United we stand (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

United we stand

8:00am Friday 3rd February 2012 in Chippenham

Worried traders have banded together to fight for their future as Chippenham gears up for major development.

Developer ING has signed a deal to buy a three-acre site including the Bridge Centre and Bath Road car park.

And it is believed their plans involve building a budget hotel, a two-storey car park and around 20 retail units. That development will bring with it interest from major multi-national retailers.

Now, fearful of how the changes may affect them, small businesses have formed the Chippenham Independent Traders Association.

More than 30 businesses went to their first meeting last week.

Debbie Hawkins, co-owner of Headways hair salon, at The Bridge, is one of the organisers.

She said: “The Bath Road deal is going to happen and that will have a huge effect on businesses. For example, I am coming to the end of my six-year lease and we would want to know all of the facts about what is going to happen before we committed to another one.

“I am Chippenham born and bred and took a chance opening a business in the town centre. I have put a lot into the town and I feel it is unfair to expect me to make decisions about the future of the business without knowing what is going to be happening round the corner.

“And it isn’t just my business – that information could have an impact on the decisions a lot of independent traders take in the coming months.

“But if, say, we lose the Bath Road car park and end up with loads of empty shops, that would be terrible for businesses at this end of town. We just want to be part of the decision-making process. We want Chippenham to grow and to thrive and we want to be part of that.”

Maureen Hall, owner of The Craft Company, in New Road, said planners and the council need to ensure traders are not affected by the development.

She said: “Whenever there are developments or roadworks it has a huge effect on small businesses like ours and there is never any compensation.

“We are just meant to carry on regardless. People go out of business when this sort of thing happens. It is easy for the bigger companies to ride it out but not for us.”

Steve Webb, owner of Buckles fish bar, said: “We all hope this will be a focal point for independent traders to receive information and react, as well as an opportunity to be proactive about the changes in Chippenham.

“It is for everyone’s benefit to make the town better and I say that as a trader and a resident.”

Rob Perks, chairman of Chippenham Chamber of Commerce, said: “The rumours about the hotel and the units fit into what the council had hoped for.”

Phil Stanier, speaking on behalf of ING, said there would be a full consultation with local businesses prior to development taking place.

He said: “This will be a retail-led scheme involving mainly surface parking, meaning a two-storey car park does seem unlikely.

“We are exploring all options when it comes to other developments, including the idea of a hotel, but it will primarily be retail-led.”