I was saddened to learn that North Bar Beauty, who trade in St Mary’s Arcade, are to close after they were unable to meet an agreement regarding their lease.
Business owner Carrie Robson posted on her social media that it was with a heavy heart that after 3 years of trading she is to close her salon on 31 March.
Mrs. Robson said;
“I was unable to agree terms with the landlord. They were not able to offer anything other than a 3 year lease and were not prepared to discuss a rolling yearly lease.”
“What upsets me is we could end up with lots of empty units again in St Mary’s Arcade.”
Her departure leaves yet another dent in Beverley’s Georgian Quarter, a scheme hatched by the North Bar Traders Association to make that part of Beverley a lifestyle destination.
North Bar Traders Association were awarded a grant of £10,000 when the plan was conceived, with the chairman David Bird saying;
“There are 42 consumer-facing businesses and, collectively, we pretty much offer what any out-of-town experience does.”
“Local people and shoppers need to realise that supporting streets like ours means they get the best choice and best value for money, in the best locations.”
So roll the clock forward three years and what has been achieved: the answer is nothing.
Since it was launched more businesses have closed and Mr. Bird’s attentions have switched to forming a relationship with Flemingate, a development that he actively opposed.
The Georgian Quarter project was started with a notable sum of public money and has fallen flat on its face as the money was spent on signage, while all the momentum from the launch day was quickly lost.
It is heart-breaking to see people lose their businesses through no fault of their own. After discovering North Bar Beauty was going to close, you can only wonder why the North Bar Traders Association are not doing more to help preserve the independents.
Beverley’s Georgian Quarter is a disaster; you don’t have to take my word, for it go and ask the people who trade in that part of the town.
They will tell you there is no communication or joined-up thinking, the things that were supposed to help generate footfall.
It grates on me, as the money gifted to the Georgian Quarter came from normal, everyday people like you and me, yet in my view was used in an irresponsible way.
As for Mrs. Robson, she has found another role working for De Lacy Spa. I for one would like to wish her the very best of luck for the future and I hope her clients continue to support her.
Yes I’m afraid the launch had too much spent on it but it was put to a vote which not everyone agreed with,too much spent on web site and model agency when afew of us had our own models we could have used.
Sadly I recall seeing many leaflets that were simply over printed and still on counters even though they were months out of date. I think as they were given grants a full break down of what was spent and how is was spent should be in the public domain. – Its a dead duck sadly, and thats coming from the people who trade in that part of town.
As an ex trader & a member of the NBTA problems are due to traders not attending meetings and backing the scheme sufficiently. Many reluctantly left it to others to organise events. Sitting on their backsides doing nothing to help. Only a handful of businesses pushed to get things achieved. It was like pulling teeth to get business owners to join in. Those that did worked tirelessly to get things off the ground. Yes probably mistakes were made along the way. The Portas money was given as an aid to the area which has seen footfall drop year on year. A case of many folk not wanting walk to North Bar. Use them or lose them attitude and they have paid the price. Knock it all you like. I could not give a fig.
do not worry – very similar scheme now being backed by FG as part of their planning to get smaller units. BGQ is the perfect blue print of how not to do things and how to spend money on things that were simply not needed. The closure of Rolandos, the stop start of the Rose & Crown and the long closure of Panizi have seen a big decline in the numbers of people there.
Its the same old story, same people being given the grants to run the same old projects that are just given new fancy names. Your old store has been empty now for ages, and there are plenty more popping up in the town that are up for rent.
People are trying to bring new ideas (see link below) and new indie businesses but people living in the town centre are objecting and fighting change that is inevitable really.
http://www.hu17.net/2016/12/14/allcock/
As regards comments there was ‘no communication’. The main players in the NBTA informed folks by email. There was plenty of info going around and minutes of meetings held.Obviously some did not bother to read them.There are a full set of accounts for all purchases from Balloons and banners onwards and have been audited. So what would you have done to help an area to increase its footfall? Never heard any suggestions from you?The word apathy springs to mind and also sour grapes on some traders.
The GQ name is now well established and referred to by many authorities. Vhey, ERYC.
The intentions to get the area name over has been achieved. It’s upto existing business to pull together and make it work if not the area will see further decline.
The NBTA brought a lot of new visitors and publicity to the town. The launch day was a huge success. The art day brought thousands of people. The NBTA raised 3k off its own bat in contributions by a lot of the traders initially chipping in. The problem was they did not want to pay for other ideas, a good web site by a professional team.
The problem for The GQ area is its is neglected by various groups.ERYC don’t really help much or the Town Council. If things happen it’s usually in Saturday market or Wednesday market.The only time I have seen it extremely busy was on the day of the North Bar light switch on in 2011 and the Festival of Christmas when the council finally allowed stalls in the middle of the road last Christmas.DB has therefore been very unfairly critised by yourself. He took on the role as I personally could not do the Chairmanship position. The businesses that closed are due to many reasons but a lot are due to rediculous high rents and business rates or being badly run and of course lack of footfall which was the main reason of the NBTA being formed.New business’s come and think they can make it then find they can not. The White Elephant gate is a fine example of a new struggling shopping area and that’s only 2 years old. Look at the comments on Tripadvisor!As regards My old place it will be a private area linked to the apartment. Shops are struggling due to Internet buying on the increase. I was very fortunate to sell the business & most of its stock. I laughed all the way to the bank. There are now over 149 establishments selling food and drink.,competing in a very tough market. It’s unsustainable. North bar tea rooms a perfect example. Sky high rent.As regards the arcade the rents there are some of the lowest in the town but many have struggled to stay. Only well established business seem to survive there. We see them come we see them go. I would suggest the next time a meeting is arranged for the GQ area you attend and find out how the traders are doing. That’s assuming they hold meetings still. Bike shop cafe guy may know? The empty stores no doubt will get filled up they always do. Some by nationals and possibly by independent shops or businesses, some will make it but many won’t. Any one for yogurt( it’s cold outside)
I can not see what the local authorities that are publicly funded should be responsible for making the project a success.
While retail is important I do not see other private sector’s who operate in the town being given public money to create incentives to boost their business.
This project should never have taken place as it just divides what is already a relatively small town into even smaller zones and as you point out churn of businesses in the GQ mean things change often leading to no continuity.
The way to grow the footfall in that area is to close the bar even if its just at weekends and do what they donw this year at the festival of Christmas extend the market or what ever event.
It seems the towns events are now reaching Flemingate yet often miss out Wednesday Market and North Bar within. Integration not segregation.