Letter: New Thinking Required For Guildford’s Town Centre

Published on: 1 Aug, 2018
Updated on: 1 Aug, 2018

North Street

From Brian Creese

spokesman for Guildford Labour

in response to: My Fears for the Retail Sector

Unlike A Atkinson of this piece, I am not a retail expert, but like most of us, we can see how the high street(s) are struggling.

The current Conservative council has been banking on getting John Lewis to move into North Street – but that is now clearly not going to happen. Indeed, as pointed out above, with Debenhams and House of Frazer reporting decreasing profits, keeping any large department stores will be a challenge.

So my view is that the council needs to look at different ways of developing the town centre, in particular North Street, which is a disgrace.

I suggest we need more housing /mixed housing studio/workshops built in and around North Street to add to the diversity of the area, and to open up the lanes and alleys between the two shopping streets.

We need more markets – food, crafts, flowers etc. We need an integrated public transport to North Street/High Street, affordable, efficient, welcoming buses. Cafes, restaurants and bars should spread across a pedestrianised North Street, there should be safe spaces for children and more routes to the river.

We need more events and festivals – one week cider the next week cherries (whatever). Events bring people into the town centre where they may do shopping, but also eating and drinking and browsing.

These are just a few of the thoughts Guildford Labour Party is discussing which will bring new life and vibrancy to what is a wonderful town centre.

This council is, I’m afraid, tired, jaded and unimaginative, past its sell-by date and ready to replaced by people who can bring new thinking to Guildford.