Date: 06/12/2007
Smarten up your shop front and bring in more business - that's the message to fellow traders from award-winning butcher John Mettrick.
For, since John renovated the frontage of his family's original butcher's shop, on Station Road, Hadfield, in traditional style, as part of High Peak Borough Council's Historic Buildings Grant Scheme, he has noticed that trade has taken a definite upturn.
"Because the shop front is more attractive and stands out to customers, it is bringing in more people, and trade has increased in line with our expectations," said John, who carried out the improvements as part of a larger £200,000 makeover. "Getting the Historic Buildings Grant meant we could do a much better job on the frontage, replacing such features as traditional sash windows and improving access for people in wheelchairs and families with young children and prams."
Now John is encouraging other shopkeepers in Station Road, Hadfield, and Whaley Bridge Conservation Area to pitch for their share of a Council pot of £60,000 towards the cost of restoring traditional features of their commercial properties. Grant aid of up to 75 per cent is available for eligible schemes that preserve and enhance the unique character of both areas, while helping to keep them alive as vibrant shopping centres.
"It's no good just having one shop done up, more people need to take this on board for the street to survive as a viable shopping area," added John. "It is well worth it, because if a shop looks nice and inviting from the outside, more people come through the door. We need to do something, because the number of retailers has diminished over the last few years. Hopefully, now that this shop is trading more, it will help to draw in more custom for other traders, and will have a positive knock-on effect."
John's project also brought benefits for other local businesses and the local economy. Beverley-based architects, InHaus Solutions Ltd, who specialise in restoration schemes for butcher's shops, commissioned local trades people, including electricians, plumbers, joiners, tilers and refrigeration engineers, to carry out the work.
Funding of up to three quarters of the cost of eligible work encourages shopkeepers to repair and restore shop fronts, doors and windows in an authentic manner, using traditional materials. In some cases, works to roofs, chimneys, rainwater goods and stonework may also attract a grant of 25 per cent.
For further information about grants in Hadfield, contact Sarah Porru, Glossop Vision programme officer, on 0845 129 7777, or email sarahporru@highpeak.gov.uk. For details of funding in Whaley Bridge, contact Lawrence Milner, economic development officer, on 0845 129 7777 or email LawrenceM@highpeak.gov.uk.
Photo: From left, assistant manager Darren Willis and John Mettrick outside Mettrick's traditional shop front in Station Road, Hadfield.