southam first benchmarking presentation

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Market Town Benchmarking Measuring the performance of town centres Southam Report May 2011 Mike King Senior Research Consultant 07818 068982 [email protected]

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Southam First Benchmarking Presentation 11 May 2011

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Page 1: Southam First Benchmarking Presentation

Market Town Benchmarking

Measuring the performance of town centres

Southam Report

May 2011

Mike KingSenior Research Consultant

07818 [email protected]

Page 2: Southam First Benchmarking Presentation

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Retail offering

Southam (41%) has a lower than National (54%) average number of A1 Commercial Units.

Southam has fewer A3 Restaurants and Cafes than the average figure for the 70 towns which were ‘Benchmarked’ in 2010.

Southam has a high level of Sue Generis Commercial Units represented in the town centre (12%).

Nationally town centres offer a two thirds Comparison (68%), one thirds Convenience (32%) split of their A1 Commercial Units, in Southam however this trend is reversed. (Comparison 39%/ Convenience 61%)

75% of the A1 Commercial Units in Southam are Independent, which is higher than the National average of 68%.

Southam town centre does not house any Key Attractors. In March 2011, the vacancy rate within Southam town centre was 7%, lower

than the National average of 8% The average number of market traders in Southam is 10, much lower than

the National average of 27.

Footfall Footfall in Southam increased by 56% on a Busy (Market Day) from a Quiet

(Non Market Day). Southam was considerably lower than the National average on both Busy (78

compared to 143) and Quiet Days (50 compared to 99).

Business views

67% of respondents had been based in Southam for more than ten years, similar to the national pattern (61%).

78% felt that potential local customers were a positive aspect of having a business based in the town

67% of respondents indicated that Car Parking was a positive aspect of the town centre; interestingly 44% stated it was a negative aspect.

56% of businesses who responded to the survey reported that Geographical Location was a positive aspect of Southam town centre.

70% of the shoppers post codes gathered were based in Southam.

Car Parking

Car Parking occupancy on a Market Day is 78%, compared to the National figure of 83% and 57% on a Non Market Day.

Town centre users

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Southam (13%) has a higher than National (8%) average percentage of shoppers origin post codes from ‘tourists’ based more than a 30 minute drive away.

48% of respondents were visiting/ visited Southam town centre to conduct convenience shopping.

None of the respondents were visiting/ visited Southam to go comparison shopping.

24% of those surveyed were in/ went to Southam to Access Services. The majority of Southam Town Centre users were frequent with 40% visiting

Daily and 36% more than once a week, a pattern mirroring the National trends.

Mirroring the national picture the majority of the town centre users surveyed visited Southam by car (47%) or on foot. (45%)

59% of those surveyed rated the physical appearance of Southam as good. 79% rated the cleanliness of the town centre positively. 35% rated the best aspect of Southam town centre the convenience to where

they lived. 55% rated the variety of shops as either poor (46%) or very poor, (10%) and

when asked how they would improve the town centre, respondents concentrated comments on improving the retail offer.

51% of those who answered the question on rating the leisure and cultural activities in Southam town centre provided a rating of poor (45%) or very poor. (6%)

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Page 4: Southam First Benchmarking Presentation

CONTENTS PAGE

Page NumberINTRODUCTION 5METHODOLOGY 5KEY FINDINGS 6KPI 1: Total Number of Commercial Units 6KPI 2: Retail by Comparison / Convenience 9KPI 3: Key attractors / multiple trader representation 10KPI 4: Number of vacant units 11KPI 5: Number of markets / traders 12KPI 6: Zone A Retail Rents 12KPI 7: Footfall Counts 13KPI 8: Car Parking Availability and Usage 14KPI 9: Business Confidence Survey 16KPI 10: Visitor Satisfaction Survey 19KPI 11: Shoppers Origin Survey 26

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INTRODUCTION

Town Benchmarking is a research methodology developed by market town partnerships and Action for Market Towns in 2006. The process provides a comprehensive portrait of the commercial life of the town and involves gathering and analysing data on Key Performance Indicators (KPI’s) within a designated town centre area. The analysis provides data on each KPI for individual towns and a ‘National’ figure, which is the average for all the 70 towns which participated in Benchmarking during 2010. Benchmarking thus provides those working in on behalf of town centres with a better understanding of their offering and a toolkit to measure the impact of any developments/ initiatives.

