The Problem
- The current retail offer does not match the profile of local shoppers. The Letchworth Garden City catchment area consists of large numbers of ‘sophisticated’ shoppers with money to spend. They know what they want and where to get it. The lack of clothing, footwear and mixed goods stores means these shoppers are spending elsewhere.
- The number of national stores is limited due to the lack of large retail units. Many of the current retail units are simply not big enough to support modern retailing - deterring the major retailers from coming to Letchworth Garden City.
- As Stevenage, Hitchin and others continue to invest in their town centres the pressure is on Letchworth Garden City to improve the heart of the town, not only for the present generation, but for generations to come. Without sizeable investment Letchworth Garden City could become a ‘service only’ town centre.
- More than just the ‘right’ shops, today’s shoppers expect the ‘right’ environment. The dated and run down appearance of the shopping areas greatly detracts from the shopping experience.
- Poor quality, confused car parking deters shoppers from spending a reasonable time in the town centre and, in some cases means they don’t come at all.
- Fragmented shopping areas. With no clear route through the town centre, it is easy for visitors to leave without ever finding some of our many unique shops.