Archive - Originally posted on "The Horse's Mouth" - 2011-06-11 17:36:16 - Graham Ellis
I walked into Melksham this morning ... to visit five shops / services.
The first had closed down during the week I was away, from their already reduced hours. A sign on the door saying that it had closed thought lack of support from Melksham people, but that their Calne place is thriving.
In the second, I passed someone on his way out as I walked in, and the shopkeeper gave me a cheerful wave and greeting. Three other people (each independent of each other, so three groups) had come in by the time I left. The shopkeeper, who had been open on the Bank Holiday Monday unlike most other Melksham businesses told me that it had been fairly quiet but, never the less, she had turned over "x" pounds and was happy about it.
I walked into the third place through the invitingly open door and had a look around. But there was no-one there. I could have walked out with a load of things had I been so minded, but I couldn't buy anything!
The fourth place, I bypassed the first time ... as there was a long queue for the single lady serving, but then I got to the fifth place and there wers other customers with the solitary server there too. I did get into both places to conduct my business; good to see them busy (fifth placed) and rushed off feet (fourth).
Some businesses are bemoaning the roadworks, car parking charges, Asda's new store. And indeed each of the things that people are bemoaning will have some effect. But the some business aren't staffing their shops, are open at the wrong hours, are understaffed, and that's also having an effect on their business. Like the curate's egg, it's good in parts. And those parts which are working well and positively through the current trials and tribulations are, as per my discussion with one shopkeeper, ripe to be expanding into the future. For those that are being less positive, I could turn round and tell them why the money's not ringing through the tills - but this messenger doesn't want to be shot.
I've been declared redundant twice in my life, and had a major contract that was most of my business terminated once ... in each case as the company I was working for cut back. A shock at the time, but a new and refreshed "me" came out of the experience, with more learned and a somewhat toughened shell to take me forward. And what I moved forward to was better - it's much more fun to work in a budding and growing environment than a stale one. What a pity that the first shop has gone - yet it's a good opportuninty / space for a business that will work and attract people.
Did I say "attract people"? To Melksham? Oh - yes, we can! I'll tell you about discussions at 2, 3, 4 and 5 at another date.
My headline asked "Is Melksham Town Centre Dying". The answer id "No - it's not - but it's evolving with fresh modern thinkers and businesses served as we loose ones which are stale, bad business ideas, or no longer meet a market".