In 2012, the newly formed Southam Town Centre Partnership will be the body responsible for collecting the Benchmarking data for the town.

METHODOLOGY

Each KPI was collected by Mike King, Senior Consultant, Action for Market Towns in a standardized manner as highlighted in the Table below.

KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATOR DATA COLLECTION METHODOLOGY

KPI 1: Total number of commercial units Visual Survey KPI 2: Retail by Comparison/Convenience Visual Survey

KPI 3:Key attractors / multiple trader representation

Visual Survey

KPI 4: Number of vacant units Visual Survey KPI 5: Number of markets / traders Visual Survey

KPI 6: Zone A Retail Rents Valuation Office AgencyKPI 7: Footfall Footfall Survey on Market and

Non Market Days KPI 8: Car Parking Availability and Usage Footfall Survey on Market and

Non Market DaysKPI 9: Business Confidence Postal Survey

KPI 10: Town Centre Users Survey On Line and Face to Face Survey KPI 11: Shoppers Origin Shoppers Origin Postcode

Before any KPI data was collected the core commercial area of the town centre was defined working alongside the local Authority. The town centre area included the core shopping streets and car parks attached or adjacent to these streets.

In total, data on 73 ground floor commercial units was recorded.

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KEY FINDINGS

The following section is a full detailed analysis of the data collected on each of the KPI’s for Southam.

KPI 1: Total Number of Commercial Units

It is important to understand the scale and variety of the “commercial offer” throughout the town. A variety of shops and a wide range of services in a town are important to its ability to remain competitive and continue to attract customers. Sustaining a balance between the different aspects of buying and selling goods and services ensures that the local population (and visitors from outside) can spend time and money there, keeping the generated wealth of the town within the local economy. Importantly, it forms the employment base for a substantial proportion of the community too, helping to retain the population rather than lose it to nearby towns and cities.

Class Type of Use Class Includes:

A1 Shops

Shops, retail warehouses, hairdressers, travel and ticket agencies, post offices (but not sorting offices), pet shops, sandwich bars, showrooms, domestic hire shops, dry cleaners, funeral directors and internet cafes

A2 Financial and professional services

Financial services such as banks and building societies, professional services (other than health and medical services) including estate and employment agencies and betting offices

A3 Restaurants and Cafés Food and drink for consumption on the premises- restaurants, snack bars and cafes

A4 Drinking establishments Public houses, wine bars or other drinking establishments (but not nightclubs)

A5 Hot food takeaways Sale of hot food for consumption off the premises

SG Sui Generis("unique" establishments)

Theatres, hostels providing no significant element of care, scrap yards. Petrol filling stations and shops selling and/ or displaying motor vehicles. Retail warehouse clubs, nightclubs, laundrettes, taxi business, amusement centres, casinos, haulage yards, transport depots, veterinary clinics, dog parlours, tanning and beauty salons and tattoo studios.

B1 Business Offices (other than those that fall within A2) research and development of products and processes, light industry appropriate in a

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Page 7: Southam First Benchmarking Presentation

residential area

B2 General Industrial

Use for industrial process other than one falling within class B1 (excluding incineration purposes, chemical treatment or landfill or hazardous waste)

B8 Storage and Distribution Warehouses, includes open air storage

C1 HotelsHotels, boarding and guest houses where no significant element of care is provided (excludes hostels)

C2 Residential InstitutionsResidential care homes, hospitals, nursing homes, boarding schools, residential colleges and training centres.

C2A Secure Residential Institution

Use for a provision of secure residential accommodation, including use as a prison, young offenders institution, detention centre, secure training centre, custody centre, short term holding centre, secure hospital, secure local authority accommodation or use as a military barracks.

D1 Non residential institutions

Clinics, health centres, crèches, day centres, schools, art galleries (other than for sale or hire), museums, libraries, halls, places of worship, church halls, law court. Non residential education and training centres.

D2 Assembly and leisure

Cinemas, music and concert halls, bingo and dance halls (but not nightclubs), swimming baths, skating rinks, gymnasiums or area for indoor or outdoor sports and recreations (except for motor sports, or where firearms are used).

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Southam National

A1 41% 54%A2 15% 13%A3 3% 10%A4 7% 3%A5 7% 4%B1 4% 3%B2 0% 1%B8 0% 0%C1 0% 2%C2 0% 0%C3 0% 1%D1 10% 4%D2 0% 1%SG 12% 3%

Total Number of Units in Use: 68

The table highlights that Southam (41%) has a lower than National (54%) average number of A1 Commercial Units. Similarly, Southam has fewer A3 Restaurants and Cafes than the average figure for the 70 towns which participated in Town Benchmarking in 2010. Another noticeable difference is that Southam has a high level of Sue Generis Commercial Units represented in the town centre (12%).

