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How to get the tills ringing again in empty shops
(May 03, 2009)IT TOOK just four days after being suggested at a very low key town seminar, a tiny leaflet drop, and a brief mention on an innovative local website for the latest idea to re-vitalise the shops in Warminster and boost the local economy to capture the public imagination.
"One young person spoke to me at length about their idea," explained Paul Macdonald who assured them that it would remain just between them for now.
"I don't want someone else pinching the idea," they said. "It is a bit unusual. There is a demand for it. Just like cinema took off again so I think this would work.
As the young person was under 25 years old Paul suggested that he contact the Prince of Wales Trust which immediately brought a response.
'Wow!' You are switched on!"
Co-author of visionforwarminster.co.uk Paul Macdonald accepted an invite to attend a town council hosted meeting over coffee and biscuits on Wednesday evening and took the opportunity to propose a council led initiative.
"My idea was for the town council to take a bold step by renting an empty shop in the town," explained Paul.
"They would then run an 'Alan Sugar like' challenge that would allow those who may be on the verge of taking their business project forward but a little bit unsure the chance to do so with help.
"It would have to be innovative introducing something new to Warminster. Obviously it could not compete with established council unsupported businesses.
"Uniquely we have a dolls house shop along Copheap and what I describe as a reptile enterprise in East Street and another similar enterprise in George Street and the picture framers in Chinns Yard as examples already running."
Paul's vision is for the town council to act as the starter motor bringing in the relevant expertise with pump priming money and advice from the disparate numerous agencies that exist.
The new business would start with the knowledge that it would have a sensible rent and services charge and two years to establish itself.
The proposal would then see the town council repeat the process either at the end of the two years or if the proprietors indicated they they were happy to stand on their own two feet earlier.
"I forgot to ask where they read or heard about about our idea. It is wonderful that it was a young potential entrepreneur.
"It is so encouraging that our website or the fact that it appeared briefly on the latest 100 leaflets that I delivered can got this response so quickly."t took just four days after being suggested at a very low key town seminar, a tiny leaflet drop, and a brief mention on an innovative local website for the latest idea to re-vitalise the shops in Warminster and boost the local economy to capture the public imagination.
"One young person spoke to me at length about their idea," explained Paul Macdonald who assured them that it would remain just between them for now.
"I don't want someone else pinching the idea," they said. "It is a bit unusual. There is a demand for it. Just like cinema took off again so I think this would work.
As the young person was under 25 years old Paul suggested that he contact the Prince of Wales Trust which immediately brought a response.
'Wow!' You are switched on!"
Co-author of visionforwarminster.co.uk Paul Macdonald accepted an invite to attend a town council hosted meeting over coffee and biscuits on Wednesday evening and took the opportunity to propose a council led initiative.
"My idea was for the town council to take a bold step by renting an empty shop in the town," explained Paul.
"They would then run an 'Alan Sugar like' challenge that would allow those who may be on the verge of taking their business project forward but a little bit unsure the chance to do so with help.
"It would have to be innovative introducing something new to Warminster. Obviously it could not compete with established council unsupported businesses.
"Uniquely we have a Dolls House shop along Copheap and what I describe as a reptile enterprise in East Street and another similar enterprise in George Street and the picture framers in Chinns yard as examples already running."
Paul's vision is for the town council to act as the starter motor bringing in the relevant expertise with pump priming money and advice from the disparate numerous agencies that exist.
The new business would start with the knowledge that it would have a sensible rent and services charge and two years to establish itself.
The proposal would then see the town council repeat the process either at the end of the two years or if the proprietors indicated they they were happy to stand on their own two feet earlier.
"I forgot to ask where they read or heard about about our idea. It is wonderful that it was a young potential entrepreneur.
"It is so encouraging that our website or the fact that it appeared briefly on the latest 100 leaflets that I delivered can got this response so quickly."
Promoted and published by Steve Dancey of 21 Newport, Warminster, and Paul Macdonald, of 144 Boreham Field, Warminster.