A computer generated image issued by the John Lewis Partnership for the front elevation of their proposed Newbury Store.
Confirmation of a John Lewis “At Home” store for Newbury (as originally revealed by newbury.net 29th March 2010) has been greeted as a major vote of confidence in the town by West Berkshire’s Chief Executive, Nick Carter. In a press release from the John Lewis Partnership, he is quoted as saying 'This is great news for West Berkshire. When we started the Parkway project we hoped that big names would be attracted to the scheme, so this announcement from John Lewis is perfect. Their arrival represents another milestone in Newbury's development, a major vote of confidence in the town and the springboard for further economic success.'
John Lewis has committed to investing £8 million in Newbury which will boost local employment with the creation of around 160 new jobs. Focusing on furniture, furnishing accessories, electrical and home technology, John Lewis at home Newbury will trade from two levels totalling 40,000 sq ft.
Andy Street, Managing Director, John Lewis, said: 'We continue to believe that there is a strong opportunity to grow our business in the home and electricals sector and are delighted to be bringing a John Lewis at home to Newbury town centre. Although there are a number of John Lewis department stores within an hour's drive of Newbury, research has shown that customers would prefer greater convenience and ease of access to our inspiring products, great value and exceptional service, which our town centre 'at home' shop will provide.'
The John Lewis at home concept successfully launched in Poole in October 2009. Three further shops opened in 2010 in Croydon, Swindon and Tunbridge Wells.
To allow customers to access and order a wider John Lewis assortment from johnlewis.com, customer online ordering points will be located throughout John Lewis at home in Newbury and customers will also be able to use the free John Lewis Click and Collect service.
Tim Harrison, head of format development, John Lewis, added: 'The success of existing John Lewis at home shops has demonstrated that a smaller format works and has given us the confidence to continue to extend our reach. The Parkway development in Newbury is a good fit for us in terms of location and catchment and is a great opportunity to bring our 'at home' format to Berkshire, providing customers with a broader and more convenient shopping offer.'
The Parkway development, opening in October this year (2011), is a 475,000 sq ft mixed-use scheme being developed by Standard Life Investments. One of the only three new shopping centres scheduled to open in the UK in 2011, Parkway will deliver 295,000 sq ft of shops and restaurants, a 550 space shopper car park, and 147 stylish new apartments.
James Stevens, Head of UK Development at Standard Life Investments, said: 'We are delighted to welcome John Lewis at home to Parkway. This is the culmination of months of hard work with all our stakeholders to bring this fantastic new addition to our list of shops. This is a great vote of confidence for Parkway and Newbury and we look forward to welcoming even more top quality shops to the scheme in the coming months.'
This is a great vote of confidence for Parkway and Newbury and we look forward to welcoming even more top quality shops to the scheme in the coming months.'
I wonder how much more open space will be conceded to achieve that?
Those steps look pretty steep, hope they're not the only way into that end of Parkway.
Should be interesting when someone drives their motobility scooter down them. May even be a bit of a struggle for mum loaded with furniture or other goods from said shop, negotiating her pushchair and two other toddlers down them.
Am I the only person who does not want more generic big name clone businesses in Newbury?
What I wish for most. Is some sort of drive or incentive to encourage the proliferation of unique independent businesses. Newbury needs unique content to make a trip in more worthwhile. Than just being an identical copy of every other town center within range.
Now that JL are "investing £8m in Newbury, maybe Standard Life can now afford the extra £2m they squeezed out of WBC for those promised town improvements.
Am I the only person who does not want more generic big name clone businesses in Newbury?
What I wish for most. Is some sort of drive or incentive to encourage the proliferation of unique independent businesses. Newbury needs unique content to make a trip in more worthwhile. Than just being an identical copy of every other town center within range.
There are some great unique local businesses in Newbury. Barry Forkin, Nature's Corner, Torr's Boutique, Roderick Anthony, Griffins, the list goes on.
The trouble with some independent traders is they're hobbyists trying to make money out of doing what they love, with little business sense or experience of running a shop.
There are some great unique local businesses in Newbury. Barry Forkin, Nature's Corner, Torr's Boutique, Roderick Anthony, Griffins, the list goes on.
The trouble with some independent traders is they're hobbyists trying to make money out of doing what they love, with little business sense or experience of running a shop.
If they weren't hobbyists they'd be greedy gits looking to profit out of us?
There are some great unique local businesses in Newbury. Barry Forkin, Nature's Corner, Torr's Boutique, Roderick Anthony, Griffins, the list goes on.
The trouble with some independent traders is they're hobbyists trying to make money out of doing what they love, with little business sense or experience of running a shop.