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Page 9: Southam First Benchmarking Presentation

KPI 2: Retail by Comparison / Convenience

A1 Retail units selling goods can be split into two different types Comparison and Convenience.

Convenience retail describes merchandise that is purchased on a very frequent basis, is of relatively low value, and is often consumable in nature. Examples include:

Food and non alcoholic beverages Tobacco Alcoholic beverages (off trade) Newspapers and Magazines Flowers Pharmaceuticals Cosmetics Toiletries Non durable household goods (goods which last fewer than 3 years)

Comparison goods is a term used in retailing to indicate goods purchased for long term use that are likely to be subject to comparison between suppliers before purchase.. Examples include:

Clothing Shoes and other footwear Materials for maintenance & repair of dwellings Furniture & furnishings; carpets and other floor coverings Household textiles Major household appliances, electric or not Small electric household appliances Tools & miscellaneous accessories Glassware, tableware & household utensils Medical goods & other pharmaceutical products Therapeutic appliances & equipment Bicycles Recording media Games, toys & hobbies; sport & camping equipment, musical instruments Garden equipment and goods Pets & related products Books & stationary Audio-visual, photographic and information processing equipment Appliances for personal care Jewellery, watches & clocks

The presence of a variety of shops in a shopping centre is important to its ability to remain competitive and continue to attract customers. A balance of both comparison and convenience retail units is therefore ideal in terms of encouraging visitors / potential customers.

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Southam NationalComparison 39% 68%Convenience 61% 32%

The table illustrates that Nationally town centres offer a two thirds Comparison (68%), one thirds Convenience (32%) split of their A1 Commercial Units, in Southam however this trend is reversed. (Comparison 39%/ Convenience 61%)

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KPI 3: Key attractors / multiple trader representation

The vitality of a town centre depends highly on the quality and variety of retailers represented. National retail businesses are considered key attractors and are particularly important in terms of attracting visitors and shoppers to a town. However, the character and profile of a town often also depends on the variety and mix of independent shops that can give a town a “unique selling point” and help distinguish it from other competing centres. A sustainable balance of key attractors and multiple names alongside local independent shops is therefore likely to have the greatest positive impact on the vitality and viability of a town.

The following shops are considered key attractors by Experian Goad Key Attractors List 2010.

Argos New LookBHS Next

Boots River IslandBurtons Sainsbury’s

Carphone Warehouse SuperdrugClarks Tesco

Clintons TopmanCurry’s Topshop

Debenhams Virgin MegastoreDorothy Perkins Vodaphone

H &M WH SmithHMV Waitrose

House of Fraser WaterstonesJohn Lewis Wilkinson’s

Multiple traders have a countrywide presence and are well known household names. Regional shops are identified as those with stores / units in several towns throughout one geographical region only and Independent shops are identified as those that are specifically local to Southam.

Southam NationalIndependent 75% 68%

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Key Attractor 0% 4%Multiple 18% 19%Regional 7% 9%

75% of the A1 Commercial Units in Southam are Independent, which is higher than the National average of 68%.

Southam town centre does not house any Key Attractors, whilst the figures for Multiple and Regional traders is very similar to the National average.

KPI 4: Number of vacant units

Vacant units are an important indicator of the vitality and viability of a town centre. The presence of vacant units over a period of time can identify potential weaknesses in a town centre, whether due to locational criteria, high rent levels or strong competition from other centres.

Southam NationalOccupied 93% 92%

Vacant 7% 8%

In March 2011, the vacancy rate within Southam town centre was 7%, lower than the National average of 8%.

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KPI 5: Number of markets / traders

Good quality markets provide competition and choice for consumers. A busy and well-used street market can therefore be a good indicator of the vitality of a town centre. Conversely, if a market is in decline (e.g. empty pitches reducing numbers), it can be an indication of potential weaknesses in the town centre e.g. a lack of footfall customers due to an inappropriate retail mix or increased competitor activity. Street markets can also generate substantial benefits for the local economy. Markets can also provide a local mechanism for a diverse range of local enterprises to start, flourish and grow, adding to the sustainable mix of shops services on offer throughout the town.

