Churchgate Development - Concerns of One Business Owner

Serious concerns about the new Churchgate Development in

Hitchin were raised at the recent Churchgate Liaison Forum (CLF).  With many residents feeling that the

development was too risky with no tangible evidence that there is a need for

the proposed extra shops.

Hitchin People interviewed Sophie Clark of Dressing Room

Boutique in the current Churchgate Shopping Centre about how the new

development might impact on her business. 

Q.  Tell us briefly

about your shop - where it is and what it sells and how long you have been

there. 

A.  "My shop is Dressing Room Boutique in the Churchgate Shopping Centre. We

sell vintage and new dressing room furniture, dressing tables, costume

jewellery, The Soap Shop products, mirrors, gifts, Jelly Belly candles and lots

more. We have been here for 1 year, celebrating our 1st birthday on 20th November."

Q.  What is your opinion of the Churchgate Shopping Centre as it is at present? 

A.  "The Churchgate is a well used area of the town which has a big foot fall of people. It has a some lovely small shops which help make Hitchin well known for 'one off ' unique shops. All it needs is a little face lift, knocking it down would ruin the character of Hitchin."

Q.  What made you

decide to open your shop where you did?  

A.  "We have always loved shopping in Hitchin and a unique boutique like us works well and fits in with the customers needs and style of Hitchin."

Q.  Has anyone from

the Council or the developers, Simons approached you for feedback on the

new plans?   .

A.  "We visited a meeting which was held with the Churchgate Members and Simons which gave us the chance to find out more and voice our views. Still made us very unsure on what will go ahead and leaves all of us very 'up in the air' with future plans."

Q.  From what you

understand, will you be able to continue to trade where you are during and

after the development?  

A.  "We might be able to from Simons' point of view but from ours, no we won't. It will take too long to wait for the building work to be completed and the rates for a small business once it is completed would be considerably more than we currently pay. So it's not even a option for some of us."

Q.  If you are unable

to stay where you are - has anyone spoken to you about where you will be able

to trade from?   

A.  "Very little has been said along them lines. I am really not sure and Simons couldn't give us an answer."

Q.  Do you anticipate

the development will have a negative impact on your revenue? Has the Council

offered you any reassurance/advice regarding this?  

A.  "The whole idea has a negative impact for us. No nothing from the council has been received at all!"

Q.  What is your

opinion of the plans for the redevelopment?  

A.  "Awful we totally disagree that it should go ahead, not only because we will be knocked down first and a car park will be going where we are until the market has been redone. It's also going to have an impact on the whole of Hitchin. Small businesses make Hitchin special and if they are knocking us down it will be even harder for any of us to get back up again."

Q.  In your opinion,

what is the general reaction to the development plans from the other traders

where you are? 

A.  "You would have to talk to them, but from the Chuchgate shop members I have spoke to, all of them totally disagree with the plans to destroy our shops and are very sad to think this might be what the future holds for us."  

What are your thoughts about the new development?