The "trouble" with independent traders is they don't get payouts/sweeteners etc etc like the "big boys". As for having little business sense - you know nothing (for example) of my "business sense" or financial situation whatsoever so don't see how you can make that remark ? Furthermore just because someone on the high street is perceived as being successful - it doesn't mean they are - look at Woolies for example - who would have thought it ? I also know of one particular independent trader in Newbury who has been here a fair while and appears to be a success - however, if you dig deeper they have actually been in receivership twice and changed "directors" - think "phoenix from the flames" is the expression. I think we would all be "successful" if we wrote off our debts when it suited don't you ?
The trouble with some independent traders is they're hobbyists trying to make money out of doing what they love, with little business sense or experience of running a shop.
I could see that as being possible, but I'd like to see your evidence to support this.
The trouble with some independent traders is they're hobbyists trying to make money out of doing what they love, with little business sense or experience of running a shop.
Would you care to go into an independent Bakery in Cheap Street & explain that to the proprietor. Just let me know when you are going so i can come & watch !!
Am I the only person who does not want more generic big name clone businesses in Newbury?
What I wish for most. Is some sort of drive or incentive to encourage the proliferation of unique independent businesses. Newbury needs unique content to make a trip in more worthwhile. Than just being an identical copy of every other town center within range.
There will need to be a sesmic shift in the cost of renting retail space in Newbury for this to happen.
Am I the only person who does not want more generic big name clone businesses in Newbury?
Ironically, JL is probably the "least" of the clone-type stores to which you refer that we will see in Newbury with the opening of Parkway. In fact, one could argue that the John Lewis at home strore could bring people into town that would otherwise have to go to Reading or their other branches. As far as the majority of other stores in PW are concerned, I tend to agree, although there are some interesting additions.
What I wish for most. Is some sort of drive or incentive to encourage the proliferation of unique independent businesses. Newbury needs unique content to make a trip in more worthwhile. Than just being an identical copy of every other town center within range.
Unfortunately, I think you are about 30 years too late if it's a town full of independents that you are after. The internet and chains have killed that off. Independents can do well, but they need a hook, like Barry Forkin. People go there for things that are hard to find in the chain hardware stores, but that people still want to buy. That is the key here - things people still want/need to buy. Independent shops that sell knick-knacks or trinkets are of little real use once the novelty factor has worn off.
Take the new sweet shop for instance. Full of very nice things I'm sure. But when I went in there I found it terribly over-priced. Plus, they're just sweets. Nothing that people absolutely have to have. So, when money is tight, they'll pass by.
Would you care to go into an independent Bakery in Cheap Street & explain that to the proprietor. Just let me know when you are going so i can come & watch !!
Again, I don't think he named any one retailer. But I think User's point is pretty accurate. We've had a few independent retailers on here in the past telling us how hard things are for them, and blaming a variety of reasons for poor takings. But often the shops that close down do so because they are shops that sell things that aren't everyday essentials or things that people will go out of their way to buy.
People obviously run shops for a variety of reasons. Those who are driven to success and the pursuit of money above most other things usually identify either a gap in the market, or a means of delivering a product or service better than or cheaper than the competition. Others, have a different mindset and start a business doing something that is either an extension of a hobby, or something that at the very least they take an interest in. It is often these shops that have a hard trading time, because they don't appeal to the public at large. So, to be a success in such circumstances requires plenty of imaginative marketing, just to make sure that your store isn't forgotten about. Start a shop that sells antique buttons or Bonsai trees, for example, and unless you can think of a way to persuade people that they need antique buttons or Bonsai trees you'll have a hard time making ends meet. It's not rocket science.
A good example of independent retailers that know what they are doing are the "tat shop" owners. The ones that take on a very short lease somewhere, don't even put up a proper sign outside, and just sell really cheap crap. Once people get fed up with it, they go somewhere else. Now, the places look awful, and they sell rubbish, but at least they know that there isn't long-term demand in one place for the stuff that they sell, so they figure out how to make it profitable in the long term.
I'm not sure that you were referred to directly...
I know I was not referred to directly ... but would like to know how you define a business as being successful ? Torr Boutique was given as an example - well she has only been there a few months so I wouldn't rate that a success. The Lighting Centre is closing after 64 years - well that obviously WAS a success for a long time. I would be interested to hear users definition of success ?
The "trouble" with independent traders is they don't get payouts/sweeteners etc etc like the "big boys". As for having little business sense - you know nothing (for example) of my "business sense" or financial situation whatsoever so don't see how you can make that remark ?
I can make that remark because I wasn't referring to you, unless you feel you're a hobbyist trying to make money out of doing what you love, with little business sense or experience of running a shop, in which case I'd be right.
Unfortunately the south of the town is suffering considerable hardship for a multitude of reasons. Not least of these has been the attitude of the parking regime which has discouraged many shoppers from the area over the last 2 years. The gasworks both in Cheap Street and Bartholomew Street caused considerable hardship particularly in the run up to Christmas (as Paula has already indicated). Southern Gas Networks did pay a penalty in the region of £32,000 for overrunning on their work. Unfortunately this money will just disappear into the coffers at West Berks because of the strict criteria for what the money can be used for.