Southam NationalAverage number of

market days per week 1 2

Average number of traders at a market 10 27

The average number of market traders in Southam is 10, much lower than the National average of 27.

KPI 6: Zone Retail Rents

The values for Zone A rentals are the “industry” benchmarks for the relative appeal of a location with its users and with the owners or investors in property. In particular retail rents can provide a useful indication of a town’s performance and highlight how attractive it is to businesses. Conversely, where rents are falling it can be an indicator of decline.

Southam NationalZone A Retail Rents £21 £37

Zone A Retail Rents for Southam is based on an analysis of town centre properties on www.2010.voa.gov.uk and highlight that the average for the town is lower than the National average._____________________________________________________________________

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Page 13: Southam First Benchmarking Presentation

KPI 7: Footfall Counts

The arrival and movement of people, whether as residents, workers, visitors or shoppers is vital to the success of the majority of businesses within the town centre. The more people that are attracted to the town, the better it trades and the more prosperous the businesses in it, provided there is ample available disposable income in that population. Measuring passing people in a consistent manner in the same place, at the same time builds up a picture of the town, its traders and their relative success over the weeks and months.

Southam NationalBusy 78 143Quiet 50 99

Footfall in Southam increased by 56% on a Busy/Market Day from a Quiet/Non Market Day. It must be noted however, that footfall in Southam was considerably lower than the National average on both Busy (78 compared to 143) and Quiet Days (50 compared to 99).

The following table offers more detail on the footfall count point location and the time and day specific data. Interestingly the main pattern was for footfall to decline during the course of the morning in Southam.

Count Point Location: Outside Post Office

Time Market Day/ Busy Day Count Time Non Market Day/

Quiet Day Count

10:40-10:50 93 09:50-10:00 52

11:25-11:35 75 10:15-10:25 48

12:00-12:10 66 12:00-12:10 51

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KPI 8: Car Parking Availability and Usage

These days a large proportion of spending customers in a town centre come by car. In the rural setting, the car tends to be an essential tool, used by both those who come to spend and those who come to work. The provision of adequate and convenient car parking facilities is therefore a key element of town centre vitality. An acceptable number of available spaces with a regular, quick turn-over for shoppers is the ideal while adequate longer stay, less convenient spaces for local owners/ workers and visitors must be considered too.

The following tables provide a summary of the Car Parking offering within Southam.

Car ParksNumber %

Total Spaces 267 (227 Mkt. Day) n/aShort Stay Spaces (4 hours and

under) 89 33%

Long Stay Spaces (Over 4 hours) 165 (125 Mkt Day) 62%Disabled Spaces 13 5%

On StreetNumber %

Total Spaces 55 n/aShort Stay Spaces (4 hours and

under) 39 71%

Long Stay Spaces (Over 4 hours) 13 24%Disabled Spaces 3 5%

OverallNumber %

Total Spaces 322 n/aShort Stay Spaces (4 hours and

under) 128 40%

Long Stay Spaces (Over 4 hours) 178 55%Disabled Spaces 16 5%

There are 267 off street (83%) and 55 on street (17%) parking spaces available for public use. In total 55% of the car parking offering in Southam is Long Stay.

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The following table illustrates occupancy and illegal parking rates for all car parking within Southam on Market and Non Market Days. Car parking occupancy on a Market Day is 78%, compared to the National figure of 83% and 57% on a Non Market Day.

Southam National

Avg Occupancy – Market Day 78% 83%

Avg Occupancy –Non Market Day 57% 75%

Illegal Parking – Market Day 4 9

Illegal Parking – Non Market Day 1 8

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Page 16: Southam First Benchmarking Presentation

KPI 9: Business Confidence Survey

The aim of the Business Confidence Survey is to establish an understanding of the economy of the town. By establishing the trading conditions of the town centre businesses efforts can be focussed on looking at issues which are of concern and how to improve them.

