Local retail growth as another shop opens

The news on Audlem Online yesterday that another shop is to open this Saturday means that there's been five new shops in five months plus a new hairdressers. Is this the fastest ever expansion of retail in Audlem's history, we wonder?

Answers, please, but not on a postcard. An email will do fine!

Saturday sees the opening of Mandi Boo, a fashion boutique in the Moseley's Yard development on Shropshire Street. Two weeks ago, Hoc's Fat Pigeon opened on Cheshire Street.

Just before and after Christmas, three shops – AudlemCyclesport; the Flower Company and Audlem Dry Cleaners – opened in the old Co-op building on the Square. And a few yards away, Chester's hairdressers opened in the old 'bookies' office.

Add to that list the new OverWater marina including a branch of the Coffee Lounge just a mile to the north of Audlem and the expansion has been even more remarkable.

Several organisations including Audlem Traders and ADAPT are working hard to encourage 'local shopping' while tourism is also seen as important for local business. Trade dropped off sharply when the canal was closed for several months last year as a result of a breach twenty miles to the south.

The 2010 Audlem Parish Plan will also be looking at ways to encourage the use of local businesses. A working group on Local Business & Tourism will be contributing to the Plan, reflecting the views of residents in last year's questionnaire.

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