Newry and Mourne District Council

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Newry City Centre Strategic Development Framework March 2004 No Response Parking for you and your staff 2 30 6 11 18 33 Parking for your customers 2 18 8 10 16 46 Traffic congestion generally 2 5 11 33 19 30 Difficulties off-loading stock 9 35 11 12 14 19 (%) 1 (%) 2 (%) 3 (%) 4 (%) 5 (%) S S S S S S S S 3% said Newry in general needs more parking 3% said parking and traffic congestion are major problems for their customers 2% said parking has improved but could be better 2% said workers should not have to pay for parking in order to go to work 1% of respondents said the only good parking is at the shopping centres 1% view plans to remove parking on Merchants Quay as an attack on businesses 1% suggested the concrete area on the Mall should have been used for parking 1% of respondents said there is a total lack of disabled parking in Kildare Street Upper floors which are vacant in your premises 20 60 3 8 2 7 Other Issues Raised: Competition from other independent traders 4 37 16 27 5 11 Competition from multiples and shopping 8 39 9 18 10 16 centres Difficulties in securing staff 4 31 16 23 15 11 Complying with government legislation 4 36 19 21 9 11 Appearance of area surrounding your 1 27 20 21 9 22 premises Vandalism and anti-social behaviour 1 16 21 19 25 18 Those highlighted in bold indicate the percentage of respondents who rated the issues as of major concern. When ranked using a weighting and scoring system the top three issues in order are: S Parking for your customers S Traffic congestion generally S Parking for you and your staff Respondents were given the opportunity to expand on the above statements or any other matters. 26% responded, some making various comments. 38 comments were generated in total. The issue of parking featured strongly being referred to by 17% of respondents. Parking Issues: S 3% said parking is difficult for their customers and charged parking is driving business away S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S 2% of respondents commented on traffic wardens being too strict 2% referred to the cost of rates in Newry and cited that they are too high 2% said footpaths and exterior of buildings need attention, a further 2% also said the appearance of derelict buildings in Newry sets a bad impression 1% said there is too much vandalism and a further 1% suggested installing CCTV immediately 1% said the traffic in Newry does not allow lorries to off-load while a further 1% of respondents cited offloading lorries as the major cause of congestion 1% said public transport is not good for staff getting to work 1% said the perceived increase in crime is a problem for Newry 1% of respondents said trade dies when the banks on Hill Street are closed 1% are having major problems with bins from other shops 1% said non vets distributing medicines is compromising safety standards 1% of respondents said street sweeping is not done in all areas 1% suggested investing time and money into Canal Street 1% said Newry needs a police service with adequate numbers on the street 1% said it is dangerous crossing the road at Trevor Hill 1% commented that the shopping centres and surrounding areas are well kept 1% commented that traffic problems escalate at peak times and on bank holidays 1% of respondents said there is no environmental plan for Patrick’s Street 1% said the Trevor Hill area is littered with rubbish from take away food outlets at night 1% made the comment that all traders have the same immediate pressures 1% said their staff security should improve with new radio links 1% believe the Council and town centre management are not interested in Merchants Quay 1% of respondents said there are some young people who hang around alleyways causing problems Ferguson McIlveen in association with Mentor and Scott Wilson Page No. 40
Newry City Centre Strategic Development Framework March 2004 2.4 Question 9 covered an extensive range of issues. 36 statements were put to respondents for them to indicate if they ‘strongly agree’, ‘agree’ or ‘strongly disagree’. The following results were recorded. Statement No respons e Strongly Agree Agree Strongly disagree Newry centre looks alive 5 10 56 29 The city centre is attractive in the evenings and weekends People can buy everything they need in the city centre Shop fronts are generally attractive and window displays are inviting City centre shops generally offer friendly service City centre shops generally offer value for money Shop opening hours meet customer needs A loyalty scheme for independent traders would help build trade The city centre is developing a niche that attracts customers The city centre needs a special attraction to draw in visitors 7 2 30 61 3 23 52 22 1 12 70 17 2 21 73 4 2 18 75 5 2 20 69 9 8 24 55 13 6 14 46 34 7 53 29 11 The market is an attraction 2 24 48 26 The centre has good places to eat and drink There are regular events which fill the streets with people 3 27 56 14 6 5 32 58 There are good guides publicising the city 8 3 36 53 All the services which businesses need are available locally It is easy for people to find their way into the city There is a strategy to attract car borne shoppers There are distinct long and short term car parks Parking restrictions and charges are clearly signed 3 12 74 11 3 9 70 18 6 12 42 40 7 3 52 38 3 8 59 30 There are clear directions to attractions and public facilities People, especially women, feel safe using the routes from the car parks There are traffic calming measures to keep speeds down You can cross the main streets easily and safely There is adequate access for people with disabilities on the streets There is adequate access for people with disabilities in shops and public buildings There are visible cycle racks in key locations 5 5 51 39 8 3 55 34 3 6 55 36 5 9 61 25 6 6 61 27 7 7 57 29 7 2 34 57 Streets are kept clean of litter and graffiti 1 6 55 38 The streets are well lit 1 8 73 18 The streets are in good repair 3 9 60 28 Street furniture is in the right place and is well maintained Pavements are uncluttered by poles and signs Businesses look after the area outside their property The police are involved in initiatives to make the centre safer and to cut crime There is a clear vision for the development of the city centre Traders and public bodies are cooperating well together to develop the city centre All traders share the burden equally of promoting the city centre 3 10 67 20 3 6 67 24 3 7 70 20 7 6 37 50 12 6 42 40 10 7 51 32 7 10 33 50 Various statements were rated ‘strongly agree’ by a significant number of respondents. They are as follows. S S S S S 53% strongly agree ‘the city centre needs a special attraction to draw in visitors’ 27% strongly agree ‘the centre has good places to eat and drink’ 24% indicated they strongly agree that ‘the market is an attraction’ 24% strongly agree with a loyalty scheme for independent traders to help build trade 23% strongly agree that ‘people can buy everything they need in the city centre’ Ferguson McIlveen in association with Mentor and Scott Wilson Page No. 41
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Newry and Mourne District Council

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