Trade loss fears in Saltash

A public meeting has been held in Saltash, brought about by fears about loss of trade following the closure of the Tamar Bridge to pedestrians - and worries that if shops continue to close due to high rents and rates it will become a ghost town.

There were calls to attract big-name shops to the town, but this week it has become more likely that the former Lo-Cost supermarket in Fore Street will become a new JobCentre, rather than housing a High Street store. The news prompted dismay from town and district councillors. Marjorie Schikowsky said that the town needed more retail outlets, not a JobCentre in the main street.

Around l00 people attended the public meeting, including business representatives, Caradon and town councillors, panel chairman Sir Vernon Seccombe and chairman of the town's chamber of commerce and industry, Paul Crute.

Phillip Hunt of Hunt Associates, spoke of lease terms and rents, and said traders felt rents are too high, and rental values have to be kept to a respectable level. Local shopkeeper, Bruce Reid, highlighted the closure of the bridge to pedestrians, and said since it had taken place his trade had dropped to 11 and 16 per cent at weekends. He warned: 'We are in for a rough ride, this has really hit Saltash.' He called on Caradon council to give Saltash free parking, and businesses rate reductions.

The meeting discussed how the town could attract a multiple High Street retailer, and what properties could be redeveloped for the purpose. Stephen Tait, Saltash Partnership chairman, said his group had already tried many initiatives to try to attract larger shops to Saltash. He spoke of Iceland being interested, but said there were no Fore Street premises large enough for them.

Suggestions put forward for improving shopping in the town centre were limited free parking, to prevent all-day parkers, and encouraging the Royal Mail to move their sorting office to the industrial estate.