I went along to the public debate about our local shops last Tuesday at Melrose Hall. There was a reasonable attendance; the meeting was started by Jackie Hall (Hoylake Residents Assoc) who had invited Esther McVey along to contribute. Whilst Esther McVey is a candidate MP for Wirral West, her attendance was non-political, I gather her work involves her consulting upon marketing strategies.
Local councillor Gerry Ellis offered his views about what Wirral Council does/can do to promote Hoylake.
Residents, local business owners, shop-keepers and bar owners attended. I gather that there is a local chamber of trade but a last minute emergency stopped their spokesperson attending.
I took some notes and publish them here only for discussion rather than for a record of the meeting. I’ve tried to break them down into groups. These points are not my own opinions – I’ll comment after you have!
Shops, Bars & Offices
- Empty premises should at least be made to look more inviting
- Having offices in Market Street still brings visitors to Hoylake
- There could be a market for conferences in Hoylake but there needs to be more facilities
- If local bars are not able to stay open later then people will go to either West Kirby or Heswall – adversley affecting the local economy
- Perhaps multiple businesses could share costs and rent a building such as the empty Jon David building.
- We need a supermarket to attract shoppers
- We need more specialist shops to attract shoppers
- We need an upmarket store such as Waitrose to attract shoppers
- There is limited accommodation for overnight stays
- Local churches offer services such as refreshments, halls to hire to various events, etc
Transport & Parking
- Bus services are poorly timed
- It was pointed out we do have 2 train stations
- Market Street parking is taken up by shop workers – it should be kept free for visitors
- We do have a large free car park next to Hoylake station, but it’s never more than half full.
- Car park in Charles Rd is taken up all day by train users who drive in from neighbouring villages.
Local Events
- Lifeboat Day attracts visitors but the focus is the RNLI and not Hoylake.
- Events on Market Street are needed to attract visitors to the shopping area.
- Could Hoylake make more of the activities that occur on the beach such as para-karting, bird watching, horse riding and walking?
- Could Hoylake have a regular market day?
- Plans are being made for a Christmas Lights display
Next Actions
- Volunteer locals to form a group to investigate ideas for promoting Hoylake
- Local chamber of trade to also formulate ideas/plans
So there’s my potted version of some of the points raised – I’ll correct/update as needed.
But how about you? What are your thoughts, ideas and suggestions? Please do leave a comment below.
An interesting read, all very accurate points.
Good Points made. at the meeting. Agree that Hoylake needs a “centre” or focal point, or perhaps a couple for different themes / types (Shops or Restaurants). Also Hoylake needs an image to address the question of “why go to Hoylake”. Having said that there is a large local residential community around the shops – do they shop locally, if not why not.
To make businesses thrive we have to attract more people to spend money. The great thing about Hoylake is that there are so many things to offer, but we just don’t make enough of them. I had a go at listing all the great unconventional things that Hoylake has to boast about, and it makes you realise what a unique place we have:
British Open Golf venue, Lifeboat Station, coastal walks/cycling/horse riding, national para-karting and sand yachting, sailing, kite flying, spectacular views, migrating seabirds and waders, Viking history, King William’s departure point to Ireland, summer seaside resort, petrified forest, ship wrecks, James Bond, The Coral, Cynthia Lennon Beatles connection.
I’m sure there are more. There’s also the more conventional things – historic architecture; traditional high street; wide variety of CAMRA pubs, bars, restaurants; music and dance centres.
There must be enough there to create a really strong brand to promote to visitors on regional and even national/overseas markets (especially with the golf). Then build on that by putting small amounts of investment into organising/promoting events, markets, festivals that locals can get involved with and be proud of.
John do you know how to get involved with the volunteer group you mention?
Hi Matt
Thanks for your comments – I’ve emailed you some info.
John
I lived in Marylebone High Street in London during the early-mid 90s, when many shops closed. A few of the empty shops were rented out on short term contracts at a very low rate, local businesses shared the bill, and a few of the shops were converted into contemporary art galleries, others into startup shop opportunities for small businesses who went on to rent ‘proper’ shops when they knew they had a viable business. This drew in people from all round and attracted the interest of a couple of major shop brands. Now Marylebone is very successful, and in part due to creative initiatives like this. The businesses who collaborated to make it happen are still reaping the rewards. Likewise, docklands developments in London were triggered in the early days by the presence of art and cultural venues and events. I know Hoylake is not London, but… just a thought.
