What image confronts him (or her) as he heads towards the front street.
Disgusting.
Paul
Tuesday 25 August 2009
Little Lever - The Car Parks Vista
So - having got all the signage in for Little Lever Shops and having shifted the re-cycling bins, the visitor has managed to park on the Car Parks or on Fletcher St.
What image confronts him (or her) as he heads towards the front street.
Disgusting.
Paul
What image confronts him (or her) as he heads towards the front street.
Disgusting.
Paul
Re-Locating the Re-Cycling Bins
Assuming that all the signage about Little Lever Shops were to happen (See previous posts) the eager visitor would turn into Foundry Street from either direction in order to access the Car Parks and would be faced with what? On the right the wonderfully pristine Tesco site. On the left a collection of bins. What a message to send out! Tony Connell has expressed the view that they need shifting and he never wanted them there in the first place. But to where?
Fear not! - I have the solution
Further along Foundry St on the left along side the Conservative Club is a stretch of pavement that goes nowhere and is never used by anybody. It is long enough to accomodate all the bins in just the lower half of it. It doesn't impinge on any view out of the Conservative Club. It would open up the vista of the front of the Conservative Club and faces across to the Tesco Car park.
Simple - innit?
Paul
Fear not! - I have the solution
Further along Foundry St on the left along side the Conservative Club is a stretch of pavement that goes nowhere and is never used by anybody. It is long enough to accomodate all the bins in just the lower half of it. It doesn't impinge on any view out of the Conservative Club. It would open up the vista of the front of the Conservative Club and faces across to the Tesco Car park.
Simple - innit?
Paul
Monday 24 August 2009
Little Lever Precinct Murals
Just an update on the Precinct white walls.These were painted about 2000 and the murals seem to have been commissioned by the Combined Churches of Little Lever. After all this time they are obviously a bit weather-worn. If and when the walls are re-painted perhaps the Churches have some idea as to what to do with them
This post also serves to show the state of the alleyway from the Car Park to the Post Office.
Paul
This post also serves to show the state of the alleyway from the Car Park to the Post Office.
Paul
Sunday 23 August 2009
Little Lever. Spending the £50k
Little Lever is allocated £25,000 per year in what I believe is called a Township Grant. Because, at the request of the Councillors, this is paid every other year, this year there is £50,000 available which must be spent by next March. Furthermore as I have said before it must be spent between Berry's and the Mini Mart.
In order for this money to be available, it must be approved by the Council's 'Executive Member' against a costed plan of proposed works.
Apparently this 'approval' took place on 27th July this year against a plan which I reproduce below.
"THE PROPOSALS"
2.1 Improvements to public realm, Market Street
It is proposed that the public realm opposite the precinct on Market Street is resurfaced to the same standard as that outside the Library and on the precinct opposite. Works would cover the stretch from the library to Heywood Street.
Estimated Project Cost: £31,300
2.2 Environmental Improvements to Precinct Area
It is proposed that Environmental Improvements to the precinct area are carried out. Works will include some landscaping and planting.
Estimated Project Cost: £7,200
2.3 Local Market Feasibility
It is proposed that the feasibility of holding a specialist local market is investigated. Work will include consultation with local residents, businesses and potential traders and will be carried out in the context of the work that is currently taking place on markets across the Borough.
Estimated Project Cost £1,500
2.4 Environmental Improvements to Memorial Gardens
It is proposed to carry out some environmental improvements to the Memorial Gardens that are located in the district centre to give it more of a park feel and make it a more attractive place for local residents. Works will include some landscaping and planting, installation of new benches and bins.
Estimated Project Cost £10,000
Total Project costs: £50,000
There has been discussion between a group of traders and residents and the Ward's three Councillors about a Public Consultation on what they would like the money to be spent . This was to take place during an 'Open Day' on the Square and was (& still is as far as I know) to happen within the next month.
The point was made that it seemed, according to the Plan, that the decision on how to spend the money had already been taken, but assurances were given by the Councillors that the proposals in the Plan were not set in stone but were contrived to allow the 'approval' to take place.
It was made clear that the final decisions would be taken by the Councillors, albeit after listening to the ideas and suggestions of the residents, but not necessarily taking any or all of them on board.
Fair enough.
Now let's look at the proposals.
2.1 Improvements to public realm, Market Street
"It is proposed that the public realm opposite the precinct on Market Street is resurfaced to the same standard as that outside the Library and on the precinct opposite. Works would cover the stretch from the library to Heywood Street.
Estimated Project Cost: £31,300"
This represents 63% of the available money!!!!
What it actually means is block paving the pavement from The Village Chippy to Nemo's Barbers.