Parking is a problem in Cheap Street, they have lost the car park where the cinema is located. They also suffered continuous hardship with the road closures while the cinema was being built. Unfortunately when customers are forced to find an alternative, they are very reluctant to return. The blanked out units of the cinema aren't helping and even the cinema itself has blanked out that big panoramic window on the corner.
The estate agents are all moving out one by one. They seem to be moving to the clocktower end of town, which they are all expecting will benefit from the new Debenhams store which if you remember was paid £4 Million to move.
Currys digital will be closing their Northbrook Street store in August. ELC have already announced their closure. The future of HMV and Waterstones appears to be uncertain. Barclays are closing both of their branches and moving into Parkway, as are Fat Face and Jones the Bootmaker. There are still unfilled units in Parkway. How many retailers already trading in Newbury will move from their existing premises into Parkway now that John Lewis are being used as the catalyst?
It has been suggested that Primark have been looking at Newbury. Yes they have, but I understand that there is now not a suitable sized unit available for them in Parkway. Perhaps they have their eye on the old Debenhams unit?????
Whichever way things shake out, the future does not look good for the independents in Newbury. As someone else said: Use them or lose them.
Why would you want to, they have an excellent Park and Ride from both sides
Because BrianB stated that the reason for Cheap St & Bart St traders suffering was the loss of parking near to the shops either permanently or temporarily.
Why would you want to, they have an excellent Park and Ride from both sides
From all four sides.
They also have almosty three times as many residents, a lot of tourists and a lot of students, enough to support many independent shops, top quality museums, and a range of activities, gigs, etc - which in turn attract more people. Newbury has neither the thousands of tourists nor the thousands of students. The only reason for someone from north of the Ilsleys to come to Newbury rather than Oxford is the ease of parking in the town centre.
Comparing Newbury to Oxford is even worse than the normal comparisons with Basingstoke and Reading. Wokingham has been suggested for comparison; other similar sized (30-60,000) towns not too far away are Abingdon, Banbury, Chippenham, Salisbury, Winchester and Andover. Though none of these are as populous as Newbury/Thatcham (based on ONS statistics from 2001). The nearest equivalents in size are Farnborough and Aldershot.
In the 50-60,000 bracket I think Newbury/Thatcham compares well to Farnborough and Aldershot, I know I would prefer to live here than in either of those.
Take the new sweet shop for instance. Full of very nice things I'm sure. But when I went in there I found it terribly over-priced. Plus, they're just sweets. Nothing that people absolutely have to have. So, when money is tight, they'll pass by.
I thought the new sweet shop was part of a national chain/franchise?
I've just been chatting to an 86 year old lady in Craven Road who won't go into town any more as she finds the Parkway development too upsetting. Funnily, I have yet to meet anyone (other than kids) who actually like the development.
I've just been chatting to an 86 year old lady in Craven Road who won't go into town any more as she finds the Parkway development too upsetting.
Did she go into why exactly she found a shopping development so upsetting that it stops her from going into town? It's possibly the most bizzare thing I've ever heard.
Quoted from 26
I have yet to meet anyone (other than kids) who actually like the development.
The opposite is true for me. I have no problem with it (apart from thinking that it would have been nicer had it been no more than two storeys), and pretty much everyone that I know can't wait for it to open.
Whichever way things shake out, the future does not look good for the independents in Newbury. As someone else said: Use them or lose them.
People will use independents if they offer goods and services people need at competitive prices, are convenient easy to access and offer good service. If they find chains that offer a better combination of those things, they'll use them. Sentiment isn't part of the equation: the vast majority don't particularly care whether they're shopping at an independent or a chain.
Incidentally, to add to your list, I see that Ann Summers seems to have shut up shop and I gather the Northbrook St Starbucks will be moving into Parkway.
Of course, there's no reason why high streets have to be stuffed with shops. Once most high streets would have included a fair number of residential properties. Perhaps we'll see more residential developments in the town centre in the future. That would be a very good thing, in my view, for a number of reasons.
Did she go into why exactly she found a shopping development so upsetting that it stops her from going into town? It's possibly the most bizzare thing I've ever heard.
Did she go into why exactly she found a shopping development so upsetting that it stops her from going into town? It's possibly the most bizzare thing I've ever heard.
Bizarre to you maybe, but I was quite moved by her genuine upset at the way the town is changing.
I've just been chatting to an 86 year old lady in Craven Road who won't go into town any more as she finds the Parkway development too upsetting. Funnily, I have yet to meet anyone (other than kids) who actually like the development.
The opposite is true for me. I have no problem with it (apart from thinking that it would have been nicer had it been no more than two storeys), and pretty much everyone that I know can't wait for it to open.
People who dislike Parkway are usually said to be against all development - but most aren't. What upsets us is the scale of the development - they should never have been allowed to build so high or to build over the roadway almost into the park (just look at Brian's pictures earlier in the thread).
