More than half of businesses in the High Street who responded to a survey have said that they are satisfied with the redevelopment of the High Street.
In the survey conducted by Coun Rita Dent, Portfolio Holder for the Town Centre, 58% of respondents answered that they were “satisfied overall” with the work to redevelop the High Street.
The survey also asked businesses about the need for a redevelopment. When asked about the importance of the redevelopment to attracting new businesses to Bromsgrove, more than 57% of respondents agreed that it was “essential”.
Over 67% of respondents indicated that the repair work to drains on the High Street had helped to tackle the issuing of flooding.
On top of this, a clear 96% said that they felt it was important that the Council consults businesses on the High Street on the redevelopment.
Conservative-led Bromsgrove District Council has invested around £2 million in the redevelopment of the High Street. The work has included the redesign and repaving of the street, the repair and replacement of some drains, and the refurbishment of Clintons Cards, and Prezzo. New stalls were purchased to accommodate the market, which has seen a marked increase in stall applications.
As a result of the work, coffee shop Coffee2 was purchased by a local businessman, and footwear retailer ShoeZone opened at the top of the street.
Coun Rita Dent, Portfolio Holder for the Town Centre, said:
“The positive response from local businesses shows that the ongoing redevelopment work has been a success. New businesses are opening all the time, and the applications to set up market stalls have shot up. Business owners spoke to me about minor and specific concerns they had, and I will be keeping in contact with them to help resolve these issues. Nonetheless, I am pleased that the redevelopment has the support of businesses in the town, and I will continue to work with them to produce a High Street that everyone in Bromsgrove can be proud of.”
Breakdown of the answers to the survey questions
Q1. Do you feel that a redeveloped High Street is essential to attracting new businesses to Bromsgrove?
Yes: 57% No: 33% Unsure: 10%
Q2. Do you feel that the repair work to drains on the High Street has helped to tackle the issue of flooding?
Yes: 67% No: 12% Unsure: 21%
Q3. Do you feel that it is important that the Council consults businesses on the High Street on the redevelopment?
Yes: 96% No: 4% Unsure: 0%
Q4. Are you satisfied overall with the work to redevelop the High Street?
Yes: 58% No: 29% Unsure: 13%