Now look at the pavement as it is. Photo's below taken this morning.
It is Tarmaced, well edged and in superb condition. Not a pothole, blemish or hazard from one end to the other. I dare say it's one of the best stretches of pavement in Little Lever.
Who on earth would countenance, let alone propose, to waste £31,500 ripping it up when there's a) nothing wrong with it and b) many more necessary and urgent things to spend the money on.
Block paving on this stretch wouldn't put even one extra pair of 'Feet on the Street' and would only produce a marginal improvement in the 'Attractiveness' of the Village Centre compared to some of the other things I have discussed. If anything it's the pavement on the Precinct side that wants tarting up.
I have a nasty suspicion, however, that this is the one proposal that is indeed 'set in stone'
2.2 Environmental Improvements to Precinct Area
It is proposed that Environmental Improvements to the precinct area are carried out. Works will include some landscaping and planting.
Estimated Project Cost: £7,200
This is so non-specific as to be meaningless, so how any figure let alone that of £7,200 can be arrived at is a mystery to me. Might include the floral decoration ( see previous post) but nothing to indicate that.
2.3 Local Market Feasibility
It is proposed that the feasibility of holding a specialist local market is investigated. Work will include consultation with local residents, businesses and potential traders and will be carried out in the context of the work that is currently taking place on markets across the Borough.
Estimated Project Cost £1,500
Now it is true that there would be great benefit to 'Feet on the Street' by periodically holding a 'Market' of one sort or another on the Square. It is ideal for this. Of course a Farmers or Victorian Market would probably produce a measure of whinging by some traders on competition grounds, but this would be extremely short sighted. Personally, if, once a month people were eating hot dogs on the square instead of dining in the Tea Room, I'd live with it. Perhaps in the intervening weeks, because of it, they would come to the Tea Room.
A Car Boot sale again, hopefully would get more people in the Centre, to the advantage of all the traders.
The problems I have with this proposal are a) the cost of Investigation and b) What's this got to do with other Markets across the Borough.
The Council can have the Consultation for free - just combine it with the Open Day consultation on how to spend the 50k.
2.4 Environmental Improvements to Memorial Gardens
It is proposed to carry out some environmental improvements to the Memorial Gardens that are located in the district centre to give it more of a park feel and make it a more attractive place for local residents. Works will include some landscaping and planting, installation of new benches and bins.
Estimated Project Cost £10,000
As laudable as this proposal is in developing a very nice area, the area is on the very edge of the Village Centre, has little 'pedestrian traffic' other than as a cut-through, and would again produce no increase in 'Feet on the Street'
It is as if whoever came up with this Plan had never visited Little Lever.
The Plan was originally conceived in 2006, albeit updated in May 2009. It doesn't, in my view, address the urgency or reality of action needed to counteract the effects of the recession on the Village Centre.
What must be borne in mind is that whichever group is in control of the Council after next May, financial restrictions are likely to mean that this will be the last Township Grant that Little Lever will receive. The Officers of the Council have already had a go at removing the Township status of Little Lever earlier this year. Next time they will really have the excuse that there is no money.
This money must be spent to produce the maximum improvement in attractiveness of the Village Centre to produce more 'Feet on the Street' and I don't think the proposals currently on the table achieve that.
Lastly - The Public Consultation must happen. For it not to, will leave the residents with the justifiable impression that local democracy is not working and all political parties will feel the result next year.
In order for this money to be available, it must be approved by the Council's 'Executive Member' against a costed plan of proposed works.
Apparently this 'approval' took place on 27th July this year against a plan which I reproduce below.
"THE PROPOSALS"
2.1 Improvements to public realm, Market Street
It is proposed that the public realm opposite the precinct on Market Street is resurfaced to the same standard as that outside the Library and on the precinct opposite. Works would cover the stretch from the library to Heywood Street.
Estimated Project Cost: £31,300
2.2 Environmental Improvements to Precinct Area
It is proposed that Environmental Improvements to the precinct area are carried out. Works will include some landscaping and planting.
Estimated Project Cost: £7,200
2.3 Local Market Feasibility
It is proposed that the feasibility of holding a specialist local market is investigated. Work will include consultation with local residents, businesses and potential traders and will be carried out in the context of the work that is currently taking place on markets across the Borough.
Estimated Project Cost £1,500
2.4 Environmental Improvements to Memorial Gardens
It is proposed to carry out some environmental improvements to the Memorial Gardens that are located in the district centre to give it more of a park feel and make it a more attractive place for local residents. Works will include some landscaping and planting, installation of new benches and bins.
