bit of rowdy behaviour but I’m inclined to believe the longer drinking hours have been better for us.”
But Mike Bates, of Whitchurch Chamber of Trade, was dubious about Shropshire Council’s proposals. “I’m not opposed to developing the night-time economy but if the council wants to spend money, it should first look at helping market towns become more profitable in the daytime,” he said. “Things are very difficult for us in the recession and traders will be most reluctant to stay open into the evening and pay the extra wages.”
What do you think about developing the night-time economy? Contact the North Shropshire Chronicle on 01743 283327 or email jamespugh@shropshirestar.co.uk
By James Pugh