Oakham Town Council Oakham Business Survey The Results (3)

Oakham Town Council Oakham Business Survey 

The Results (3)

Click Here Oakham Town Council Oakham Business Survey Introduction (1)



Click Here Oakham Town Council Oakham Business Survey The Survey (2)



You are Here Oakham Town Council Oakham Business Survey The Results (3)


Click Here Oakham Town Council Oakham Business Survey Comments (4)


Click Here Oakham Town Council Oakham Business Survey Recommendations (5)


www.rutland.gov.uk


www.oakhamtowncouncil.gov.uk
The following percentages relate to the responses received as some respondents failed to respond to all questions.

a. Closure RAF Cottesmore

• 76% believed that the closure of RAF Cottesmore would have a detrimental effect on their trading position.
• 16% thought that the closure would have a marked or serious effect on their business.
• 44% considered there would be little or no consequence on the number of staff employed or the opening hours of the business due to the closure. 
• 16% thought that they would employ fewer staff and/or reduce business opening hours.

b. Closure of HMP Ashwell

• 23% considered that the closure of HMP Ashwell would have a detrimental effect on the business.
• 17% thought that the closure would have a marked or serious effect.
• There were no indication that the closure would entail the employment of fewer staff or areduction in opening hours.

c. Parking

• Only traders in central and inner Oakham identified parking as having a direct effect on their business.
• 35% thought that the availability of parking needed to improve.
• 41% considered parking to be to expensive.
• There was a general feeling that on-street parking time limits should be extended from 1-2 hours as present limits do not allow sufficient time for shopping.
• Parking charges in general should be reviewed and reduced. Respondents could not understand why charges rose on market day when it was hoped Rutland County Council was intending to attract shoppers into the town. The view was that market day charges should at least be the same as any other day or reduced to attract people into the town.
• It was also felt a pay on exit would be a more effective method of collection. Traders reported that some shoppers would suddenly dash from the shop as the end of thier parking time approached and they would lose a sale.
• Comments were made that there should be one free parking space per trading unit and where there was a reliance on volunteers that they should be also provided with a free or subsidised parking.
• Other proposals included; provision of a park and ride; a roving parking ticket that could be transferred between car parks in Oakham and the provision of more cycle racks to assist the reduction in car usage.

d. Tourism 

• 68% stated that tourism was moderately or very important to their business success.
• There was a strong view expressed by many traders that both Oakham Town Council and Rutland County Council needed to invest more in tourism to attract greater numbers of visitors to the town.

e. Expansion of Tesco

• It was the view of 19% of the respondents that the Tesco expansion would assist their business.
• 23% felt that the expansion would be detrimental.
• 58% remained unconcerned about the expansion.

f. Possible Sainsbury Development (Later refused on 15th March 2011)

• 8% thought that the Sainsbury development would be beneficial to their business.
• 39% viewed the development as a problem.
• 53% remained unconcerned.

g. Signage 

• Traders in Gaol Street/Knights Yard commented in the lack of signs at either end of Gaol Street to advertise shopping opportunities in Gaol Street and Knights Yard.
• Likewise business units in Station Approach also commented on the lack of signs on the approach to indicate the units that were located there.

h. Economic and Other Considerations.

• 63% thought that the economy in general was having a negative effect in their trading position.
• 43% of those located in central and inner Oakham stated that the high levels of rent and/or rates were adversely affecting the business. Businesses in Pillings Road, Station Approach and other areas of Oakham did not report this problem,
• 3 respondents that relied on the internet to trade reported the poor broadband connection affected their ability to trade. (Rutland County Council has already declared its intention to install superfast broadband within two years)

Oakham Town Council Oakham Business Survey Introduction (1)

Councillor Alf Dewis and Retiring Councillor Lorna Grey, from Oakham Town Council worked very hard on the following survey.

It was very refreshing to see the report at the last council meeting. If this council continues in this selfless manner there is hope.

A member of the public said to me this morning if I had not published the photographs of Councillors boozing in the park all that time ago, the council would not have fought you and in turn they would not have destroyed our Council.

There are two options as I return to the council we work for the benefit of the town or we dissolve the council.

I really prefer the option of working for the town, if we don't then Rutland County Council will have the final say in all that happens within Oakham

The council needs 6 people in May to come forward for co-option, either to work for the town or to wind up the council, the choice is yours.

I was pleased to speak with Councillor Lorna Grey and would be happy to support her co-option back onto the council to continue her work with Councillor Dewis and any others who are going to be part of the new working group.

Below is the full report compiled from Cllr Dewis and Greys Survey (now I knew I should have kept that scanner)

You are Here Oakham Town Council Oakham Business Survey Introduction (1)


Click Here Oakham Town Council Oakham Business Survey The Survey (2)


Click Here Oakham Town Council Oakham Business Survey The Results (3)

Click Here Oakham Town Council Oakham Business Survey Comments (4)


Click Here Oakham Town Council Oakham Business Survey Recommendations (5)


www.rutland.gov.uk


www.oakhamtowncouncil.gov.uk


1. Introduction

On 15 December 2009, the previous Labour Government announced the proposed closure of RAF Cottesmore by April 2013. Under the Strategic Defence and Security Review, published in October 2010, It was later confirmed that the Harriers would be taken out of service by April 2011 and the base closed by April 2012.


Rutland County Council formed a project group to assess the impact of the closure, support the RAF and prepare for senior level discussions. Oakham Town Council remained concerned about the impact the closure would have on the Town and formed a small working group to undertake a survey of Oakham traders to ascertain the concerns and to find out what the two Councils could do to help traders during this difficult period. During this period there was an announcement that HMP Ashwell was also to close at the end of March 2011 and the perceived effects of this closure were incorporated into the survey.