Estimated Project Cost £10,000
Total Project costs: £50,000
There has been discussion between a group of traders and residents and the Ward's three Councillors about a Public Consultation on what they would like the money to be spent . This was to take place during an 'Open Day' on the Square and was (& still is as far as I know) to happen within the next month.
The point was made that it seemed, according to the Plan, that the decision on how to spend the money had already been taken, but assurances were given by the Councillors that the proposals in the Plan were not set in stone but were contrived to allow the 'approval' to take place.
It was made clear that the final decisions would be taken by the Councillors, albeit after listening to the ideas and suggestions of the residents, but not necessarily taking any or all of them on board.
Fair enough.
Now let's look at the proposals.
2.1 Improvements to public realm, Market Street
"It is proposed that the public realm opposite the precinct on Market Street is resurfaced to the same standard as that outside the Library and on the precinct opposite. Works would cover the stretch from the library to Heywood Street.
Estimated Project Cost: £31,300"
This represents 63% of the available money!!!!
What it actually means is block paving the pavement from The Village Chippy to Nemo's Barbers.
Now look at the pavement as it is. Photo's below taken this morning.
It is Tarmaced, well edged and in superb condition. Not a pothole, blemish or hazard from one end to the other. I dare say it's one of the best stretches of pavement in Little Lever.
Who on earth would countenance, let alone propose, to waste £31,500 ripping it up when there's a) nothing wrong with it and b) many more necessary and urgent things to spend the money on.
Block paving on this stretch wouldn't put even one extra pair of 'Feet on the Street' and would only produce a marginal improvement in the 'Attractiveness' of the Village Centre compared to some of the other things I have discussed. If anything it's the pavement on the Precinct side that wants tarting up.
I have a nasty suspicion, however, that this is the one proposal that is indeed 'set in stone'
2.2 Environmental Improvements to Precinct Area
It is proposed that Environmental Improvements to the precinct area are carried out. Works will include some landscaping and planting.
Estimated Project Cost: £7,200
This is so non-specific as to be meaningless, so how any figure let alone that of £7,200 can be arrived at is a mystery to me. Might include the floral decoration ( see previous post) but nothing to indicate that.
2.3 Local Market Feasibility
It is proposed that the feasibility of holding a specialist local market is investigated. Work will include consultation with local residents, businesses and potential traders and will be carried out in the context of the work that is currently taking place on markets across the Borough.
Estimated Project Cost £1,500
Now it is true that there would be great benefit to 'Feet on the Street' by periodically holding a 'Market' of one sort or another on the Square. It is ideal for this. Of course a Farmers or Victorian Market would probably produce a measure of whinging by some traders on competition grounds, but this would be extremely short sighted. Personally, if, once a month people were eating hot dogs on the square instead of dining in the Tea Room, I'd live with it. Perhaps in the intervening weeks, because of it, they would come to the Tea Room.
A Car Boot sale again, hopefully would get more people in the Centre, to the advantage of all the traders.
The problems I have with this proposal are a) the cost of Investigation and b) What's this got to do with other Markets across the Borough.
The Council can have the Consultation for free - just combine it with the Open Day consultation on how to spend the 50k.
2.4 Environmental Improvements to Memorial Gardens
It is proposed to carry out some environmental improvements to the Memorial Gardens that are located in the district centre to give it more of a park feel and make it a more attractive place for local residents. Works will include some landscaping and planting, installation of new benches and bins.
Estimated Project Cost £10,000
As laudable as this proposal is in developing a very nice area, the area is on the very edge of the Village Centre, has little 'pedestrian traffic' other than as a cut-through, and would again produce no increase in 'Feet on the Street'
It is as if whoever came up with this Plan had never visited Little Lever.
The Plan was originally conceived in 2006, albeit updated in May 2009. It doesn't, in my view, address the urgency or reality of action needed to counteract the effects of the recession on the Village Centre.
What must be borne in mind is that whichever group is in control of the Council after next May, financial restrictions are likely to mean that this will be the last Township Grant that Little Lever will receive. The Officers of the Council have already had a go at removing the Township status of Little Lever earlier this year. Next time they will really have the excuse that there is no money.
This money must be spent to produce the maximum improvement in attractiveness of the Village Centre to produce more 'Feet on the Street' and I don't think the proposals currently on the table achieve that.
Lastly - The Public Consultation must happen. For it not to, will leave the residents with the justifiable impression that local democracy is not working and all political parties will feel the result next year.
Saturday 22 August 2009
Signage & Floral Decoration Update
Just taken some new piccys of the tree plot ouside Cohens. This is the ideal place for the 'Little Lever Shops - To the Car Park ' sign I previously mentioned as well as a flowerbed like to ones at the Council Offices and opposite LA Diner.