People who dislike Parkway are usually said to be against all development - but most aren't. What upsets us is the scale of the development - they should never have been allowed to build so high or to build over the roadway almost into the park (just look at Brian's pictures earlier in the thread).
Considering the ugly mess that was there before, the Parkway development is an overall improvement on the area. Not my choice of design, and maybe a little too high, but that end of the town centre badly needed some development and investment.
Considering the ugly mess that was there before, the Parkway development is an overall improvement on the area. Not my choice of design, and maybe a little too high, but that end of the town centre badly needed some development and investment.
It wasn't pretty before, but in mid summer with all the trees and open space it was fine. To say a 'little too high' is an understatement and no-way do I see it as an improvement. Anyway, why did the area 'badly need improvement'? The area was broadly derelict, why did it need to be built on?
It wasn't pretty before, but in mid summer with all the trees and open space it was fine. To say a 'little too high' is an understatement and no-way do I see it as an improvement. Anyway, why did the area 'badly need improvement'? The area was broadly derelict, why did it need to be built on?
Maybe you have answered your own question in part. I am not saying Parkway is perfect, but it is better than an ugly derelict piece of land. It also will continue to create jobs for local people.
My whole family is very glad it is being built and our house is very near to it. It improves Newbury which, lets be honest, isn't the prettiest of towns thanks to previous development!
Maybe you have answered your own question in part. I am not saying Parkway is perfect, but it is better than an ugly derelict piece of land. It also will continue to create jobs for local people. My whole family is very glad it is being built and our house is very near to it. It improves Newbury which, lets be honest, isn't the prettiest of towns thanks to previous development! Regards
How does it improve Newbury? More bloody shops. Whoopee do. If this was a recreational centre I might have a little more sympathy, but as it is a mountainous ugly building, throwing a sinister shadow over the park as if to threaten its future; I'd rather a derelict site.
This site just adds to the obnoxious decisions made previously. Newbury wasn't always like this; this is largely a post war act of vandalism.
How does it improve Newbury? More bloody shops. Whoopee do. If this was a recreational centre I might have a little more sympathy, but as it is a mountainous ugly building, throwing a sinister shadow over the park as if to threaten its future; I'd rather a derelict site.
This site just adds to the obnoxious decisions made previously. Newbury wasn't always like this; this is largely a post war act of vandalism.
A development such as Parkway gets my approval because it is developing a town centre brownfield site - where shops should be. It is far better than an out of town shopping mall built on greenfield land where everyone has to drive to it. I appreciate Parwkay has generated criticism from some as to its design and size, but overall it will have a positive effect. I do not see how a derelict site is better.
It wasn't pretty before, but in mid summer with all the trees and open space it was fine. To say a 'little too high' is an understatement and no-way do I see it as an improvement. Anyway, why did the area 'badly need improvement'? The area was broadly derelict, why did it need to be built on?
Developers and planners need to make money some how? Empty space; develop it. Get the local council to give you the land as well and get even more concessions from them after starting and developers are in a win win situation. Councils need to be seen to be doing something when a town is going to the dogs. As usual the council are trying to copy other towns who have managed to expand the shopping experience that councils say we all need. Pity it is far too late. The recession caused by the gambling bankers has meant retail figures have fallen and people have less money to spend. The only way new shops are being let is because existing retailers in effect are being bribed to move from existing premises probably to the detriment of other parts of the town. Still when the other parts of the town become derelict the developers and planners will move in again with the latest fad and perhaps Park Way will then become derelict again. Continuous cycle........
and profligate, reckless governments who did not regulate them properly, borrowed far too much whilst (one in particular) promising us no more boom and bust.
I would agree that the sight of the derelict parkway area was less than attractive and I also agree that development was needed but at the risk of repeating (see earlier threads), there was a rather attractive planning application which was put forward some while ago which was smaller, more in keeping and wouldn't have potentially killed the southern end of the town. It fell by the wayside because, probably, it wasn't a big enough ego trip for the vision councillors and planners. We now have a major oversized development with underground car parking which is a haven for crime, a developer who, as a private commercial contractor, can close down the parkway bridge because it gets in his way, a bit like the road closure by the cinema developer, bribe retailers from other parts of the town to take up space and to go back on one of the selling points of the project which increases the claustrophobic closeness to the park boundary to add a monolithic block called a second anchor store. We have a council who have happily given away land for a peppercorn, failed to honour the value of the compulsory purchases and knocked down historical buildings to further their biased view of what Newbury needs and allowed an addition that should have been planned for from the outset, totally blind to the fact that the developer knew exactly what they were about from the beginning.
Developers and planners need to make money some how? Empty space; develop it. Get the local council to give you the land as well and get even more concessions from them after starting and developers are in a win win situation. Councils need to be seen to be doing something when a town is going to the dogs.
