Islington calls in retail expert Mary Portas
By abi_silvester | Wednesday, December 14, 2011, 23:06
Islington Council has called upon retail guru Mary Portas to visit the borough's shopping centres and share her expertise on how to keep them vibrant.
-
What will Mary make of Islington's current shopping offer?
The Portas Review into the future of Britain's high streets, published yesterday, calls for councils and businesses to work together to rescue high streets. While many parts of Islington are already successful, established shopping zones, the council is working on developing more local retail destinations - notably at Archway - and is working to improve the Nag's Head shopping centre in Holloway.
Work and investment already under way includes:
* A "This is Archway" shop local campaign and the Nag's Head Christmas extravaganza, which attracted an estimated 9,000 people
* support and funding for the Angel AIM business improvement district, in the famous Angel area
* regeneration of Whitecross Street by supporting the rebirth of its historic market, now one of London's most successful street-food markets. Support for other Islington markets including recent craft fairs in Chapel Market
* "Resident roamer" parking scheme so people can easily pop into their local shops
* £2million of council funding to regenerate Archway town centre. This includes replacing old shopfronts and improving public space
Cllr Catherine West, leader of Islington Council, said: "We're on the side of residents and know how important our town centres are for jobs and quality of life.
"Because of this we have strong support for Islington's town centres and high streets, from paying for town centre managers to offering free workshops for people interested in setting up market stalls.
"I'd like to invite Mary Portas to visit and see what we're doing, and of course we'd be very interested to hear any additional advice or tips she might have."
Comments
I would like to know what Mary thinks about all the chains that are encroaching on Islington's shopping areas and the number of independents that are being shut down. So many businesses have closed in Upper St, Holloway Road and around in the past year (think the Gaff, little boutiques like Laura J shutting down on Camden Passage) and more branches of Costa and chain clothing stores are moving in. Would she see this as a good thing for the local economy? I certainly think it's a sad development and wonder how she could reverse the trend.
By tikka_massala at 14:13 on 15/12/11
Report