Paul
Paul
Market St Floral Decoration
I used to live in Atherton. Bit of a one-horse town but a lovely place, in parts, to live. It's an old mining area which still retains a sense of community. It used to have it's own Council but of course in 1974 this was taken over by Wigan Metro upon the formation of Greater Manchester. This also was the case with Leigh and Tyldesley.
The residents broadly speaking can't stand Wiganers and used to constantly complain that Wigan Council spent all the Council Tax from Atherton Leigh and Tyldesley on doing up Wigan Town Centre.
However in the last few years Wigan has spent a great deal of money on improvements to Market Street Atherton and Elliott and Castle Steets in Tyldesley by pavement railings and floral decoration. This work, more than anything else, has lifted the image of the two towns both to the residents and to visitors who may be passing through.
I've also noticed that the same kind of thing has been happening to parts of Bolton Town Centre and no doubt many other areas. ( I don't get out much)
It would be wrong to say that there isn't even a single Dandelion in Little Lever because the flower beds opposite the LA Diner and in front of the Council offices are excellent. However these are passed by in seconds and for the rest of Market St there is nothing.
Below are some pictures of the kind of thing I'm talking about taken in Tyldesley & Atherton and my question is why can't Little Lever spend some of the money from the Township Grant on this. Attractiveness-wise you get more Bang for your Buck by doing this than by spending £31,000 on relaying the pavement on the Co-op side of the Street - (One of the currents proposals). See what you think - in fact let me know what you think.
Paul
The residents broadly speaking can't stand Wiganers and used to constantly complain that Wigan Council spent all the Council Tax from Atherton Leigh and Tyldesley on doing up Wigan Town Centre.
However in the last few years Wigan has spent a great deal of money on improvements to Market Street Atherton and Elliott and Castle Steets in Tyldesley by pavement railings and floral decoration. This work, more than anything else, has lifted the image of the two towns both to the residents and to visitors who may be passing through.
I've also noticed that the same kind of thing has been happening to parts of Bolton Town Centre and no doubt many other areas. ( I don't get out much)
It would be wrong to say that there isn't even a single Dandelion in Little Lever because the flower beds opposite the LA Diner and in front of the Council offices are excellent. However these are passed by in seconds and for the rest of Market St there is nothing.
Below are some pictures of the kind of thing I'm talking about taken in Tyldesley & Atherton and my question is why can't Little Lever spend some of the money from the Township Grant on this. Attractiveness-wise you get more Bang for your Buck by doing this than by spending £31,000 on relaying the pavement on the Co-op side of the Street - (One of the currents proposals). See what you think - in fact let me know what you think.
Paul
Thursday 20 August 2009
How to post a Comment.
Just a short note to any visitors to this blog following my letter in today's Bolton News.
If you are a Little Lever resident or trader or use the Village Centre then your views and opinions are as important as or even more important than mine.
So don't steer away from this site without Commenting. It's easy to do although you will probably need to create a Google Account of your own.
Account is the wrong word because it costs nothing. It only takes a minute or so and is non-invasive.
If you disagree with anything I've said up to now then say so. If you have other and better ideas then let's hear them.
The Councillors have to consult the public prior to deciding on how to spend the £50,000 township grant. This must be spent between Berry's at the one end of the Village Centre and the Mini Mart at the other.
I'll be posting more about this later, but I'm sure that anything you write here will be seen by the Councillors.
Paul
If you are a Little Lever resident or trader or use the Village Centre then your views and opinions are as important as or even more important than mine.
So don't steer away from this site without Commenting. It's easy to do although you will probably need to create a Google Account of your own.
Account is the wrong word because it costs nothing. It only takes a minute or so and is non-invasive.
If you disagree with anything I've said up to now then say so. If you have other and better ideas then let's hear them.
The Councillors have to consult the public prior to deciding on how to spend the £50,000 township grant. This must be spent between Berry's at the one end of the Village Centre and the Mini Mart at the other.
I'll be posting more about this later, but I'm sure that anything you write here will be seen by the Councillors.
Paul
Monday 17 August 2009
Signage
For all the residents of Little Lever it is obvious what constitutes the Village Centre. However, for outsiders, strangers and visitors arriving from either direction along the A6053 it's hard to know where it starts or where it ends. There is nothing visible to say 'This is Little Lever' other than the insignia on the Precinct Square.
For people to have a sense of belonging to a Village Community, or any other for that matter, geographical identity is an important factor.
'You are now entering Bolton - twinned with Le Mans ' etc.
