Is trade that bad?

SOUTHPORT has been very hard hit by falling trade in and around the Town Centre and this has been exacerbated by an increase in rents along with a growing lack of support from Sefton MBC, traders have been telling us for some time now. Just weeks after a brand new business opened in the building once occupied by Waitrose and Morrisons on Tulketh Street it has had to shut down, with the Managing Director Edward Clun blaming "a complete lack of trade for its closure." The store' named Lewis's, was operated by Lewis's (Southport) Ltd. but was not connected to the Lewis's erstwhile of Liverpool City Centre, nor the John Lewis chain of department stores. Lewis's Southport Ltd. who was listed as having its registered Office in Macclesfield, was the brand name for its umbrella company Variety Shopping Ltd.and opened the doors to the store on Saturday, 23 November 2013 and them on 24 January 2014! When it opened, many hoped that it would mark a change of luck for the building which had, until then, remained close for around 7 years, and was being dubbed one of Southport's biggest eyesores. The area looked like it had been finally transformed, but already the project had fallen behind after a number of setbacks. But, "It wasn't just down to a lack of or slow trade; all our businesses are struggling and it is not surprising. Rents are too high. Sefton is blocking many of us from developing our trade with things like the parking charges and countless other issues. It is no wonder why Southport has had such a spectacular fall. I might have to close if things do not get any better. The local Council needs to stop milking Southport for all the cash and help our small businesses who are trading, or we will lose the lot. Also, locals need to start buying more from local shops and landlords should stop raising rents and putting silly restrictions in place for businesses which are using their properties. I do not want to say my business name or be identified as I feel I will lose the remaining trade I have. Yes, businesses are struggling badly in Southport and rather than avoiding them, locals, landlords and Councillors should support them and take their views on board. Even big businesses are being affected by unrealistic demands from banks, customers and government, what hope do small businesses have?" commented one local business near the Lewis's site. Sadly, it was not just that store that has disappeared over the last few weeks, with Toymaster on Lord Street closing is doors on 20 January 2014. On a bright side though, Barnetts Solicitors was saved by a fast sale to 4 buyers after the law firm went into administration, saving all 130 jobs at the Southport Business Park Office. Only a few issues back we reported that businesses are worried in North Sefton, as they see sales failing due to a lack of support from the local community. "This lack of diversity, through the ever -increasing loss of many of our small businesses is in my view destroying Sefton. It is a distressing shopping experience and it is putting off people coming in to the area, and that with the lack of support from locals who do not see the bigger picture... Well it is not surprising we are finding it hard to survive. Sefton MBC and landlords should take a look at Liverpool for ideas. Liverpool's independent shops, stores and businesses have seen a sustained rise in trade, were trade in North Sefton has tended to see a sustained fall. But many businesses in Liverpool are using the internet better and using sites like your's properly, thus getting a return. I just can't see why we can't do the same." added another small business owner from Formby. So what can be done to save the few remaining independent shops, when even big chains are pulling out? Please let us know your views by emailing us via our newsroom email address:- news24@southportreporter.com.