Retailers United

Press release

5th October 2005

RETAILERS UNITE IN SHREWSBURY TOWN CENTRE!

A BRAND NEW TRADE ASSOCATION FOR RETAILERS IN THE CENTRE OF SHREWSBURY.

There are over 700 retail businesses in Shrewsbury town centre and a brand new collective has been formed to draw this trade group together.  The aims of the group are to contribute to marketing the town as a prime retail destination, develop seasonal campaigns and events, work with local councils to make serious improvements to the street environment and network with business neighbours.

The background to the choice of name is the 'uniting' of retailers large and small in Shrewsbury Town Centre so that these businesses can take Shrewsbury to the top of the premier league of UK shopping destinations.

Shrewsbury's unique selling point continues to be its wide array of individual shops – the jewels in the crown of this glorious English Town.  Add these unique and unusual shops to the 1 million square feet of shopping, set in one of the most lovely town centres in the country and you have one of the least clone-like towns in the country.  The accessibility of 23 acres of lush town park with a 2-mile waterfront, a central railway station and a Park and Ride service second to none and you have a true shopper's delight.

This traders group is a revolutionary new 'model' for a business forum and is backed by one of the founding member organisations - The Learning and Skills Council, Shropshire who are anxious to discover the skills needs in this important industry sector.

The Chair of the group is Simon Airey, a retailer in Shrewsbury for over 20 years, Simon has worked with the West End Regeneration Group for 9 years to bring trade back to the West End of Shrewsbury following the loss of the bus stations in Barker Street.  Simon is Deputy Chair Shrewsbury Business Chamber and is heavily involved in local action groups because he feels that there is little point sitting back and just complaining.  At last night's launch, Simon told fellow retailers of the vision for this new trade group – with the key objective to deliver REAL results to improve retail business in Shrewsbury.

The Management Board come from a broad cross section of retailers and will meet bi-monthly to discuss seasonal campaigns, compare notes with other businesses, liase with Destination Shrewsbury on promotional activities and review transport and access issues with the County Council [the Highways Authority for the town centre].

Shrewsbury Enterprise Partnership operates the secretariat of the scheme, with the Chair and both vice-chairs are from the Retail Sector

The official Launch took place on Tuesday 4th October at the Enterprising Britons unit in the Darwin Shopping Centre – over 50 traders attended and new members discussed the objectives for the group, trading, parking and transport issues for the town centre and signed up for the brand new Christmas Shopping Campaign currently on the drawing board and managed by Retailers United.   A brand new website designed by local company 'Smart Management' was also launched last night www.retailersunited.co.uk carries comprehensive information on the new group and an on line registration facility.

Fay Easton, secretary for the Management Board said:
"It is invaluable for retailers to get together and discuss local trading conditions.  With the retail sector in the UK predicted to suffer a slow down over the coming months, it is vital that the businesses act together to minimise any negative effects and work collectively in devising campaigns and events to attract more people to Shrewsbury town centre"

Membership of Retailers United will be FREE for the first 6 months and the Management Board has representation from 9 separate town centre zones – some 'zone' reps are still being sought.
Please email any interest to info@retailersunited.co.uk

info@shrewsburyenterprise.co.uk or Telephone 01743 246988