South Shore traders in uproar

TRADERS who blame the council for their profits plummeting have been left "fuming" after being offered pot-plants to help their businesses thrive. Owners say the introduction of a one-way system on Bond Street in South Shore last year has forced 11 shops out of business in the last 12 months alone, while he rest of the once-busy street being deserted by shoppers.

Despite traders calls for the new road system to be scrapped, Blackpool Council says the best it can do is offer to clean up the street with pots and plants.

Peter Callow, leader of Blackpool Council, said: "It's a very sad situation when businesses are suffering. We are in hard financial times, and we, the council, are having to lay people off - but we can offer limited help. If traders approach me, we can help them make the street look better, with plants and pots" wrote Helen Steal of the local Gazette.

We must always be careful for what we ask! Local politics and politicians are as shameful as national leaders, both with a collection of individuals who seem never to have travelled further than their own street ends. The plight of the traders in South Shore is exactly the same as those in Morecambe, Southsea and a million towns where Super Market's are allowed to benefit themselves at the expense of local traders, free parking, bus services close to main entrances and a rating system that local traders would love.
But do not just blame the inept council. With shoppers buying into the publicity and convenience of having everything under one roof, the future of local shopping is doomed unless the shopper is given an experience worth paying for. Notoriani's may have their market licked, but unless you can get to them they may as well be on Lake Placid.