Regeneration of Walkley

phoebe23 · 04-10-2011, 16:34

I have recently bought a property on Walkley and am saddened to see how many shops on South Rd are closed. With the demise of the post office and many other shops I am interested in ideas to regenerate the area. It was once a vibrant shopping area and could be again. With the Asda taking over Netto in the next few weeks it seems a great time to breath some life into the shopping centre. Does anyone know how to go about getting the Post Office reopened? With eBay alone, bringing more and more business to the postal service, it seems all the nearby post offices are always really busy. I'm sure for all the people living close by this would be a welcomed first step, what does everyone think?? Constructive ideas please.

phoebe23 · 06-10-2011, 19:17

Is there no one out there who can help or offer advise about getting the post office re opened? Is anybody interested in this happening?

tinfoilhat · 06-10-2011, 21:55

The only chance you have, and it's small, is to try and persuade a local shop or pub to apply for a post office counter. The post office would have done the sums and worked out why it needed to close - they must have been low numbers or they'd have let the subpostmaster (who takes ALL the finicial risk btw - not the post office) keep it open. I'm not local but the best bet would be to try track down the last postmaster and ask him (or her) what reason he was given from po high command.

nealegibson · 07-10-2011, 10:00

Yes I'm interested in ways to regenerate the Shops, why don't you contact me directly to discuss what can be done? Neale Gibson 0845 225 6777

Tizz · 10-10-2011, 11:30

I moved away from Walkley just under a year ago, but I do recall there being a petition in Levitts about opening a counter in there. This was a while before I moved too and nothing ever came of it.
It certainly is a shame, there's very little left on South road. I did regularly use the butchers and fruit shop though.

Ron Burgundy · 11-10-2011, 09:27

I have no contact details, but do know that Darnall set up a Community Post office when their's closed down. It's been running approx 18months now (I think?)

Try contacting them and having a chat about how they went about it.
Also, make sure you have LOTS of supporters in the area. You cannot do it all on your own *knows*

Good Luck

phoebe23 · 17-10-2011, 19:06

Thanks for your replies and I will be in touch soon Neal, I have a few ideas but need to know if they are possible or not. Also I have been in touch with the Walkley forum and intend to go to the next meeting in November. Please keep your ideas coming as all are welcome and being noted for future reference :-)

websters gue · 24-10-2011, 17:36

I don't know if it's correct but I was talking to a neighbour today who said that's Levitt's convenience store is closing in a few weeks.

phoebe23 · 24-10-2011, 21:34

Oh I hope not, Darcy's sweet shop is up to let now too, hope things start to look up when Asda opens, it looks as if the refurb is in full swing now, thank goodness

willj87 · 24-10-2011, 23:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by phoebe23

Oh I hope not, Darcy's sweet shop is up to let now too, hope things start to look up when Asda opens, it looks as if the refurb is in full swing now, thank goodness

If anything, won't ASDA take trade away from the few shops that are left? I was looking at investing in Walkley, as it's not a bad place to let to students, but I'm not sure Walkley is the right area now with all the shops shutting down.

chem1st · 24-10-2011, 23:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by willj87

If anything, won't ASDA take trade away from the few shops that are left? I was looking at investing in Walkley, as it's not a bad place to let to students, but I'm not sure Walkley is the right area now with all the shops shutting down.

When the people that live in an area are impoverished students spending all their money renting a poxy room, local businesses aren't going to do very well.

taxman · 25-10-2011, 04:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by willj87

If anything, won't ASDA take trade away from the few shops that are left? I was looking at investing in Walkley, as it's not a bad place to let to students, but I'm not sure Walkley is the right area now with all the shops shutting down.

It depends what the other shops are selling. Darcy's lost out when Netto closed because footfall on South Rd suddenly nosedived.

Gordie · 25-10-2011, 07:04

I believe Darcy's will be carrying on trading but only online
Darcy Sweet shop online

phoebe23 · 25-10-2011, 07:47

I am hoping that the Asda will attract the people back to the area, as yet though, there isn't very much else for people to browse round, a few speciality shops, gifts, cards etc a hardware and clothes / shoes would save locals a trip into town or Crookes / Hillsborough. It would also fill up some of the empty shops that are to let, making the area look less run down. Perhaps some of the landlords could give incentives, maybe a couple of months rent free and then a couple half price just to make it easier for new businesses to get a start???

jimjamyahauk · 28-10-2011, 09:20

Levitts food store is now closing - sad after all these years - but he had run it into the ground over the past year or so, perhaps due to finances.

On a positive note Beech's Butcher is as popular as ever and will hopefully weather the storm.

taxman · 29-10-2011, 15:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimjamyahauk

Levitts food store is now closing - sad after all these years - but he had run it into the ground over the past year or so, perhaps due to finances.

On a positive note Beech's Butcher is as popular as ever and will hopefully weather the storm.

There was a sign in his window this morning saying that he wasn't closing and wasn't scared of ASDA. And nor should he be, the quality of his produce is way more superior than anything ASDA could sell.

jake · 29-10-2011, 19:43

Sad news about Levitts - he had tried to do different things to get people in - but the lure of Tescos & Morrisons down the hill and the other branded convenience store on south rd must have been too much.. which pretty much sums up South Rd's problems of what is stopping shops keeping open there

phoebe23 · 06-11-2011, 11:45

The Asda opens on Tuesday, it looks pretty much ready, who's going to see if theres any opening offers???

spectra · 06-11-2011, 12:11

Walkley is full of opportunity. We need traditional services similar to crookes. Eat natural, Admiral chippy, maybe a fishmonger and bakers like greggs. Theres the new laundry and dry cleaners down the road, of course ital express is doing well and fingers crossed that Asda bring in lots of business and footfall.

Anyone have any good ideas on who could locate on south rd?

phoebe23 · 07-11-2011, 15:09

I think we need a post office on Walkley as the nearest are Crookes and Broomhill and are always mega busy. A stationers, a hardware shop, craft shop and cards/gifts shop would save people a trip into town. A paint shop, electrical, soft furnishings/small furniture store would also be handy. Any sort of clothes shop, ladies, mens, childrens or somewhere that sells, shoes, handbags, accessories, jewelery etc. All of these would make a more vibrant and busy shopping area.