Warminster & Villages Community Partnership
Economy And Tourism Group
A press release from Winifred Charman (Group Co-ordinator), 7 Beech Grove, Warminster (telephone 01985 216195):
As part of the Warminster Festival, the Economy and Tourism Group started to undertake a survey of shoppers in the Market Place on Saturday 18 September 2004. Visitors to the Community Partnership Stand were asked to complete a simple three point questionnaire asking
What existing shops and services do you value and why?
What other types of shops and services would you like to see in Warminster?
Do you live in the town, a village or elsewhere?
The Survey is on-going and there will be many more opportunities for residents to pick up questionnaires in the next few weeks. Some shoppers chose to take their questionnaires away to complete at home (in the dry!) and these will hopefully be returned to the Community Mailbox in the public Library.
An analysis of the replies received so far reveals (the figures are approximates)
2% say that their shopping needs are met in the Town Centre
24% would like to see a good men’s outfitters/bespoke tailors
21% expressed a need for good women’s clothing/lingerie shop
Among other “demands” were for good teenage/children’s fashions, another shoe shop, independent food retailers, speciality/craft shops and a furniture shop.
Readers who still want to take part in the Survey should look out for opportunities to pick up a survey form from various locations. The Survey Team will again be in e.g. Three Horseshoes on future occasions. (Some shoppers on Saturday were not interested in taking part. If they change their minds there will be other opportunities!)
Final results of the Survey will be made available to the Chamber of Commerce, the Independent Traders Association, the Agents marketing the empty shops in the town centre – and of course the Press.