But Newbury wasn't 'going to the dogs'. Perhaps it is now, but Parkway will make things worse, not better. Things like congestion, crime, anti social behaviour will not be helped by bringing yet more punters in to shop and yet more low-paid part-time jobs.
Going to the dogs? If people believed that, they wouldn't have put private money into a scheme like the obnoxious Parkway obscenity. Parkway serves me one thing (for what it is worth): don't vote for Tories or Lib Dems; they are synonymous.
Greenham is right though. If you want to blame anything for the fact that Newbury has grown enormously over the past 100 years, blame the town's location (its access to major road and rail routes, Heathrow, the south coast and London), which makes it a very good place to do business and capitalism. You won't agree with me, but I think you're crediting Councillors and officials with much more say over all this than they actually have. At the end of the day, money speaks and Standard Life, Vodafone, Tesco, the housebuilders, landowners and the rest decide the future of Newbury.
That is fair and I realise I am likely to be in a minority, but even if councillors are in truth powerless, they can still object if they so wish. The fact they haven't must mean they endorse it. It they couldn't 'afford' to object, then that draws into question the whole political system.
From my view , both the Lib Dems and the Tories have endorsed the worse things that have been done in the Newbury district. Parkway and the approval for a building of a huge warehouse on Greenham Common (in the Lib dems case, this was the Sainsbury's depot that in effect set a precedent).
That is fair and I realise I am likely to be in a minority, but even if councillors are in truth powerless, they can still object if they so wish. The fact they haven't must mean they endorse it. It they couldn't 'afford' to object, then that draws into question the whole political system.
From my view , both the Lib Dems and the Tories have endorsed the worse things that have been done in the Newbury district. Parkway and the building of a huge warehouse on Greenham Common (in the Lib dems case, this was the Sainsbury's depot that in effect set a precedent).
Yes money speaks and councillors jump. Hence my stating the reference to local Mafia. Some certain locals only have to make the suggestion of developing some project or other and before you know it the council seems to have it approved. Others not associated with this clique are unable to even get some simple planning permissions approved without endless hassle. The question must be asked why this is?
But Newbury wasn't 'going to the dogs'. Perhaps it is now, but Parkway will make things worse, not better. Things like congestion, crime, anti social behaviour will not be helped by bringing yet more punters in to shop and yet more low-paid part-time jobs.
Oh, please.
If one takes your position to its logical conclusion then nothing should ever be built. More shops may result in more shoplifting perhaps, but they also bring employment. As a tax payer, I would rather see people in work than living on benefit, even if their jobs are "low-paid". Where is your evidence that jobs created at Parkway will be only "part-time"? In any event, some people (often with child-care issues) like part-time work.
If one takes your position to its logical conclusion then nothing should ever be built. More shops may result in more shoplifting perhaps, but they also bring employment. As a tax payer, I would rather see people in work than living on benefit, even if their jobs are "low-paid". Where is your evidence that jobs created at Parkway will be only "part-time"?
A large proportion of retail jobs are part time and most are low paid, for instance there is a job going at present for a senior sales assistant at Cargo - £6.08 an hour. I wonder what a junior or normal sales assistant gets? Especially given that £6.08 will be the minimum wage from October. http://www.reed.co.uk/job-deta.....mp;FromSector=1&
Or there is a job at the Vodafone HQ store (wherever that is) - £12 to 15k pro-rata (it's part-time - 20 hour week). £12k is pretty much minimum wage.
There are better paid jobs, a few, but for every well paid area manager there are dozens of shop assistants on minimum wage or thereabouts.
But my main point is that Newbury wasn't broken - but they decided to fix it anyway. If Newbury had been desperately short of employment or shops then Parkway could be looked on as something hopeful - instead there are probably not enough unemployed people in West Berks to fill all the jobs that it will create.
A large proportion of retail jobs are part time and most are low paid, for instance there is a job going at present for a senior sales assistant at Cargo - £6.08 an hour. I wonder what a junior or normal sales assistant gets? Especially given that £6.08 will be the minimum wage from October. http://www.reed.co.uk/job-deta.....mp;FromSector=1&
Or there is a job at the Vodafone HQ store (wherever that is) - £12 to 15k pro-rata (it's part-time - 20 hour week). £12k is pretty much minimum wage.
There are better paid jobs, a few, but for every well paid area manager there are dozens of shop assistants on minimum wage or thereabouts.
But my main point is that Newbury wasn't broken - but they decided to fix it anyway. If Newbury had been desperately short of employment or shops then Parkway could be looked on as something hopeful - instead there are probably not enough unemployed people in West Berks to fill all the jobs that it will create.
I am not sure I understand your position.
If you are saying that some jobs in retail are low paid then I agree with you.
Your main point includes the statement "there are probably not enough unemployed people in West Berks to fill all the jobs that it [Parkway] will create". You really believe that? You must be joking.