'You are now entering Tyldesley - twinned with Beirut' --- Joke!!!!
But you get what I mean.
You see these signs repeatedly on any car journey you take - But not if you go through Little Lever.
Some of my ancestors came from a place called Whitby (Near Cheshire Oaks - not Yorkshire) and I tootled along there to rummage through the graveyard. Like many places which had once been small isolated communities, it had sprawled out along the roads in and out and without any signs I had to call in at a local shop to find where it started and where it finished.
Now I'm not the greatest fan of street furniture and signage and I'm sure the Council has a "Department For Thinking Up Even More Street Signs To Confuse The Public". However, having to pass a sign which says 'Welcome to Crompton Lodges Caravan Park' and then not seeing a sign further on saying 'Welcome to Little Lever Village Centre' gets my blood boiling. Let's face it, the last thing a member of the general public would get from Crompton Lodges is a Welcome- at least not the type of welcome he would appreciate.
Equally there are massive brown Heritage & Attraction signs all over the place some of which, like those for the Last Drop Village, are promoting purely commercial enterprises.
So why not Little Lever?. One on Church Street - one on High St - let's not be greedy.
And let's have brown ones to celebrate the Heritage of the Village.
This would fit in nicely with the erection of the Archway on the Memorial Gardens.
(Soon to happen - Thanks Sean)
What Heritage? do I hear you say.
Little Lever Local History Society
Little Lever Family History Society
OK, these don't exist - yet. I'll do a post later on about the possibilities.
The Council, bless them, cost these signs at circa £2,000 each. As one of my friends would say - ' No wonder the country's on it's arse'
So that's the Village Centre identity sorted out. Now, how about the shops?
Before you read the next bit, just think about what catches the eye.
Turn right around the Church into Market St. Within fifty feet the only thing that dominates your vision is - yes, you've guessed correctly - TESCO.
Now I've got to admit they're good at it. In fact they're brilliant at it. Problem is that you could, signage wise, be left thinking that there isn't another shop in the Village Centre. Nothing sticks out - nothing is colourful - and right next to Tesco in Foundry St is Hampson's wall with a piddling little sign saying Hampsons.
Now Tesco has a car park ( signed of course) and albeit there is a planning condition that says that it may be used by the general public who are not necessarily shopping as Tesco ( Not a lot of people know that), the other two car parks behind the precinct are not signed. In fact, it's worse than that. With all the recycling bins on the Precinct side pavement, ( Good idea - Save the Planet), we could almost be saying that everything on that side is rubbish.
At the other end of the Precinct ( approaching from the High St) even though the visitor may see the shops along Market St, there is no indication as to how to reach the car parks. So what does the visitor do - says 'Sod it' and drives on. Why not a 'To the car parks ' sign on the tree plot infront of Cohens?.
How about this for Hampson's wall
This isn't anti Tesco - just a level playing field. Learn from the masters.
Ok, so you've arrived on the car park at the back of the Precinct ( if you can get on )
Where is the signage at the back of the shops?. Westhoughton, I believe, has just decorated it's car park with signs for all the shops on the street. (I'm not 100% sure 'cos I haven't had chance to go and have a look) but I'm sure it's a damned sight more attractive vista than the one that greets you on the Precinct Car parks.
Paul
For people to have a sense of belonging to a Village Community, or any other for that matter, geographical identity is an important factor.
'You are now entering Bolton - twinned with Le Mans ' etc.
'You are now entering Tyldesley - twinned with Beirut' --- Joke!!!!
But you get what I mean.
You see these signs repeatedly on any car journey you take - But not if you go through Little Lever.
Some of my ancestors came from a place called Whitby (Near Cheshire Oaks - not Yorkshire) and I tootled along there to rummage through the graveyard. Like many places which had once been small isolated communities, it had sprawled out along the roads in and out and without any signs I had to call in at a local shop to find where it started and where it finished.
Now I'm not the greatest fan of street furniture and signage and I'm sure the Council has a "Department For Thinking Up Even More Street Signs To Confuse The Public". However, having to pass a sign which says 'Welcome to Crompton Lodges Caravan Park' and then not seeing a sign further on saying 'Welcome to Little Lever Village Centre' gets my blood boiling. Let's face it, the last thing a member of the general public would get from Crompton Lodges is a Welcome- at least not the type of welcome he would appreciate.
Equally there are massive brown Heritage & Attraction signs all over the place some of which, like those for the Last Drop Village, are promoting purely commercial enterprises.
So why not Little Lever?. One on Church Street - one on High St - let's not be greedy.
And let's have brown ones to celebrate the Heritage of the Village.
This would fit in nicely with the erection of the Archway on the Memorial Gardens.
