25. The Health of the Town Centre
To maintain and develop Ross-on-Wye as an interesting and welcoming town centre with a balanced mix of independent and national retailers that encourages residents and visitors alike to shop and access services in it.
To reduce the number of empty units and encourage the upkeep of the fabric of town centre buildings.
To preserve the historic character of the town and reduce traffic congestion.
Results of the questionnaire are encouraging with 90% of respondents indicating that they shop in Ross on a regular basis for food and convenience shopping. The SMART exercise (Advantage West Midlands) which was recently conducted has helped to provide some useful information. Ross has scored highly compared to other market towns but the local perception is that there are too many empty shops and charity shops and not enough independent specialist shops. Ledbury and Monmouth are most often quoted as the most successful town models to emulate.
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Issue |
To maintain and develop Ross-on-Wye as an interesting and welcoming town centre with a balanced mix of independent and national retailers that encourages residents and visitors alike to shop and access services in it. To reduce the number of empty units and encourage the upkeep of the fabric of town centre buildings. To preserve the historic character of the town and reduce traffic congestion.
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Action |
Consider the option to reduce the number of retail units through change of use should be adopted by planners when opportunities arise. Compile a database of property ownership. Ask Herefordshire Council to use enforcement powers when appropriate to deal with unsightly empty properties. The Association of Ross Traders (ART) must be supported to play a leading role in providing ways to improve the retail experience for Ross. See Action for issue 27. A great deal of further analysis is needed.
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Responsibility |
HC, RTC, ART.
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Priority |
High priority. Medium term.
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Progress To Date: |
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Dec 2011 |
A signage working party of the Town Council meets regularly. It is writing a report to be sent to Herefordshire Council on how signage in the town can be improved.
Members of the Town Council continue to work with The Association of Ross Traders to promote Ross as a shopping destination.
Ross Town Council’s Planning and Sustainable Development Committee (P&SDC) continues to comment on and take a keen interest in planning applications that affect the town. It has successfully encouraged Herefordshire Council to adopt its latest Shop Front Guidance, which promotes design sympathetic to an historic built environment, and uses this and the findings of The Town Plan to influence planning decisions. It is encouraging to note that currently a number of properties in the town are undergoing renovation, funded by the private sector, which will result in smarter shop fronts and new living accommodation above. The P&SDC supports applications for change of use for existing retail units to reduce their number as Ross has an above average ratio of shops to population which is considered to be unsustainable. The Civic Society is invited to send representation along to Planning meetings for comment.
The Transport Group of the Town Plan Progress Group continues to look at traffic issues concerning the town. |
March 2011 |
Coach spaces in Red Meadow car park made permanent. |
| June 2010 |
A number of coach spaces in Red Meadow car park are being trialled. Supported by RTC, County and Town Councillors and ART (Six months experiment). |
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