Urmston Town Centre Road Map Overarching plan for

Urmston Town Centre Road Map • Overarching plan for activities taking place in Urmston town centre over the next year • Set the priorities for the work of the Council in the town centre and identifies future activity. • The proposed aims for the Road Map are to: o Identify developments that will realise the potential of the town centre; o Identify how the retail, leisure and services offer in the town centre, including the evening economy, can be improved; o Promote Urmston as a place to live, work, shop, relax and enjoy; o Increasing the footfall of the town; o Assist existing businesses in maintaining and improving their business performance and sustainability whilst encouraging new businesses; o Ensure Urmston town centre is a clean, safe and accessible place; o Ensure the town centre fulfils its role as a vibrant social hub for the whole community.

Urmston Road Map - Boundary

Baseline Position • Vacancy rate (Ground Floor): o Urmston – 11. 9%, o North West – 17. 3%, o National – 13. 9% • Net number of new business openings – 7 • Proportion of independent businesses – 78% • Total business rates - £ 4. 12 million • Off street parking - 685 spaces / On street parking 49 spaces • Total Recorded Crime fell 2. 8% between 2011/12 and 2012/13.

SWOT Strengths Weaknesses e. g. Independent retailers, big retail names & supermarkets, events, entertainment area and outdoor seating (Eden Sq), affluent populations nearby. e. g. Proximity to Trafford Centre, poor signage poor leisure & cultural offer, Victoria Parade vacancies. Opportunities Threats e. g. Improved signage and information, Victoria Parade, Town Centres Loan Scheme, pop-up shops, environmental improvements, Urmston market e. g. Business rates , economic climate, increasing numbers of charity/discount shops, competition from Trafford Centre & online

Current Activities • Business Support o Economic Growth Team o Loan Scheme • Events o Spring & Christmas o Food Festivals & Markets • Retail offers / competitions • Environmental Improvements • Communications o Newsletters, Social Media, Press Releases, Business Visits • Stakeholder Involvement o Urmston Town Partnership o Locality Partnership

Future Opportunities & Actions • • • Landlords’ Forums Uses for vacant units Victoria Parade & Pop Up Shops Events o Including Artisan Market on Higher Road Market Environmental Improvements & Signage Websites Promotion of Business Rates relief schemes Town Centre Profiles Performance monitoring