(Soon to happen - Thanks Sean)
What Heritage? do I hear you say.
Little Lever Local History Society
Little Lever Family History Society
OK, these don't exist - yet. I'll do a post later on about the possibilities.
The Council, bless them, cost these signs at circa £2,000 each. As one of my friends would say - ' No wonder the country's on it's arse'
So that's the Village Centre identity sorted out. Now, how about the shops?
Before you read the next bit, just think about what catches the eye.
Turn right around the Church into Market St. Within fifty feet the only thing that dominates your vision is - yes, you've guessed correctly - TESCO.
Now I've got to admit they're good at it. In fact they're brilliant at it. Problem is that you could, signage wise, be left thinking that there isn't another shop in the Village Centre. Nothing sticks out - nothing is colourful - and right next to Tesco in Foundry St is Hampson's wall with a piddling little sign saying Hampsons.
Now Tesco has a car park ( signed of course) and albeit there is a planning condition that says that it may be used by the general public who are not necessarily shopping as Tesco ( Not a lot of people know that), the other two car parks behind the precinct are not signed. In fact, it's worse than that. With all the recycling bins on the Precinct side pavement, ( Good idea - Save the Planet), we could almost be saying that everything on that side is rubbish.
At the other end of the Precinct ( approaching from the High St) even though the visitor may see the shops along Market St, there is no indication as to how to reach the car parks. So what does the visitor do - says 'Sod it' and drives on. Why not a 'To the car parks ' sign on the tree plot infront of Cohens?.
How about this for Hampson's wall
This isn't anti Tesco - just a level playing field. Learn from the masters.
Ok, so you've arrived on the car park at the back of the Precinct ( if you can get on )
Where is the signage at the back of the shops?. Westhoughton, I believe, has just decorated it's car park with signs for all the shops on the street. (I'm not 100% sure 'cos I haven't had chance to go and have a look) but I'm sure it's a damned sight more attractive vista than the one that greets you on the Precinct Car parks.
Paul
Friday 14 August 2009
Village Centre Tarting Up
'Feet on the Street' - That's what it's all about.
Why should anyone walk down Market St let alone buy anything in any of the shops?
Going to the Doctors, - going to have your hair done, - meet up with your friends in the cafes for a chat, - going to the Library etc, - but an interesting and attractive shopping centre it isn't. It doesn't have the variety of shops particularly since the closure of the Butchers. No dedicated Greengrocer, no Clothes shop, no Furniture or Carpet shop, no Freezer shop, no Hobbies shop - make your own list up. (See later for Tesco)
On top of that it's a bit dilapidated - particularly the Precinct Buildings. Even worse until a few weeks ago the Precinct square was filthy. This has been partially sorted out by the jet washing of the flags and block paving and some of the shutters.
One of the walls previously painted back in 2000 has been re-painted as an example of what can be done but the remainder, particularly in the alley way at the side of the Post Office, are a disgrace. What are we talking about ? - £ 80 worth of paint from B&Q and a days labour by half a dozen volunteers.
The 'back doors' of the shops in the alleyway at the side of Pocket Savers and some elsewhere haven't been touched since the place was built. What are we talking about? - a belt sander and some fence paint.
The shutters on some of the shops aren't even painted let alone re-painted. Some traders seem to think that when they're shut and the shutters are down it doesn't matter but the image of Little Lever portrayed to anyone driving through the Village Centre after 5 o'clock says that nobody cares. How much to paint or re-paint. Frankly I don't know but I'm damned sure that if it was my business I wouldn't want people to think that I was as scruffy inside as I was outside - even if I wasn't.
Money - it's all about money. Most of the shops are rented or leased, particularly on the Precinct. I suspect that most of the leases, certainly the more recent ones, are 'self - repairing'. This means that the trader is responsible for the outside decoration as well as the inside. So this means that they would have to pay for it. I get the feeling that they think somebody else (meaning the Council) should pay for it.
What about the people who actually own the Precinct Buildings. According to the Land Registry it is owned by a company called Miller & Co - registered in Gibraltar, although I can find no trace of them at Companies House in Gibraltar. Anecdotally it's owned by a guy called Solomon who lives in either Manchester or London, depending on who you believe. It's managed by a firm of letting agents who the Council have had some contact with but who are adamant about not doing any significant improvements. The place apparently in mortgaged by Norwich Union so it's not clear if the owners have any interest other than in drawing the rents. I personally think that there's something fishy about it all and will continue to do so until the guy who nominally owns it sits down in Little Lever and explains what's going on.