My main point is that I would rather see people in work.
If you are saying that some jobs in retail are low paid then I agree with you.
I'd suggest it is the vast majority.
Quoted from 1247
Your main point includes the statement "there are probably not enough unemployed people in West Berks to fill all the jobs that it [Parkway] will create". You really believe that? You must be joking. My main point is that I would rather see people in work.
My view is that it is disappointing that public space is 'given away' to commercial concerns who will supply housing that is largely exclusive and to supply jobs in a sector whose future is decidedly uncertain.
Your main point includes the statement "there are probably not enough unemployed people in West Berks to fill all the jobs that it [Parkway] will create". You really believe that? You must be joking.
My main point is that I would rather see people in work.
There are were just over 1800 people claiming unemployment benefit in West Berkshire in April. The number was falling and was 361 lower than in April 2010.
Parkway will, if John Lewis' figures are anything to go by, create about 1500 jobs (a mix, no doubt, of full and part-time). John Lewis are taking just over 10% of the retail space and will (they say) create 160 jobs.
Given that a number of the 1800 will not be prepared to work in Newbury - some are not prepared to work full stop; others will not see a minimum wage job worth having as they get more on benefits; others will not find a mimimum wage job in Newbury very attractive if they have to pay to get here from (for example) Tilehurst. I would be astounded if all the low pay Parkway jobs can be filled from the currently unemployed.
Sure, some will leave existing jobs to move to Parkway, some from shops that are moving into Parkway, others from alternative employment - leaving their previous employers competing for the ever diminishing pool of unemployed.
Perhaps it is fortunate that another year's worth of school leavers and new graduates will be available.
There are were just over 1800 people claiming unemployment benefit in West Berkshire in April. The number was falling and was 361 lower than in April 2010.
Parkway will, if John Lewis' figures are anything to go by, create about 1500 jobs (a mix, no doubt, of full and part-time). John Lewis are taking just over 10% of the retail space and will (they say) create 160 jobs.
Given that a number of the 1800 will not be prepared to work in Newbury - some are not prepared to work full stop; others will not see a minimum wage job worth having as they get more on benefits; others will not find a mimimum wage job in Newbury very attractive if they have to pay to get here from (for example) Tilehurst. I would be astounded if all the low pay Parkway jobs can be filled from the currently unemployed.
Sure, some will leave existing jobs to move to Parkway, some from shops that are moving into Parkway, others from alternative employment - leaving their previous employers competing for the ever diminishing pool of unemployed.
Perhaps it is fortunate that another year's worth of school leavers and new graduates will be available.
Well, it will be interesting to see what the actual figures are later in the year - your figure of 1500 jobs (based on 100% unit occupancy assumption?) is a guestimate and as you say, a number of these jobs will be businesses moving into Parkway from other Newbury sites. Also, not everyone who will take a new job is currently part of the unemployment figures. Some people are "unregistered unemployed" or "economically inactive" (mothers, carers, students, some immigrants, retirees etc).
So, the 1500 jobs/less than 1800 pool of workers equation is probably not the real picture. What about people in Hampshire or Wiltshire? - these counties are only a few miles away from Newbury. I used to live in North Hampshire and many people in the village worked in Newbury - in many different types of jobs.
I think the number of people needing to be recruited at Parkway in Q4 of this year will be a lot less than 1500, but I will be happy to be proved wrong. We will see what happens!
A large proportion of retail jobs are part time and most are low paid, for instance there is a job going at present for a senior sales assistant at Cargo - £6.08 an hour. I wonder what a junior or normal sales assistant gets? Especially given that £6.08 will be the minimum wage from October. http://www.reed.co.uk/job-deta.....mp;FromSector=1&
Or there is a job at the Vodafone HQ store (wherever that is) - £12 to 15k pro-rata (it's part-time - 20 hour week). £12k is pretty much minimum wage. There are better paid jobs, a few, but for every well paid area manager there are dozens of shop assistants on minimum wage or thereabouts.
But my main point is that Newbury wasn't broken - but they decided to fix it anyway. If Newbury had been desperately short of employment or shops then Parkway could be looked on as something hopeful - instead there are probably not enough unemployed people in West Berks to fill all the jobs that it will create.
Vodafone HQ store is at Vodafone HQ, on the campus. 20 hrs pw equates to 1040 hrs pa this means an hourly wage of between £11 and £14. A little more than the minimum wage.
Vodafone HQ store is at Vodafone HQ, on the campus. 20 hrs pw equates to 1040 hrs pa this means an hourly wage of between £11 and £14. A little more than the minimum wage.
12-15k pro-rata means if the person was working full time (~37.5 hours a week), so you can divide your example by about two, viz, close to minimum wage.