Oakham Town Council Oakham Business Survey Comments (4)

Oakham Town Council Oakham Business Survey 

Comments (4)

Click Here Oakham Town Council Oakham Business Survey Introduction (1)



Click Here Oakham Town Council Oakham Business Survey The Survey (2)



Click Here Oakham Town Council Oakham Business Survey The Results (3)


You are Here Oakham Town Council Oakham Business Survey Comments (4)


Click Here Oakham Town Council Oakham Business Survey Recommendations (5)


www.rutland.gov.uk


www.oakhamtowncouncil.gov.uk
The survey was prompted because of the perception that the closure of RAF Cottesmore would have a considerable effect on the trading position of businesses in Oakham. The result of the survey indicates this to be the case as 76% of traders felt they would be directly affected, although 44% felt that they would be able to accommodate the fall in trade without any reduction in staff or working hours. Conversely only 15% felt they would need to reduce staff levels or decrease business hours.

On 28th October 2010, Cllr Dewis attended the Rutland County Council Community Services Scrutiny Panel to put forward the Town Council's views on the proposed increase in parking charges. At that meeting he advised that meeting he advised that Oakham Town Council would welcome details regarding the leasing of the car parks to Oakham Town Council so that discussions could be undertaken.
Unfortunately those details have yet to be recieved.

Members will note the increasing number of vacant shops and premises in Oakham that have attracted fly posting and broken windows being boarded up. A check on 21st March 2011 showed 17 premises in the centre of the town were vacant or about to become vacant. A situation that unfortunately gives the impression to both residents and visitors of a town centre in decline and provides a direct contradiction of Rutland County Council's Strategic Aim No.4


'Maintaining High Levels  of Employment and a Thriving Local Economy'


A survey undertaken for the Oakham Town Partnership by the Rutland Market Towns Manager early in 2010 captured similar views of from Oakham Traders.

• 70% of those responding thought that parking charges had a negative effect.
• 66% planned to close and relocate to new premises outside Oakham.
• 60% said their trading performance had declined over the past year, and
• None expected their trading performance to improve in the next twelve months.

Traders felt that the two closures could be offset by a more robust scheme to attract visitors and tourists to the town and that both Oakham Town Council and Rutland County Council could do more in that respect. It has already been acknowledged that Oakham Town Council will undertake a reveiw of its approach to tourism to ensure it is proactive and will incorporate a review of signage, a programme of high profile events (six band concerts have already been arranged for 2011 http://martinbrookes.blogspot.com/2011/04/royal-british-legion-great-poppy-party.html 
) and improved tourist leaflets. Concern was expressed at the closure of the Museum and Castle on Sundays, one of the main tourist days and particularly as the Tourist Information Centre is located in the Museum.


This initiative will need to be undertaken in association with Rutland County Council, the Local Strategic Partnership and the Oakham Town Partnership to involve all concerned and to attempt to eliminate duplication.

Oakham Town Council Oakham Business Survey Recommendations (5)

Oakham Town Council Oakham Business Survey 

Recommendations (5)

Click Here Oakham Town Council Oakham Business Survey Introduction (1)



Click Here Oakham Town Council Oakham Business Survey The Survey (2)



Click Here Oakham Town Council Oakham Business Survey The Results (3)


Click Here Oakham Town Council Oakham Business Survey Comments (4)


You are Here Oakham Town Council Oakham Business Survey Recommendations (5)


www.rutland.gov.uk


www.oakhamtowncouncil.gov.uk
In order to support traders and help provide a more robust trading environment it is recommended that Oakham Town Council:

a. Forms a small working party to review its approach towards tourism.
    The working party to consider signagem a programme of events, tourist
    information and tourist leaflets. The working party to also consider
    what actions the Town Council can take, in association with other bodies, 
    to encourage a more vibrant local economy.

b. Lobbies owners /agents to attempt to ensure that vacant premises are
    maintained to a high standard and are let at the earliest oppertunity.

c. Request detailed information from Rutland County Council regarding 
   the leasing of car parks in Oakham and forms a small working party
   to consider the implications and report to Council.

d. Forwards this report to Rutland County Council for that Council to discuss 
    and take action in association with the Oakham Town Partnership and the
    Local Strategic Partnership on the following:

1. Parking - policy,availability and charges.
2. Tourism implications.
3. Action with the owners/agents on 1. Maintaining vacant premises in Oakham Town Centre to a high standard, and 2. Initiatives for their early lease to return to trading.
4. Signage for Gaol Street/Knights Yard and Station Approach.

Alf Dewis 24th March 2011

Oakham Town Council Oakham Business Survey The Survey (2)

Oakham Town Council Oakham Business Survey 

The Survey (2)

Click Here Oakham Town Council Oakham Business Survey Introduction (1)



You are Here Oakham Town Council Oakham Business Survey The Survey (2)



Click Here Oakham Town Council Oakham Business Survey The Results (3)


Click Here Oakham Town Council Oakham Business Survey Comments (4)


Click Here Oakham Town Council Oakham Business Survey Recommendations (5)


www.rutland.gov.uk


www.oakhamtowncouncil.gov.uk
The survey was undertaken on a face-to-face basis between mid December 2010 and mid February 2011. A total of 64 responses were obtained from traders/owners and were classified into five areas, central Oakham (High Street and roads running off High Street). Inner Oakham (businesses located in the centre of the Town on roads not attached to the High Street) Pillings Road Industrial Estate, Station Approach and other locations in Oakham.


There were:


42 responses from central Oakham
7 responses from inner Oakham
4 responses from Pillings Road 
5 responses from other areas