What is the nature of your business? Southam National

Retail 56% 65%Commercial/Professional 22% 19%Public Sector 11% 3%Hospitality 0% 5%Other 11% 9%

What type of business are you? Multiple Trader 11% 12%Regional 0% 9%Independent 89% 78%

How many people work at these premises? Full Time 2 3Part Time 3 2

How long has your business been in the town?

less than one year 0% 5%one to five years 11% 18%six to ten years 22% 16%more than ten years 67% 61%

5. Compared to last year has your turnover…….?, increased 44% 35%stayed the same 22% 31%decreased 33% 34%

6. Compared to last year has your profitability…….? increased 33% 41%

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stayed the same 33% 24%decreased 33% 35% 7. Over the next 12 months do you think your turnover will…….? increase 50% 45%stay the same 37% 39%decrease 13% 16%

8. What are the positive aspects of having a business located in the town? (Multiselect)

Prosperity of the town 22% 27%Labour pool 33% 9%Environment 33% 26%Geographical location 56% 38%Mix of retail offer 33% 22%Potential tourist customers 22% 26%Potential local customers 78% 56%Affordable housing 0% 23%Transport links 11% 10%Car parking 67% 28%

Rental values/property costs 22% 26%Other 0% 14%

9. What are the negative aspects of having a business located in the town? (Multiselect)

Prosperity of the town 14% 26%Labour pool 0% 7%Environment 0% 9%Geographical location 14% 6%Mix of retail offer 14% 56%Potential tourist customers 0% 16%Potential local customers 14% 25%Affordable housing 0% 27%Transport links 14% 27%Car parking 43% 25%Rental values/property costs 14% 14%

Local business competition 29% 21%

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Competition from other places 29% 13%Competition from the Internet 14% 6%Other 0% 11%

10a. Has your business suffered from any crime over the last 12 months? No 11% 71%Yes 89% 29%

10b. What type of crime has your business suffered over the last 12 months (Multiselect) theft 0% 41%Abuse 0% 13%criminal damage 100% 28%Other 0% 19%

The Business Confidence Survey highlights a number of key themes:

67% of respondents had been based in Southam for more than ten years, similar to the national pattern. (61%)

44% of respondents reported that compared to last year their turnover had increased.

50% indicated that they expected their turnover to increase over the next 12 months.

78% felt that potential local customers were a positive aspect of having a business based in the town.

67% of respondents indicated that Car Parking was a positive aspect of the town centre, whilst interestingly 43% stated it was a negative aspect.

A theme to emerge from the comments supplied by the Businesses in terms of how Southam town centre could be improved centred on moving the market to Market Hill.

56% of businesses who responded to the survey reported that Geographical Location was a positive aspect of Southam town centre.

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KPI 10: Town Centre Users Survey

The aim of the Visitor Satisfaction Survey is to establish how your town is seen by those people who use it. By asking visitors, of all types, a more detailed picture can be obtained as what matters to regular visitors (i.e. locals who pop in every day or work in town) can be very different to someone who has never been to the place before. For the first group signage is not an issue, for example, and the second may not worry about fear of night time crime.

The Town Centre Users Survey was based on 98 completed surveys, 50 Face to Face within Southam and 48 via an online survey hosted on local websites in Southam and surrounding villages.

Main purpose of town centre visit

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

50

Work Convinience Shopping

Comparison Shopping

Access Services

Leisure Other

10

48

0

24

7

12

17

35

10

16

11 12

% SouthamNational

48% of respondents were visiting/ visited Southam town centre to conduct Convenience Shopping. Interestingly none of the respondents were visiting/ visited to go Comparison Shopping. 24% of those surveyed were in/ went to Southam to Access Services.

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Frequency of visits

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

Daily More than once a week

Weekly Fortnightly More than once a month

Once a month or

less

First Visit

40

36

13

35

3

0

32

36

16

7

2 3 2

% Southam National

The survey results indicated that the majority of Southam Town Centre users were frequent with 40% visiting Daily and 36% more than once a week, a pattern mirroring the National trends.

Money spent in an a normal visit

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

Nothing £0.01-£5.00 £5.01-£10.00 £10.01-£20.00 £20.01-£50

10

25

30

25

10

% Southam

On an average visit, 30% of those surveyed indicated that they would spend between £5.01 and £10.00 on a visit to Southam.

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Mode of transport

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

50

On Foot Bicycle Motorbike Car Bus Train Other

45

1 1

47

6

0 0

38

2 1

47

11

0 1

% Southam National

Mirroring the national picture the majority of the town centre users surveyed visited Southam by car (47%) or on foot. (45%)

Physical appearance

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

Very Good Good Poor Very Poor

5

59

34

2

9

59

26

6

%

Southam National

59% of those surveyed rated the physical appearance of Southam as good. A higher than average (26%) felt that the town centre was poor. (34%)

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Cleanliness

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

Very Good Good Poor Very Poor

8

71

21

0

10

67

20

3

%

Southam National

The results, in terms of how town centre users rated the cleanliness of Southam were very similar to the national average.

