Big test for town centre (From Free Press Series)

Big test for town centre

A GROUNDBREAKING project aimed at improving local town centres is heading to Chepstow.

Chepstow is one of just four town centres in Wales chosen by Skillsmart Retail Ltd to carry out the scheme.

The Government-funded organisation, which will carry out a detailed retail research project in the town, has been welcomed by local Chamber of Commerce chiefs who see it as an important step to secure the future prosperity of Chepstow.

They say the timing of the scheme, which will start later this month, is ideal as it will come on the back of a difficult trading period when many businesses have struggled during the recent regeneration works in the town.

As part of the project, mystery shoppers will be sent to Chepstow during this month and December to check on issues such as car parking, litter, bill posting, customer service and store merchandising.

Representatives will also work with local businesses in a bid to improve their performance through the development of their staff.

Street surveys will also be carried out by Skillsmart Retail to ask shoppers what they think of the town as a whole and more importantly the retail services on offer to them.

Paul Ritchings, president of the Chepstow Chamber of Commerce, told the Free Press: "This is great news for Chepstow and will help the chamber to improve the shopping experience in the town.

"It is vital that shoppers enjoy coming into Chepstow town centre and, especially during the recent difficult times, it is important that customer service is better than ever."

He added: "The project will look at all aspects of our town centre and we will then be advised as to how we can make improvements."

Unlike Abergavenny and Monmouth, Chepstow has been unable to attract many major national High Street names so Chamber bosses are hoping that the project will give them pointers to develop the town centre as a local shopping experience.

"With the regeneration project ongoing, we are hopeful that the future for Chepstow is bright. We have had a difficult few months but I am confident that things will improve and the Skillsmart scheme will play a big part in that."

Katharine Whittall, Skillsmart Manager for Wales, said: "This sort of project is a first for Wales. We aim to finish by March 2005 and then we'll report back to the Chamber of Commerce and come up with an action plan for the town."

The Skillsmart scheme will be discussed at the Chamber's annual general meeting on September 2 at Beaufort Hotel, starting at 6pm. Everyone is welcome to attend.