Fresh calls for free car parking in Scunthorpe town centre after businesses note drop in trade

“See this link if you think that like you I am telling porkies......

http://tinyurl.com/9f6939z

Loads more if you care to Google, loads of reports, surveys etc...... So feel free to protect your buddy but you need to get your facts right next time.”

“All well and good buffering but it has been responsible for a 24% decline in UK High Street footfall. So it doesn't do what it says on your tin.”

“Anyone that knows anything about retails knows that the Internet aides the High Street as many people search online for the products that they want and then visit the stores to buy them. Not everyone views shopping as a chore and many, many people do actually enjoy browsing shops for items that they have first sourced online. If used well, the internet can often be viewed as not just a place to make sales, but also as a portal to a town and store.

Something's lend themselves more to the internet than others, for instance; the latest versions of Call of Duty is the same no matter where you buy it from, whereas a shirt, pair of jeans or dress can be different sizes for different stores, this means that many people prefer to maintain a "Touch and Feel" approach as opposed to seeing it as just another item.

Anyhow, if a store in Scunthorpe is selling online to people in the four corners of the planet, then does it really matter as those people would never visit Britain just to buy clothes anyway. But by buying online they have created jobs in Scunthorpe and as such boosted our local economy.

So Mr DFlated what, exactly, do you do to boost our local economy and how many people's wages do you personally pay from your own money???”

“GP123 - I asked you to comment on internet trading, it's effects and the fact that the chairman of this mickey mouse set up contributes himself to declining footfall. I bet you don't reply. I await you response as I have been.”

“GP123 - get off here and leave it to us locals. Site troll.”

“It doesnt matter whch town you live in as vast swathes of its inhabitants will always say that it's a dump. Funny old thing, though, is that many of them rely upon that "Dump" for a job and also for somewhere to live.

If the town failsthenjobs go, when jobs go the welfare burden increases, use ad abuse of drugs and alcohol increases and to fund it the crime rates go through the roof. House prices slump and for those lucky enough to have ajob, normally in the public sector, xes rise and pensions are cut. You think that things are bad now, then continue to pend all your money in places like Sheffield, Leeds and York every weekend then before you know it they'll be no jobs for your kids, grandkids or family.

So, whats the best solution? Put all your eggs in one M&S basket, a company whose decisins are based upon Share values and upon ethics! Or do we encoe our council to provie parking in a car park that's not making any money anyway?

If all it takes is for free parking to encourage people to visit our town even just once a month then the ra jobs that that would create surely has to be a good thing...”

“And as for living in Gainsborough it was people like you which made it so bloody awful for so many years, Marshalls Yard is there now because the Council went along with a very well thought out investment, a very similar plan was dejected by the Council in Scunthorpe very recently. Seriously, do your homework!”

“DFlated. I actually I live 30 miles away and have done so for 30 years, and work all over the UK. I have no vested interest in anything in Scunthorpe but have lived in a town which was totally unsuppported by the local people for decades. Its extremely disheartening to see its a very similar situation in so many other decaying towns all over the country. I don't shop in Scunthorpe, never have, but I will always support independents, and I can honestly say I can't see what earth these poor guys are doing wrong simply trying to attract people to YOUR town!”

“Scunthorpe has a population of around 72,514. These people are instead of been focused on the town centre are now spread out to the far corners of town by the supermarkets and the larger stores. Like in the US the car is the key factor determining where shops are based now not the communities where people live. Scunthorpe may even consider itself lucky that we still have a cinema located in town.

And out of that 72,514 one has to take away all those who work outside of the town or work in business which also lay on the outskirts of town so you can't always rely on lunch time shoppers like you would find in many of the larger city high streets. Also you can subtract students. The main cluster of students are stranded on a self contained island on the otherside of Central park. At lunch times they don't migrate to the town centre to eat as it's too far away. Those who live outside of Scunthorpe have cars or are collected by buses which mean they have no reason to step foot into town even as a means to travel home.

One possible solution to improve footfall into the Town Centre would be to move the Train Station down the track towards the bottom end of town. Almost to where it was orginal placed. The people would then be forced to step foot straight into the town. They would have to walk through Church Square to reach the Bus Station and return there in the evening. The whole area would have a renewed focus and purpose.”

“GP123 -

"Id love to know what those who have a constant negative outlook on these individuals, actually do with their own lives. What contribution are you currently making to the town?"

Bit harsh to be honest; playing the man and not the ball. Many people contributing on this site do contribute to the town; working here, paying taxes, volunteering. Do you always have a pop at your customers?

"M&S profits were down this May, well I hope all those who have turned their back on the independents are completely convinced that M&S wont let them down, because when the town is dead because you're all too obnoxious to support it, there might not even be an M&S to turn to"

We are all obnoxious are we. Can't hear that enough from a local businessman (or woman) wanting to attract customers; what a lovely comment. Please let us know which business you run as I'd love to come in and spend my money with you!!

Alternatively to their profits being down M&S might turn their back on Scunthorpe because they are having to have to go through the High Court just to build a shop. If they do turn their back on the town we will know why. Personally I am indifferent to M&S coming to Scunny; however the more I hear from local business people the more I wish that they would hurry up and get it built.”