Drunks and empty shops are killing Wolverhampton, warns new report
Wolverhampton risks losing shoppers, families and business visitors unless it addresses its drinking culture and lack of attractions, a critical report has found.
According to retail experts, the city centre is in desperate need of more restaurants and is missing 25 of the top 100 national shopping brands such as Superdry, Monsoon and Laura Ashley. It currently has 17 per cent of shops empty - while the national average is 10.6 per cent.
And Wolverhampton also suffers because it does not have a proper car parking plan, the consultants Bruton Knowles and HollissVincent state.
"Recent investment in Telford and Birmingham city centres have challenged Wolverhampton's attractiveness as a shopping destination. In order to improve its position, Wolverhampton will need to consolidate, enhance and diversify its retail and leisure offer," the report states.
The findings form part of Wolverhampton City Council's long-term plan to boost the centre by attracting new businesses, shops, and creating more jobs.
It highlights shortcomings in attracting families and business workers to stay in the city on an evening - as well as a lack of 'quality' space to attract big name shopping brands that are already at Merry Hill and Telford. It also suggests that a cinema could help revitalise the city centre.
"The evening economy is dominated by a 'vertical drinking culture', geared towards students," the report states.
"A key criticism of the leisure offer is that there are very few restaurants particularly for the business community and families. A more diverse evening economy should be encouraged to attract a wider variety of visitors and compete with other destinations."
It adds: "Analysis of a basket of 100 national multiple retailers has indicated that 75 are currently represented in Wolverhampton. Of the 25 missing from the city most are low to middle-end fashion retailers such as Zara, French Connection, Gap, Superdry, Monsoon and Laura Ashley. Although many of these are already represented in competing centres at Merry Hill and Telford."
City centre car parking charges have long been the cause of frustration for traders and shoppers, with free parking available at Merry Hill and Bentley Bridge.
The consultants said: "Our research has highlighted the immediate need for the city to develop a comprehensive car parking strategy. Failure to do so will both undermine investment and delay delivery of key projects within the city core. Conversely if addressed, new car parking can create value, generate revenues for the city council and improve the viability of new developments."
But it not all negative. The report highlights the redevelopment at Wolverhampton railway station and the sale of the Mander Centre to Benson Elliot for £59 million with its commitment for a £30m revamp - and the impending arrival of Debenhams - as signs of improvement.
Ninder Johal, president of the Black Country Chamber of Commerce, said: "The high street and the city centre have gone through major change and will continue to change. We know that big out-of-town developments have also had to adjust how they work so there is an opportunity for Wolverhampton to map out its future. We need to have a balanced city centre economy that covers night and day and includes leisure as well as shopping to create an all round package.
"Wolverhampton, like other cities, has struggled but as the city of the Black Country it needs to project a positive way forward. City centres are important - for the people who live and work in them and to visitors because the city centre projects an image for the city as a whole.
"I think car parking charges should be curtailed as they are a serious inpediment to footfall and occupancy rates of shops and businesses. I know the council has financial problems but I think removing charges would see improved business rates and income."
Councillor Peter Bilson, regeneration and economy boss at Wolverhampton City Council, added: "We have exciting plans to regenerate the city centre and the report by Bruton Knowles makes it clear that key to supporting these ambitions is the supply of more high quality, secure and accessible parking.
"In addition to recently granting planning permission for 500 additional parking places at the railway station, we will be undertaking a review, as recommended by Bruton Knowles, of car parking provision in the city centre. This will be with a view to developing a strategy for the future that anticipates the delivery of key regeneration projects."