Well, it will be interesting to see what the actual figures are later in the year - your figure of 1500 jobs (based on 100% unit occupancy assumption?) is a guestimate and as you say, a number of these jobs will be businesses moving into Parkway from other Newbury sites. Also, not everyone who will take a new job is currently part of the unemployment figures. Some people are "unregistered unemployed" or "economically inactive" (mothers, carers, students, some immigrants, retirees etc).
So, the 1500 jobs/less than 1800 pool of workers equation is probably not the real picture. What about people in Hampshire or Wiltshire? - these counties are only a few miles away from Newbury. I used to live in North Hampshire and many people in the village worked in Newbury - in many different types of jobs.
I think the number of people needing to be recruited at Parkway in Q4 of this year will be a lot less than 1500, but I will be happy to be proved wrong. We will see what happens!
Rgds
I would agree that there will be fewer than 1500 new jobs in Parkway - but I was being a little more optimistic than you in thinking that the shops being vacated by those moving to Parkway will attract new businesses to town and hence jobs moved into Parkway will be replaced by jobs in the old premises eg Primark are being suggested as the new occupants Kennet Centre Debenhams. If this does not happen and shops in the main streets remain empty for years then it will be difficult to see Parkway as anything but a disaster.
John Lewis won't be moving in until next year, not all jobs will appear in Q4, indeed many will be recruited in Q3 if the opening of Parkway is to happen in September.
As for Hampshire and Wiltshire residents - sure there will be some prepared to travel to Newbury for a minimum wage job, and some that will get better paid jobs. Equally there are many of West Berkshire's 1800 unemployed, economically inactives etc who live in the Tilehurst/Pangbourne area and won't be in the slightest bit interested in a job in Newbury - far more, I suspect, their equivalents that live in rural Wiltshire, Hampshire or even Oxfordshire.
Great news, the developers have finished the Anchor store (Debenhams) and are handing it over to the shopfitters.
Perhaps now then they might focus their attention on restoring Northbrook Street so that the buildings they gutted can at least look the part or are they intent on leaving the street looking like the after effects of a bombing till the last minute. Just drive or walk in from the North and take a good look. Tent city.
Not a football fan then and by the sound of it haven't been around N'bury long. Welcome.!
You are indeed correct, I'm not a football fan. My apologies to Theo.
Thanks for the welcome, but my home has been in Berkshire/North Hants for 17 years, although I have been overseas a bit from time to time, I must admit. I hope that's ok.
A development such as Parkway gets my approval because it is developing a town centre brownfield site - where shops should be. It is far better than an out of town shopping mall built on greenfield land where everyone has to drive to it. I appreciate Parwkay has generated criticism from some as to its design and size, but overall it will have a positive effect. I do not see how a derelict site is better.
I agree with your comments entirely, this is just what was wanted in Newbury to revitalise the town that for many years has lost trade to other towns.
I agree with your comments entirely, this is just what was wanted in Newbury to revitalise the town that for many years has lost trade to other towns.
So what makes this any different to the other towns like Basingstoke? What will make people come to Newbury instead of going to Reading or Basingstoke which isn't exactly far away. Parkway means that Newbury loses the identity of a market town. It will have very few new shops as most of the (few) 'new' units are filled with businesses that are just moving from another part of town.
So what makes this any different to the other towns like Basingstoke? What will make people come to Newbury instead of going to Reading or Basingstoke which isn't exactly far away. Parkway means that Newbury loses the identity of a market town.
The term "market town" conjures up images of a quaint picturesque town to me, and I think that's what Skyfairy meant ? Lots of towns have markets but aren't described as "market towns" (like Reading for example).
The term "market town" conjures up images of a quaint picturesque town to me, and I think that's what Skyfairy meant ? Lots of towns have markets but aren't described as "market towns" (like Reading for example).
Mmmm think that's the problem, there are picturesque parts, but the planners (past and present) never seem to get it right. Parkway was in desperate need of regeneration, but personally still think they have the design wrong.
I think it's more that people go to Basingstoke etc because they have more shops and facilities etc. So apart from people who live in Newbury, where will all this new trade come from?
The point is: who wants to live in a town like Basingstoke, Reading or Swindon? Nothing can change the fact that Parkway (and it's mate over the road; the Travel Lodge) is utterly vulgar.
I think it's more that people go to Basingstoke etc because they have more shops and facilities etc. So apart from people who live in Newbury, where will all this new trade come from?
When parkway opens fully there will be more choice of shops for those who migrate from this area to other towns and if the marketing is done correctly then this should resurge Newbury. This in turn will entice other retailers to take up vacant premises with the likes of Primark looking very closely at the town
When parkway opens fully there will be more choice of shops for those who migrate from this area to other towns and if the marketing is done correctly then this should resurge Newbury. This in turn will entice other retailers to take up vacant premises with the likes of Primark looking very closely at the town
If you like a retail experience that involves lots of shopping in the chains, why on earth would anyone come here from outside? Surely people from outside Newbury would visit Reading, Swindon or Amazingstoke? We don't and will never have the variety.
