Traders unite in bid to revitalise Acomb

9:47am Saturday 27th October 2012 in News Photograph of the Author By Julie Hayes, julie.hayes@thepress.co.uk

Former council leader Andrew Waller, Sue Hunter of Floral Elegance, Lynn Enzor of Acomb Post Office and Janine Carter of Status Hair Design launch the Acomb Alive campaign Former council leader Andrew Waller, Sue Hunter of Floral Elegance, Lynn Enzor of Acomb Post Office and Janine Carter of Status Hair Design launch the Acomb Alive campaign

TRADERS in Acomb have established a new association to help attract people to shop in their part of York.

The Acomb Alive campaign has been set up in response to concerns from residents that the area needed a boost to bring it back to the levels that other parts of the city currently enjoy.

A mix of businesses met to discuss ideas on how to bring more commerce to the area, improve co-operation between local businesses, and put on events to promote shopping in the Front Street area.

Trevor Fenwick, chairman of Gillygate Traders, and David Cox, from the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), who had been chairman of Fossgate Traders for six years, were guest speakers at the event, which was arranged by former council leader Andrew Waller, and Sue Hunter of Floral Elegance.

They supported ideas of promoting the area by pooling advertising spend and agreed to share expertise on the best deals for energy and other supplies. They also agreed that being part of the national FSB campaign for “keeping trade local” would be helpful.

The traders intend to have a tidy up in the first week of December to encourage improvement to the appearance of shops and their displays in the run-up to Christmas. They will also hold events early next year to bring activity to the whole Front Street area.

Sue Hunter said: “It was a very positive meeting, and the support of traders for an Acomb Traders’ Association is encouraging everone to work together for the benefit of all. We hope that local residents will see what we are doing and give us their support. Some traders have been here for decades showing their commitment to Acomb, but there are concerns about high rents, and the knock-on effect that this has on business rates.”

They also voiced concerns over the recent changes in bus routes, which have disrupted the even distribution of customers to the area, and the group agreed to take up the issue with the council and bus companies.

The group will hold its next meeting on Tuesday, November 20 from 5.30pm to 6.30pm at the Acomb Gateway Centre on Front Street.

Comments(9)

kazzerkins says...
10:12am Sat 27 Oct 12

Acomb unfortunately I feel is becoming a little too "chavy" I know that's a very negative response but this is how I feel. I've lived in different parts of acomb most of my life. I can honestly say that it's the free parking at morrisons that makes my journey to the bank, boots, the butchers, barnetts, morrisons and the soon to be specsavers worth my while.
These traders have my support, but I feel the shops in acomb need to be more to what the "people" want. I'm not saying to make it like York city centre but how many charity shops and cheap shops full of "tat" does one community need? If we're going to have these shops lets put things that are actually worth buying in them!
Is it just the shops? We've had a great sporting event this year, why should've embraced this. Why was there nothing on the the green for the children to celebrate? What about the jubilee, ok the weather was bad, but apparently there was meant to be celebrations on the green that I found out after the event, come on let's get the advertising in people's faces. We could all do so much to bring acomb back to life instead of letting it look like a deprived area.
I wish you traders the best luck, and if there's more that I can do help I would love too.

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inthesticks says...
10:26am Sat 27 Oct 12

How about opening after 5pm. Apart from Morrisons it`s all closed down by tea time. The people who go to work can spend their hard earned on their way home.

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bob the builder says...
10:58am Sat 27 Oct 12

You get the shops that people use, the prominent demographic of the area use payday loan, charity, pound and budget food shops. They can't afford to travel to out of town shopping and retail parks but they type of people who are vocal and campaign for 'nice' shops can.

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Rubber Lips says...
1:44pm Sat 27 Oct 12

lets be honest its full of charity shops, bookmakers and low budget food shops, not somewhere i would choose to visit, let alone life there, acomb is dead

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quakerwood says...
3:02pm Sat 27 Oct 12

Unfortunately the Acomb shopping centre of 25 years ago which was a vibrant shopping area has been overtaken by out-of-town shopping. Once all of the double yellow lines went down it was the begining of the end. I don't believe that the area will ever recover. It is my opinion that over the next ten to fifteen years the parade of shops on York Road, opposite the end of Carr Lane, will all disappear with the properties reverting to private dwellings from which they were originally converted in to shops. Sad I know but evolution!

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gerry1962 says...
6:35pm Sat 27 Oct 12

I actually think that Front Street is OK - there are a couple of shops that are empty - but one is supposed to be opening soon (it's being done up but it's taking a while). It's Acomb Court and beyond up to the Regent that need a makeover, and I LIKE the people in Front Street PO a LOT - they are very helpful.

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yorkborn66 says...
10:52pm Sat 27 Oct 12

I lived In Acomb for over 25 Years, lived away for 20 years but still love to come back and shop here.
I find it amusing when the traffic wardens on their mopeds are waiting to ticket anyone in sight.
One poster mentioned shops staying open after 5pm that would be really good.
Remove the unnecessary double yellow lines and long live the traders of Acomb.

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Frodo Baggins says...
5:36pm Sun 28 Oct 12

If they want shopping to improve in Acomb the rates need reducing to encourage businesses to invest in the area. As has been said, there are too many charity/low budget shops there now and unless this changes things will only get worse. I'm not saying do away with these shops but lets get something in there to encourage all sections of the community.

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yorkborn66 says...
11:12pm Fri 2 Nov 12

Changed my mind – watched owner of the greengrocers opposite Carr lane, shout at a customer because he asked why he was not displaying prices on his fruit and veg. the customer was told that the owner was changing the stands, the customer told him that the stands where the same as three weeks ago and had not changed. The owner shouted at the customer grasped his shopping and told him to get out of the shop. No tills on point of sale and no idea of prices to the customer – trading standards informed.

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