Trade ‘Worse Than During Recession’

A Market Harborough shop owner says his trade is worse than during the recession a decade ago.

Duncan Murray, of Duncan Murray Wines on Adam and Eve Street, says his takings have dropped 10% in the past year and other retailers are also suffering.

Duncan Murray

New figures show Harborough has seen 12 shop closures in the past year and 6 openings.

In the last month, KFC and Meatcure have shut and travel agent Thomas Cook will close next month.

Duncan, who is Membership Secretary of the Market Harborough Chamber of Trade, and is encouraging people to support the vast array of independent retails, spoke to Hfm:

A combination of Brexit uncertainty, leading to slower consumer spending, compounded by high shop rents and shoppers taking advantage of on-line stores in being blamed, although a number of businesses have received a discount on their business rates in recent months.

Harborough Council say footfall figures in the town centre are on the increase after the usual lull after Christmas, and say its Business Support service is available to all local businesses.

Retail expert Michael Weedon, who lives in Lubenham, is the National Policy Chair for Retail and High Streets at the Federation of Small Businesses.  He told Hfm Market Harborough is doing all the right things to attract shoppers:

Retailers and business owners are being encouraged to go along to the next meeting of the Market Harborough Chamber of Trade and Commerce to discuss trade in town – it’s taking place on Wednesday April 24th at the Angel Hotel from 6pm.