If you like a retail experience that involves lots of shopping in the chains, why on earth would anyone come here from outside? Surely people from outside Newbury would visit Reading, Swindon or Amazingstoke? We don't and will never have the variety.
I agree with that but the fact of the matter is that it is here with us now and we have to live with it. I am just fed up with the existing town centre being part of a huge building site for months on end. The cinema was just a nightmare in terms of road closures, the wooden shuttering and the private contractors being allowed to do whatever they wanted. It still isn't how the planning design was produced, the proposed glass frontage has never been installed and there is a bland wall in its place. Northbrook Street is the same. Hoardings and temporary footways and a huge ugly canvas canopy over the lot. Newbury shouldn't be allowed to be taken over by developers like this it is detrimental to the local existing trade and an eyesore. The icing on the cake, the early closure of the Parkway bridge to suit, once again a private contractor and encouraged by WBC. Try leaving a skip outside your house for a couple of days.
Hoardings and temporary footways and a huge ugly canvas canopy over the lot. Newbury shouldn't be allowed to be taken over by developers like this it is detrimental to the local existing trade and an eyesore.
What else were you trying to draw to our attention?
See post 79
......And, if the front has been rebuilt then they have used the wrong colour bricks. If not, then the cleaning, as already said, is a bit over the top but the big grey steel beam fits in well.
......And, if the front has been rebuilt then they have used the wrong colour bricks. If not, then the cleaning, as already said, is a bit over the top but the big grey steel beam fits in well.
I think you'll find the bricks are original - but the pointing is recent.
When parkway opens fully there will be more choice of shops for those who migrate from this area to other towns and if the marketing is done correctly then this should resurge Newbury. This in turn will entice other retailers to take up vacant premises with the likes of Primark looking very closely at the town
Is not most of the shops that are let going to be occupied by other shops just relocating from other parts of Newbury?
I agree with that but the fact of the matter is that it is here with us now and we have to live with it. I am just fed up with the existing town centre being part of a huge building site for months on end. The cinema was just a nightmare in terms of road closures, the wooden shuttering and the private contractors being allowed to do whatever they wanted. It still isn't how the planning design was produced, the proposed glass frontage has never been installed and there is a bland wall in its place. Northbrook Street is the same. Hoardings and temporary footways and a huge ugly canvas canopy over the lot. Newbury shouldn't be allowed to be taken over by developers like this it is detrimental to the local existing trade and an eyesore. The icing on the cake, the early closure of the Parkway bridge to suit, once again a private contractor and encouraged by WBC. Try leaving a skip outside your house for a couple of days.
One of the many criticisms I hear is that WBC are controlled by developers not the other way round. Be interesting to research all developments over the last ten years to find out just what differences there were from what was planned to how the actual finished development looked?
When parkway opens fully there will be more choice of shops for those who migrate from this area to other towns and if the marketing is done correctly then this should resurge Newbury. This in turn will entice other retailers to take up vacant premises with the likes of Primark looking very closely at the town
Why would people who migrate to other areas shop in Newbury?
This in turn will entice other retailers to take up vacant premises with the likes of Primark looking very closely at the town
Let's hope that Primark, if they want to set up in Newbury, will settle in the Kennet Centre otherwise we will have yet another anchor store in the Parkway development. It would be great news for the shopping south of the waterbridge if their choice was the soon to be deserted KC.
When parkway opens fully there will be more choice of shops for those who migrate from this area to other towns and if the marketing is done correctly then this should resurge Newbury. This in turn will entice other retailers to take up vacant premises with the likes of Primark looking very closely at the town
Why would people who migrate to other areas shop in Newbury?
Nor will we have when it opens, it is a John Lewis at Home store, not the full monty. As you are being a little pedantic then I thought I might be as well.
Nor will we have when it opens, it is a John Lewis at Home store, not the full monty. As you are being a little pedantic then I thought I might be as well.
I wasn't being pedantic, the statement "we won't have many different shops" is untrue given John Lewis, Paperchase, H & M, Topshop and Lakeland to name a few don't currently have shops in Newbury.
I wasn't being pedantic, the statement "we won't have many different shops" is untrue given John Lewis, Paperchase, H & M, Topshop and Lakeland to name a few don't currently have shops in Newbury.
I wasn't being pedantic, the statement "we won't have many different shops" is untrue given John Lewis, Paperchase, H & M, Topshop and Lakeland to name a few don't currently have shops in Newbury.
Just wait until existing shops close when Park Way opens due to lack of footfall in KC and other parts of town and let me know how you feel about it then. You can talk it up all you like but we know from experience that Newbury has done too little too late as usual to make a town that is worth visiting for a retail experience. You cannot have a town that is run by a small clique and no infrastructure that is giving priority to developers to concrete over any spare space with no regards for facilities and expect it to cater for all its residents needs. It will become a town of residences but if you need more than grocery shopping then you head out of town.
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