Your Letters: November 20
IDEAS TO GIVE CITY A BOOST
As a life-long resident of Wolverhampton, I have witnessed many changes to the city centre. I would suggest that it has had more than its share of bad luck over recent years, but many positive things are going on. However, on a recent visit, I was struck by the lack of footfall. It was a rainy Saturday lunchtime, and the only diners in an Indian restaurant were ourselves. The food was good, well-priced and the staff polite. So what was the problem? Here’s some ideas:
Make the inner-ring road a 20 mph zone, and re-open it all to traffic, whilst removing any fines for bus-lane infringements. This would encourage people to actually go into the centre, many of whom feel have been pushed out of their centre.
Remove the majority of the pedestrianised zones. It rains on average every three days in the UK, with more rainfall and cold in winter. People will feel more inclined to visit if they do not have to walk in trying circumstances. Install canopies down the Victoria Street pavements - as re-instated - to protect pedestrians from the rain.
Install electric car charging points in parking bays on the side of the newly re-opened roads.
Seek government approval to levy business rates on unoccupied listed buildings. This will generate income for the councils, and push property owners in bringing such buildings into use. Lobby for compulsory purchase powers on buildings which have been empty for 10 years.
Seek government approval to create an inner-city enterprise zone with tax breaks to encourage the transformation of empty buildings into residential property. important catalyst would be the redevelopment of the old Beatties site.
Introduce an effective city-wide loyalty card scheme where points can be earned when buying from city-centre shops/restaurants to be redeemed in the city centre.
Consult with the local bus companies to offer free bus travel into the centre on selected days on selected routes.
Appoint a centre blogger who interview shop owners on a daily basis where they can promote their own store for that day.
To promote 'levelling up', lobby the government to add particular clauses to planning permissions granted in London to include a requirement to develop property in Wolverhampton city centre.
Create heritage and current displays around the centre - mixing the old and new - for example the display of a Sunbeam car and an engine recently produced by Jaguar Land Rover.
Encourage cluster zones within the centre - eg. music-themed shops around the theatre.
Do readers have any more ideas or comments?
Matthew Holder, Penn
TRUMP CRITICISM IS UNACCEPTABLE