The problem is that the Precinct Buildings in fact and in image represent a large part of the Village Centre. Why should Little Lever suffer a run down centre because some absent owner, who is probably swanning around the Mediterranean Sea, can't be arsed.
The square itself and the car parks are also private property owned by the same people. The Council have previously spent money on the square with trees and benches etc but are in a bit of a cleft stick because they don't actually own it or, as far as I know have permission to steam in there and make improvements such as re-laying the subsided flags.
Now we come to litter. Dog shit is very rare so we've leave that alone for the time being.
First of all there has been a large reduction in litter since the jet washing. Maybe this is to do with ' Give them a dump & they'll treat it like a dump. Give them somewhere clean and the majority will think twice.'
Most litter is from the wrappings of things that have been sold in the adjacent shops. How do I know this? - because for three weeks after the jet washing I have been picking it up every morning. OK, we know that it's the usual dozen suspects who seem to think that rules don't apply - either that or their parents are slobs who have brought up slobs.
What I don't get is that given this, traders haven't even, on opening up or closing up, got the pride to sweep up in front of their own premises. Once again they seem to think it's somebody elses job ( ie The Council). They are willing to let their customers wade through litter to get into their shops just as people previously walked over a filthy square without even noticing it.
In fact, in law, it is the responsibility of the traders to clear litter generated from their businesses whoever has dropped it - and the Council has the power to compel them to do it. A few Street Litter Control Notices might cause them to think about it.
By the same token, the Police and CPSO's seem to have little interest in accepting that they have a duty to enforce the litter laws. They have the means to do it (CCTV) and all the sanctions they need. A few well aimed Fixed Penalty Notices would wake up some of the offenders ( and their parents) to their dirty habits. Again - Can't be arsed.
Enough for now.
Yet to come - Village Identity - Signage - Floral Decoration - Feeling of Community - etc etc etc.
Come on you 16,000 - Feedback - Your opinions and ideas. Don't forget - you are the solution to the problem.
Why should anyone walk down Market St let alone buy anything in any of the shops?
Going to the Doctors, - going to have your hair done, - meet up with your friends in the cafes for a chat, - going to the Library etc, - but an interesting and attractive shopping centre it isn't. It doesn't have the variety of shops particularly since the closure of the Butchers. No dedicated Greengrocer, no Clothes shop, no Furniture or Carpet shop, no Freezer shop, no Hobbies shop - make your own list up. (See later for Tesco)
On top of that it's a bit dilapidated - particularly the Precinct Buildings. Even worse until a few weeks ago the Precinct square was filthy. This has been partially sorted out by the jet washing of the flags and block paving and some of the shutters.
One of the walls previously painted back in 2000 has been re-painted as an example of what can be done but the remainder, particularly in the alley way at the side of the Post Office, are a disgrace. What are we talking about ? - £ 80 worth of paint from B&Q and a days labour by half a dozen volunteers.
The 'back doors' of the shops in the alleyway at the side of Pocket Savers and some elsewhere haven't been touched since the place was built. What are we talking about? - a belt sander and some fence paint.
The shutters on some of the shops aren't even painted let alone re-painted. Some traders seem to think that when they're shut and the shutters are down it doesn't matter but the image of Little Lever portrayed to anyone driving through the Village Centre after 5 o'clock says that nobody cares. How much to paint or re-paint. Frankly I don't know but I'm damned sure that if it was my business I wouldn't want people to think that I was as scruffy inside as I was outside - even if I wasn't.
Money - it's all about money. Most of the shops are rented or leased, particularly on the Precinct. I suspect that most of the leases, certainly the more recent ones, are 'self - repairing'. This means that the trader is responsible for the outside decoration as well as the inside. So this means that they would have to pay for it. I get the feeling that they think somebody else (meaning the Council) should pay for it.
What about the people who actually own the Precinct Buildings. According to the Land Registry it is owned by a company called Miller & Co - registered in Gibraltar, although I can find no trace of them at Companies House in Gibraltar. Anecdotally it's owned by a guy called Solomon who lives in either Manchester or London, depending on who you believe. It's managed by a firm of letting agents who the Council have had some contact with but who are adamant about not doing any significant improvements. The place apparently in mortgaged by Norwich Union so it's not clear if the owners have any interest other than in drawing the rents. I personally think that there's something fishy about it all and will continue to do so until the guy who nominally owns it sits down in Little Lever and explains what's going on.
The problem is that the Precinct Buildings in fact and in image represent a large part of the Village Centre. Why should Little Lever suffer a run down centre because some absent owner, who is probably swanning around the Mediterranean Sea, can't be arsed.