Here’s my two pennies worth of initial ideas off the top of my head, in any old order:
1. Sports festival. Not just golf and beach/sea related activities but also running, football, rugby, tennis,etc. Just look at the popularity of last weeks Hoylake 10K with 690 entrants. Difficult to organise perhaps but how about a running race along Market Street… the annual Hoylake Mile (or whatever). Liverpool manage it with their hugely popular Santa Dash. Cinder Path is another option. Maybe do it at night?
2. Frost Fair. Actually Chester Zoo use that phrase but if it was possible to hire a temporary ice rink and locate it in a car park for a week or two that’d bring in some paying visitors.
3. Hoylake Music Festival. It seemed to me that the Oxjam event earlier this year brought visitors to Hoylake so why not have our very own annual musical event covering all sorts of music and performing arts? Venues don’t just have to be the pubs and bars.
4. We’ve got plenty of churches in Hoylake. Any merit in some form of combined event?
5. Wine Fair. Wirral already has a very popular food fair but maybe there’s some merit in a wine weekend or similar?
6. Grow Your Own Day. We’ve got a popular allotment site, a great Hoylake In Bloom team so what can be done to create an event related to those activities?
7. Photo Day. There are some really good local photographers around so why not have a photo event. Over in Liverpool, a group of photographers have been taking portraits for free in the bombed out church – I gather it’s been very popular.
8. Street Dancing. As we’ve got two very popular dance schools in Hoylake is there any merit in a street dancing event in Market Street? That type of dancing seems popular enough on Britains Got Talent. Maybe related to 3 above.
9. Guided walks. I think this has been mentioned before. We must have enough local history for a guided walk day or similar.
How’s that for starters …hopefully one of them isn’t totally potty!
John
Hi John
I’m delighted to read the comments and ideas from yourself and others about revitalising the shops in Market Street and Hoylake in general. I note that Matt asked how he could become involved with our group and that you have sent him some information. If Matt could manage it, he would be very welcome to join us at our next meeting on Tuesday 10 November at 7.30 p.m. in Vanilla Lounge, Market Street (Kate, the owner, kindly allows us free use of one of her rooms for our meetings).
This invitation extends also to anyone else with an interest in Hoylake’s future who would like to share their ideas with us and join in our endeavours. Initially, we would like to open up some of the empty shops for exhibitions, workshops, crafts, etc. in a similar way to other towns across the country. Our objective here would be to increase the footfall in Market Street and encourage a variety of potential shop owners to move in.
Esther McVey is to attend this meeting on Tuesday, 10 November to provide information on formally constituting our group so that we can apply for grants, etc. to help us to open up the shops and also put on events throughout the year.
Please come and join us!
Celia
There is an interesting document for consultation on the council’s website on Local Development Framework Evidence Base – Strategy for Retail, Town Centres and Commercial Leisure:
http://democracy.wirral.gov.uk/ecSDDisplay.aspx?NAME=SD416&ID=416&RPID=194919&sch=doc&cat=12848&path=12848
It doesn’t make happy reading for Hoylake I am afraid which is basically seen as a failing town centre and needing to be downgraded to a ‘district centre’ with work needed to get it back on its feet.
Well worth a read.
I went to the “Hoylake Village Life” meeting the 12th Jan, also at Melrose Hll. Is this Village Life a development from this initiative or another group keen to save Hoylake, surely there should be one focussed development team, that has the Council involved, since the Council should be using OUR money to develop Hoylake anyway!
Hoylake Village Life is indeed the group that was formed as a result of these discussions in October 2009: our meeting at the Melrose Hall on Friday was in some ways a very symbolic one since that was the place where the idea to tackle the issues surrounding the empty shops began in September, as you can see above.
We are working very closely with the council and have already developed strong and positive links at many levels with them as well as with the major funding agencies, landlords, agents, key business people and more.
So, yes, we are very focused indeed and acutely aware of the need to consolidate the efforts of the many interested parties.
But, most importantly, we are not waiting around for the council or anyone else to be pro active. We are doing it ourselves. Please be supportive of us as we establish ourselves and get the message across.