Traders’ cash sought for Shopmobility scheme
Abergavenny Chronicle - 30 January 2003
LIZ DAVIES REPORTS
BRYN y Cwm area manager Dale Roberts has warned that Abergavenny’s long awaited Shopmobility scheme could ‘fail
before it starts’ if it does not attract financial support from local traders.
The scheme was given the go-ahead by Monmouthshire County Council’s cabinet just weeks ago, but now could be under threat
due to lack of funding.
“Some months ago I wrote to every business within the town centre outlining the need for
finance from local business,” said Mr Roberts.
“We received two responses and while these were very gratefully received, if traders do not recognise the benefits to their
turn over by the additional visitors a Shopmobility scheme would bring and consequently are not prepared to invest
in the scheme, it will fail before it starts.
“Well founded research shows that towns with Shopmobility schemes are visited twice as often by disabled people and their
families and that for many businesses in Abergavenny a Shopmobility scheme will result in increased turnover.
“I am hopeful that businesses will now reflect on what is a fine opportunity and contact me to discuss
options that might be of interest,” said Mr Roberts.
“There are a number of ways that businesses can become involved and in doing so build on Abergavenny’s strengths
as Monmouthshire’s premier town,” he added.
The president of Abergavenny’s Chamber of Trade and Commerce Ian Shackleton however, has expressed his disappointment with Mr
Roberts’ words and defended traders’ contribution to the town.
“Over the past year we have given money to the Bridges to Cross project, the Mayor’s charity, Abergavenny in
Bloom and the Christmas lights appeal so there is certainly plenty of support for the town from traders,” said Mr Shackleton.
“I’m disappointed that Mr Roberts has taken this stance particularly as he hasn’t approached the Chamber to discuss the
scheme with traders face to face.
“To be honest a letter sent out two months ago would have arrived with traders in the lead up to the busy
Christmas season which probably would not have been the best time for a positive response.”
Mr Shackleton added that traders were concerned about facilities for disabled people in Abergavenny and the
implications of the Disabled Access Act and had recently invited CAIR representative Jenny Barnes to
speak at a Chamber of Trade and Commerce meeting.
“Mr Roberts is made aware of, and invited to, all our meetings and
I would have thought that this would have been an ideal opportunity to talk to members of the chamber
about the Shopmobility scheme,” said Mr Shackleton.
“Hopefully he will now be able to come to our next meeting and talk directly to traders about the scheme,” he said.
Speaking to the Chronicle on Tuesday, Mr Roberts admitted that he should have talked to talked to the
Chamber of Trade and would be writing to Mr Shackleton immediately, but added that he was also trying to
reach retailers in the town who were not members of the organisation.
“The Chamber of Trade have always been very supporting of projects undertaken by the area management team and contribute a
great deal to the town, but there are traders who do not belong to the group and will
benefit from this scheme,” he said.
“The fact remains however that out of 150 letters sent out we only received two replies and that without more
support the scheme remains in jeopardy.”
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