The square itself and the car parks are also private property owned by the same people. The Council have previously spent money on the square with trees and benches etc but are in a bit of a cleft stick because they don't actually own it or, as far as I know have permission to steam in there and make improvements such as re-laying the subsided flags.
Now we come to litter. Dog shit is very rare so we've leave that alone for the time being.
First of all there has been a large reduction in litter since the jet washing. Maybe this is to do with ' Give them a dump & they'll treat it like a dump. Give them somewhere clean and the majority will think twice.'
Most litter is from the wrappings of things that have been sold in the adjacent shops. How do I know this? - because for three weeks after the jet washing I have been picking it up every morning. OK, we know that it's the usual dozen suspects who seem to think that rules don't apply - either that or their parents are slobs who have brought up slobs.
What I don't get is that given this, traders haven't even, on opening up or closing up, got the pride to sweep up in front of their own premises. Once again they seem to think it's somebody elses job ( ie The Council). They are willing to let their customers wade through litter to get into their shops just as people previously walked over a filthy square without even noticing it.
In fact, in law, it is the responsibility of the traders to clear litter generated from their businesses whoever has dropped it - and the Council has the power to compel them to do it. A few Street Litter Control Notices might cause them to think about it.
By the same token, the Police and CPSO's seem to have little interest in accepting that they have a duty to enforce the litter laws. They have the means to do it (CCTV) and all the sanctions they need. A few well aimed Fixed Penalty Notices would wake up some of the offenders ( and their parents) to their dirty habits. Again - Can't be arsed.
Enough for now.
Yet to come - Village Identity - Signage - Floral Decoration - Feeling of Community - etc etc etc.
Come on you 16,000 - Feedback - Your opinions and ideas. Don't forget - you are the solution to the problem.
Thursday 13 August 2009
Little Lever - The future of the Village Centre
Right, now this thing is on Google Search I can start sounding off. Let me declare an interest. My wife, Kathy, owns and runs the Village Tea Room in the centre of Little Lever.
This blog is to do with Little Lever and particularly the Village Centre. Over twelve months ago I had a letter published in the Bolton News forewarning of the potential decline of the Village Centre in terms of usage by the residents of Little Lever. The way that this recession is proceeding has only served to confirm my fears. The first sign of this was the demise of the Village Butcher - one of the icons of Village identity for years and years.
For every remaining business in the Village there is a threshold level of trade below which it will be impossible to continue trading. At a rough guess trade is already down by 10 -15% since last October. Unemployment has a long way to go before it peaks and that peak will lag behind the 'end' of the recession by as much as 12 months. By all accounts there is no sign of the end of the recession as yet and the worst case scenario is the 'double dip' where there is a slight recovery and then another slump in demand.
All this is the background to what may happen to the businesses in Little Lever. Nothing is sacred - no one is protected.I firmly believed, and still do, that it is possible to stop the decline and reverse it.The question was and is 'How?'
The answer is 'Feet on the Street' Roughly speaking, only about 500 of the 16,000 residents of Little Lever use the Village Centre shops on a regular basis. I argued in my original letter to the Bolton News that if every resident spent an extra £1 in the centre every week then the problem is solved. How is that achieved?
My next post will start listing the problems and solutions.
Paul
This blog is to do with Little Lever and particularly the Village Centre. Over twelve months ago I had a letter published in the Bolton News forewarning of the potential decline of the Village Centre in terms of usage by the residents of Little Lever. The way that this recession is proceeding has only served to confirm my fears. The first sign of this was the demise of the Village Butcher - one of the icons of Village identity for years and years.
For every remaining business in the Village there is a threshold level of trade below which it will be impossible to continue trading. At a rough guess trade is already down by 10 -15% since last October. Unemployment has a long way to go before it peaks and that peak will lag behind the 'end' of the recession by as much as 12 months. By all accounts there is no sign of the end of the recession as yet and the worst case scenario is the 'double dip' where there is a slight recovery and then another slump in demand.
All this is the background to what may happen to the businesses in Little Lever. Nothing is sacred - no one is protected.I firmly believed, and still do, that it is possible to stop the decline and reverse it.The question was and is 'How?'
The answer is 'Feet on the Street' Roughly speaking, only about 500 of the 16,000 residents of Little Lever use the Village Centre shops on a regular basis. I argued in my original letter to the Bolton News that if every resident spent an extra £1 in the centre every week then the problem is solved. How is that achieved?
My next post will start listing the problems and solutions.
Paul
Thursday 6 August 2009
Little Lever Centre is on my mind.
Thursday 6th August 2009
I think too much - too many issues - gotta let of steam. This is the way
I think too much - too many issues - gotta let of steam. This is the way
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