Hopes that a major retailer would be moving into the vacant BHS store on Chapel Street have been dashed.

According to workmen in the building at the moment it is being prepared for a short lease.

The new occupants will be selling fireworks and Christmas goods.

It's better than the building standing empty and going derelict! At least it will provide some jobs for local people in the run up to Xmas.

With the emergence of online shopping I'm not sure how many "major retailers" are planning on opening new High Street stores these days.

Relentless negativity from your local news. Glass half empty

What where you hoping for, a Southport branch of Harrods? Cheap tat. About right for this town.

It's time to accept that high street's everywhere are finished in there current form. Houses are being built on green field sites which most people find undesirable, so more flats and apartments for young people and first time buyers on high street's, just look at lord street and all the empty second and first floors. Good mix of uses could save high streets and help the housing problem.

Originally Posted by crocodile35

It's time to accept that high street's everywhere are finished in there current form. Houses are being built on green field sites which most people find undesirable, so more flats and apartments for young people and first time buyers on high street's, just look at lord street and all the empty second and first floors. Good mix of uses could save high streets and help the housing problem.

Your a bit late on the above shop opportunities, the Conservatives have already acted with permitted development rights in 2013 and 2017.

As to high streets are finished the percentage of goods bought online is still below 20%.

A scruffy mile long street full of charity, coffee shops and pavement tat patrolled by over zealous traffic wardens is not attractive.

Originally Posted by crocodile35

It's time to accept that high street's everywhere are finished in there current form. Houses are being built on green field sites which most people find undesirable, so more flats and apartments for young people and first time buyers on high street's, just look at lord street and all the empty second and first floors. Good mix of uses could save high streets and help the housing problem.

I've been saying this for years. I know that PD rights have been introduced to make conversion from retail to residential much easier but no one seems to be acting on it. Someone somewhere managed to persuade people that converted mills and warehouses were incredibly fashionable to live in, why can't the same be done for the space above retail in town centres? Lord Street's beautiful buildings should be very desirable if the flats above were done to a high standard and made the most of original features.

No major high street retailer would invest in the this town now.

Originally Posted by Darkside

I've been saying this for years. I know that PD rights have been introduced to make conversion from retail to residential much easier but no one seems to be acting on it. Someone somewhere managed to persuade people that converted mills and warehouses were incredibly fashionable to live in, why can't the same be done for the space above retail in town centres? Lord Street's beautiful buildings should be very desirable if the flats above were done to a high standard and made the most of original features.

The developers and builders don't want to do small developments, long gone are the days of small local builders it is all in the hands of the big national and multinational companies.

Originally Posted by donkey22

What where you hoping for, a Southport branch of Harrods? Cheap tat. About right for this town.

Move then.

Originally Posted by local

Your a bit late on the above shop opportunities, the Conservatives have already acted with permitted development rights in 2013 and 2017.

As to high streets are finished the percentage of goods bought online is still below 20%.

A scruffy mile long street full of charity, coffee shops and pavement tat patrolled by over zealous traffic wardens is not attractive.

Percentage of goods sold online..... depends which country! 79% in the States and they range depending on what type of goods from 30% to 60% over here we are the biggest on line spenders in Europe. So get your FACTS RIGHT.

Originally Posted by local

Your a bit late on the above shop opportunities, the Conservatives have already acted with permitted development rights in 2013 and 2017.

As to high streets are finished the percentage of goods bought online is still below 20%.

A scruffy mile long street full of charity, coffee shops and pavement tat patrolled by over zealous traffic wardens is not attractive.

I agree. There are many potential business people locally but many view the overheads as a no-starter. For instance the business rates. Business rates are calculated based on the rental value of a property, which in turn is based on the size of the property and its usage. For instance, the size of the old Thornton shop on Eastbank Street, which is a very small shop in comparison to some of the others. Its rateable value is £35,000 and its business rates are approximately £16,000 per year. Add to that service charges of water and electricity, and a staff member's wages of say £12,000 per year, it means that a very small shop owner will have to find over £30,000 per year (or about £600 per week) before making any profit. With the number of shoppers on the high street today, and the amount of profit made per item, it does not make it an attractive investment. On the other hand - if the shop was made into a very small flat, the Council tax payable would be around £800 per year?? The council allow one year tax free at present, but that should be set at an escalating charge in accordance with the business gained. This would encourage more people to become involved in business and create a more vibrant shopping area. It is not the internet that is to blame - if people can buy items when they decide they need them, they prefer to do so, but shops must be competitive to allow this to happen.

Originally Posted by Alikado

The developers and builders don't want to do small developments, long gone are the days of small local builders it is all in the hands of the big national and multinational companies.

Yep, and that's the way it is at present...unless pray someone can come up with an alternative.

I bet as soon as the Aldi on Liverpool Rd opens it will be CHOCKER!!!

Visited more than likely by the same people blogging on here?

Originally Posted by paulollie

Percentage of goods sold online..... depends which country! 79% in the States and they range depending on what type of goods from 30% to 60% over here we are the biggest on line spenders in Europe. So get your FACTS RIGHT.

These facts,