proactive
Enjoying a drop of red.
PMSL. You cannot compare Leamington or Shrewsbury to Stafford. They are far wealthier places.
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Stafford shops opening - Turning into a boom town?
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Thehooperman
Well-Known Forumite
And when you're at that end of the town you're actually at the Butler's Bell end of town, hence that Spoons is colloquially known as the BellendOoh, I'm not the only one who calls it that
DoggedWalker
Well-Known Forumite
Why not?
The population of Leamington is about 10,000 fewer. Both essentially serve Birmingham and London as commuter towns. Both have wealthy neighbourhoods.
Do I think they’re economically the same? No. But the comparison is valid because it forms a wider question over why these places are more wealthy/desirable and what Stafford BC have failed to do to compete.
proactive
Enjoying a drop of red.
Whatever...
Average household income
Stafford - 37,700
Lichfield - 39,600
Shrewsbury - 41,800
Average house price/rent
Stafford - 260k/830
Lichfield - 335k/1150
Shrewsbury - 290k/865
I’m not sure that equals “far wealthier” if your extra salary is eaten up in higher housing costs? That doesn’t result in more disposable income. Plus Stafford doesn’t have Fabricunt as an MP.
DoggedWalker
Well-Known Forumite
Same applies really!
Another place that seems to have a much better bar & restaurant scene than Stafford. Although saying that, the current iteration of The Post House seems to be doing well, and the food there is excellent.
proactive
Enjoying a drop of red.
The difference is that the wealthiest people spend money in the town in they live. Those with money in Stafford usually don't.
DoggedWalker
Well-Known Forumite
Well obviously you clown, because as highlighted in this thread, the council has done little to encourage the type of business the affluent people of Stafford would actually use. Instead they hop in trains to Brimgham, Manchester and beyond, to go to shops, bars and cafes they actually want to use.
Then surely you should be encouraged by the council allowing more bars and restaurants to open?
proactive
Enjoying a drop of red.
GFYS.
proactive
Enjoying a drop of red.
Provided it's not another 'Spoons sort of thing then yes. But some actual shops, selling things people actually want to buy, would also be nice to have in the town centre.
Tumble weed
Well-Known Forumite
Tbh , I was in a hurry yesterday on lunch , and was hungry. I went to spoons as near enough , within ten minutes I'd have food and be able to leave in good time for work, I wasn't disappointed.
I've been to other places with no limits, and been waiting 20-40 minutes for food.
So if you're in a hurry, and want ok food, spoons is the first choice really.
I've been to other places with no limits, and been waiting 20-40 minutes for food.
So if you're in a hurry, and want ok food, spoons is the first choice really.
The council doesn't help with expecting people to pay for parking on Sundays. Yet I can go to Lichfield, walk around a much nicer town and park for free all day in many car parks. Sure, it's mostly £1 to park but I don't use cash and few of the machines accept cards. Then when you do get there what is there to do? Obviously, driving to Lichfield will cost a bit, but it's all about value for money.
GNM67
Well-Known Forumite
Substitute Stafford for Walsall in this 
https://www.expressandstar.com/news/voices/readers-letters/2022/07/29/huge-difference-to-home-town/
https://www.expressandstar.com/news/voices/readers-letters/2022/07/29/huge-difference-to-home-town/
DoggedWalker
Well-Known Forumite
100% agree that I think every single business in the town centre would want and benefit from free Sunday parking. Saturday parking should be heavily discounted too.
Although that said, I think most of the car parks accept payment by app now which is relatively straightforward.
Theresa Green
Well-Known Forumite
So how would the LA raise monies not gained from parking?
In 2016 each bay was worth £878 pa
Cue
Well-Known Forumite
The biggest one that isn’t the Riverside multi-storey (Sainsbury’s) doesn’t, and the free ones are of course only 2 hours free then they ticket you which for leisure activities is nothing.
Parking fees and business rates have ruined the high street, in some instances the rates are higher than the rent - up to double.
Possibly from the extra council tax they earn from the hundreds of new homes they allowed to be built without them spending much on extra services to cope.