Variety of shops

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

50

Very Good Good Poor Very Poor

5

40

46

9

6

41

44

10

%

Southam National

Once again, the pattern in regards to how town centre users rated the variety of shops in Southam followed the national patterns. 55% rated the variety as either poor (46%) or very poor. (10%)

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Leisure and culture

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

50

Very Good Good Poor Very Poor

4

45 45

68

49

35

8

%

Southam National

51% of those who answered the question on rating the leisure and cultural activities in Southam town centre provided a rating of poor (45%) or very poor. (6%)

Best aspects of the town centre

Southam NationalPhysical appearance 4% 15%Shopping 12% 25%Restaurants 0% 50%Access to Services - e.g. banks, Post Office, Library 19%

21%

Leisure facilities 3% 49%Cultural activities 1% 17%Pubs/Bars/Nightclubs 7% 6%Transport links 20% 15%Ease of walking around the town centre 21% 41%Convenience - e.g. near where you live 35% 12%Safety 6% 6%Car Parking 19% n/aOther 1 14%

35% of those surveyed rated the best aspect of Southam town centre the convenience to where they lived, 21% the ease of walking around the town centre and 20% transport links.

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Length of stay

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

Less than an hour

1-2 hours 2-4 hours 4-6 hours All day Other

70

18

3 4 31

28

40

1511

5

0

% SouthamNational

The main feature in regards to the amount of time town centre users stayed in Southam is the briefness. 70% reported that they stayed less than an hour compared to the national average of 28%.

How town centre users would like to see the town centre improved

The main theme to emerge was to improve the retail offering as highlighted by the following selection of comments;

Would like to have a local butcher and greengrocer back in the town - these shut a number of years ago

Better shops Better range of mid-range shops e.g. clothing, books, jewellery More variety in shops (three supermarkets are not needed in such a small

town Improve the range of shops not just gift shops and florists. More shops Better range of more up to date shops Too many takeaways Clothes shops More variety of restaurant food Increased variety of shops by financial encouragement to invest Improve the retail offering

Improving shop fronts was also regularly cited;

Improvement to shop fronts with a coordinated colour scheme

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Clean the fascias….Smarten up Face lift shop fronts need improving" More co-ordination between shop fronts Better range of shops with attractive frontages Shop fronts could be looked after and decorated An initiate to tidy up shop frontages, the new florist and ladies clothes shops

are and example of what can be done Tighten up on planning regulations for shop fronts etc.

Another of the themes to emerge from town centre users was that Southam could be improved if it was cleaned up;

Clean it up more Cleaning up the town Spruce up

Improvements and redevelopment to existing buildings and areas were noted;

Encourage redevelopment of land to the rear of Coventry Street for commercial reasons. There is unused land to the rear that could be used for free car parking that would encourage people to shop there rather than travel to Leamington

Improve the area where the Library and Police Station are particularly the outside appearances of the two buildings

The Police Station needs to redevelop into a use for Civic reasons such as a one stop shop for council, Art gallery-museum, Social services, youth facilities, health care etc. The Police could be relocated at the Fire Station to a smaller building to the rear of the existing building."

Modernise library Take away parking from Market Square and make it a public space with

seating

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KPI11: Shoppers Origin

The Shoppers Origin Survey tracks the general area that your visitors originate from. This data can be used to target local marketing or promotional literature at specific parts of the wider catchment for your town to encourage others to make the journey. It can also be used as evidence of the success of such campaigns or other elements of your action plan by gauging the penetration into the population of their understanding of the benefits your town offers

The postcodes have been split into 3 categories to be able to compare with other towns. The categories are:

Locals; those who live within a Post Code covering SouthamTourists; those who live within a Post Code further than a 30 minute drive awayVisitors; those who live within a Post Code less than a 30 minute drive away

In total 233 Post Codes were gathered by retailers within Southam

Southam NationalLocals 70% 58%

Tourists 13% 8%Visitors 17% 34%

The table illustrates that from the Post Codes gathered, 70% were from shoppers who lived within Southam, which is higher than the National average of 58%. The percentage of those who lived within a 30 minute drive of Southam was noticeably lower than the National average, 17% compared to 34%, whilst interestingly the figure for Tourists was higher, 13% compared to 8%.____________________________________________________________________

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