Local residents, Hoylake shopkeepers and businesses are all invited to a public meeting next week to discuss the future of Hoylake commerce. Topics of discussion could include:
- ideas on how to increase the footfall in local shops and businesses
- what can be done to encourage more shoppers to the area
- what do potential shoppers want from Hoylake
- public transport/parking issues
- etc
Hoylake has a range of shops, offices, pubs, bars and restaurants mainly along Market Street. There is also a large commercial area on the Carr Lane Estate over the railway line, plus numerous small businesses. Hoylake has hosted a world class sporting event – the Open Golf championships – and will probably be doing so again within the next few years.
The meeting sounds interesting and I aim to attend myself …hope to see you there.
When: Tuesday, 8th September, 2009 at 8pm
Where: Melrose Hall, Melrose Avenue, Hoylake (behind Ship Inn)
Who: Everyone welcome.
That’s very interesting to hear. Some observations from afar:
Hoylake shops were designed for a different era, there are too many for the size of the population, they are too small and too spread out over half a mile or more in a linear pattern with no clear centre. Moreover there are too many competing local town centres and the edge of town supermarkets with car parking – Sainsbury, Tesco, etc.
The public realm works are a huge improvement. The H&WK Masterplan also identified the need for a decent supermarket to provide a ‘destination store’ (i.e. one to which people will travel because it is an attraction in itself). They identified the site of The Row as the only realistic option. Waitrose would best fit the bill or M&S Simply Food would be another option. Sainsbury’s is also the best of the larger stores and in a different league to the value conscious but dull and un-innovative Morrison’s in WK. As Sainsbury’s have been in Hoylake for a few years they might be keen to expand onto a larger site if one was available.
So I believe that a high quality redevelopment in architectural terms with a high quality supermarket on The Row would be the best option. The Row has always been a failure but if redeveloped this area could become the retail core with a store like Waitrose immediately attracting other nationwide businesses to set up shop too.
The public realm improvements should be extended from Melrose Avenue to Waverley Road and then on to Birkenhead Road and the proposed ‘town square’ concept developed in front of the station.
It has to be faced that a return to traditional shopping patterns is unlikely so the King’s Gap and Birkenhead Road ends of the shopping area need to focus on more specialist retail, service and entertainment businesses. The restaurant scene has hugely improved and could expand further in a quality way.
There are lots of places to drink and party but these are said to cause problems for neighbours. Personally, living in Edinburgh city centre surrounded by pubs and eateries I don’t have a problem with some noise and ‘high spirits’ but as an ‘exile’ I don’t know how the Hoylake bar scene works so can’t comment. Clearly, these businesses want to extend their current restricted hours and, as they have to close early by modern standards, their viability must be adversely affected. A meeting of minds is clearly needed or else there is a danger of empty premises and a lifeless town centre again.
I was surprised that the application for a Costa/Starbucks style coffee shop in the big empty shop near the pet shop was turned down. I live directly opposite a Starbucks with a Cafe Nero 50 yards away and they offer an alcohol free place for people of all ages to socialise, chat, read, etc. I can’t see how they could be a nuisance although obviously I know nothing about who was going to operate the particular one that was proposed.
I think that the Hoylake town centre has come quite a long way in recent years but has been knocked back by the recession with the reappearance of empty shops. I think it needs a dedicated ‘town centre manager’ to work to attract new businesses and support existing businesses, to upgrade and promote the town. Hoylake/Meols is a high quality residential area but is still let down by its town centre.
Another thing is to encourage appropriate office-based businesses as this brings people, activity and spending power into town. It’s been interesting to see small scale office developments over the last few years. There are too few things to bring people into town and the possible library closure would take one away.
The promenades and associated parks / gardens are a complete missed opportunity. Not only are they terribly shabby and unloved but it is impossible to spend money to buy refreshments and enjoy the view. The cafe proposal for the Trinity Road loos took 2 or 3 years to be approved but no idea if it will go ahead. The applicant probably put his money elsewhere. The promenade urgently needs redeveloping and a focus on walkers and cyclists would be good. The prom should be a natural stopping point for loos and quality cafe refreshments with a series of safe cycle routes developed along the coast and into surrounding countryside. Even a bike hire facility might be possible – a use for the old lifeboat station as a combined cafe and bike hire centre?
A network of cycle and walking routes was proposed in the H&WK Masterplan along with the golf resort.
Whether or not the golf resort goes ahead there is still scope for golf and nature and citybreak tourism. I hope the King’s Gap Court plans go ahead so that there is somewhere decent to stay. The Green Lodge desperately needs taking upmarket as a high quality traditional style boutique hotel with gastro food, a quality bar and good class of accommodation. Visitors spend lots of money!
Hoylake is such a lovely town with great unrealised potential. There’s a long way to go but with The Open probably back again in 2014 it provides a catalyst for change. I hope it is grabbed positively.
Look forward to hearing what is said at the meeting!
Hi there
Just in relation to the comment above…not sure if anyone has noticed that there is a big sign up on the old public toilets at the end of Hoyle Road..
In a nutshell it says that after 5 years in planning, an agreement has been reached for a cafe with viewing deck and public toilets. It goes on to say that some final bits are being ironed out, but they are hoping to have the project completed by early spring 2010… and it’s to be called “Pebbles”.
Good news (in my opinion)
Mark
Hello Mark,
Yes, I’m aware of the Pebbles cafe proposal and am about to try and get further details from the developer.
That’s great… Thanks John
I’ve had the odd conversation with Gerry Ellis about it over the past few years, so it will be nice to see it making some progress. It’s unfortunate that due to it’s current state on occasions it falls victim to the odd vandal attack…
I’d be really interested to hear about any developments you are able to find out about.
Thanks again.
Mark
Definitely excellent news!
This poor developer has been the subject of people trying to say he would be changing the seascape and upsetting the birds etc. It has taken all this time for him to get clearance for the development but this has finally gone through and he is about to start as I understand it.
Thank you Peter for your comments which I will read out at the Meeting on Tuesday. We have some interesting ideas to put forward. The problem is the daytime economy not the night time and we need a greater footfall during the day to encourage businesses.
The Pebbles proposal is great news – I heard about it some years ago and was really disappointed that it seemed to have stalled. I really can’t see how the cafe/viewing area will upset the birds – surely it can’t “upset” them any more than our dogs, horses, walkers and of course, the large tractors that appear now and again to move the sand (not a criticism of any of the above activities). It can only be a real asset to the Prom.
Well done John, a very comprehensive report of the main points.
I am delighted that we had 8 volunteers, to take the ideas forward, who are champing at the bit to get started. Already an idea is being circulated for the end of October.
Hopefully Hoylake may get a new lease of life.