Spalding residents react to recent figures which reveal a significant decline in town footfall

Readers have shared their views and concerns about Spalding town centre and told us what they want to see to change –after recent figures revealed a significant decline in footfall.

A special report from this newspaper revealed Spalding town centre has experienced a significant decrease in visitors in the last two years.

The data shows a decline of one third each year. This has resulted in fewer walk-in customers for businesses in our area – as many traders bear the brunt of modern-day challenges and the competition from the internet. We’ve opened up the debate on how to reverse that trend and back our traders - and had a big response.

A lot of commenters on the The Lincolnshire Free Press and Spalding Guardian Facebook page agree that improvements in the town could come off the back of free parking, more independent shops, a higher police presence and activities for families.

Anne Fathers wrote: “Allow our local shops to survive by giving opportunities to new businesses at a reasonable rate to start out. Take a walk round Stamford streets and look at their way of life. Spalding would thrive. They should also put a limit on the number of certain shops appearing in the town as they are not really what we require here to make it successful.”

Helen Merrill Bilner believes the market is slowly disappearing and wants to see market rates decrease to attract more traders.

Michelle Marie Bunn agreed and wrote: “We need more market stalls, we used to have lots of stalls and there’s hardly any now.”

Ant Murphy doesn’t think online shopping is all to blame, he said: “It isn’t just online shopping which is killing traditional high streets. The town centre isn’t a pleasant walk anymore – if it was this would naturally increase footfall and spend in cafes, restaurants and bars.

“There isn’t clothing options for men and children and it’s not much better for women. This naturally pushes people to places like Springfields as they have no other choice.

“There needs to be a far greater mix of shops to increase footfall and to achieve that, there needs to be big incentives in regard to rates and help from the council to encourage potential businesses to come to Spalding.”

Steve Redman said: “Turn the old Johnson hospital into a homeless shelter and bring back the police presence in the town centre.”

Debbie Garner wrote: “Bring some decent shops back into the town instead of it looking like a worn out old town. We need more market stalls on a Saturday and don’t charge for parking.”

Darren Green agreed that free parking would be a good start to improving the town.

Wendy Ray wrote: “There’s nothing to pull you into the town anymore. It’s sad to see because it’s surrounded by some beautiful places to visit.”

Viv Scupham enjoys visiting the town — and echoed the need for positivity expressed by district council leader Nick Worth. She said: “I am in town almost everyday and I love it. There is a fab Tuesday market – such nice traders.

“The local shopkeepers and cafe owners are lovely. Spalding just needs a little more love.”

Do you agree with any of these comments? Let us know below…