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BBC News
14-04-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Leatherhead and Chatham: A tale of two high streets:
A difficult financial climate and declining footfall are making it harder to become a high street success is certainly the case in the Surrey town of Leatherhead and Chatham in Kent, both of which are at the centre of regeneration the projects promise plenty, businesses are trying to survive amid quieter high streets and greater overheads. BBC South East has been out to meet shoppers and businesses over a busy Easter holiday break to get their views on their high street. Leatherhead's footfall Leatherhead resident Paul thinks the town should be "more successful than it is"."The money's here, there's lots of wealthy people here but they don't shop in Leatherhead," he to data from the Inter-Departmental Business Register (IDBR), Mole Valley - the main towns of which are Dorking and Leatherhead - saw a 13% reduction in retail businesses between 2023 and 2024. Mole Valley District Council (MVDC) says this figure is based on "misrepresenting data" due to some businesses being incorrectly classified. Lucio Dilena, the owner of Lucio's Coffee & Deli, admits the town "does lack in footfall" but says a good reputation ensures his business remains strong. Lucio really notices a difference on the days when there are market stalls on the high street."It's great, because if the town's busy, everyone's busy," he said its Transform Leatherhead regeneration programme aims to "revitalise" Leatherhead town centre and reposition the town by providing a "wider mix of uses to meet the evolving function of our town centres". From the 14-18th April, BBC South East will be getting out and about on our region's high streets. Catch up on BBC South East Today on BBC iPlayer and listen to BBC Radio Kent, Sussex and Surrey on BBC Sounds. Chatham's challenge James, who works in the Chatham Intra - the town's creative and heritage quarter - said: "I've seen the creative community develop since I've been working here."That marries up with the IBDR statistics, which show an increase in retail businesses from 685 in 2023 to 710 in 2024. Antwon feels the high street is "getting there slowly but surely", adding that "development is the key".Sam Maric and Sara Woodley have been running No.64 Coffee & Brunch in the heart of Chatham for just over five years."We just open every day and see what comes," Sam said, describing business as "totally unpredictable".Having survived the pandemic, Sam says they are now experiencing "worse" cost of living pressures. Until last year, Matt Simms was able to rely on small business rate relief for the Unique Boxing & Kickboxing Gym, which has been on the high street for 15 April, a 75% discount to rates was replaced by a discount of 40%, up to a maximum of £110,000. Matt's £957 charge in 2024 rose to £2,794 this government has been approached for a says he is "having to try to evaluate different ways of how to absorb those costs". He admits it's "tough" to operate in this part of the high street but feels his gym offers people a sense of belonging. Dr Tim Akers, development manager of the Federation of Small Business in Kent and Medway, believes the high street is in a "disastrous" state."I started in this role at the tail end of Covid. It was better then," he says, blaming the cost of living said when the middle class feel the pinch "that's when small businesses suffer".The recent increase to employers' National Insurance Contributions (NICs) has been particularly difficult, he a gloomy picture, Tim is confident businesses can recover but need to be confident that "there aren't going to be any more fiscal shocks".A spokesperson for Medway Council said: "We recognise Chatham High Street has suffered particularly since the pandemic and needs help to once again become the vibrant town centre it was loved for. "Nevertheless, millions of pounds are being invested in Chatham's town centre, and there is still much on offer including independent shops, thriving theatre and award winning café and art gallery."
BBC News
14-04-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Sadness at shop closures in Worthing
People in Worthing say it is "sad" that more than a dozen high street shops in the town have closed shops closed in the West Sussex town in 2023 and 2024, according to the latest Office for National Statistics figures, while there was also a 10% drop in retailers across Sussex - a total of 625 residents said there was "nothing to do in Worthing any more" – but others said the town was doing better than other places in the Borough Council was approached for comment. 'It's quite upsetting' "It has been pretty quiet, it can be very up and down," said Lorette Sprackling, owner of Bijou Boutique in Warwick Street."Because we've had quite a bad winter it's not been exactly busy but I think the high streets aren't as busy as they used to be."It's not a good sign to have that many shops empty. It's quite upsetting knowing there's that many shops to let."People also complained about roadworks to install the Worthing Heat Network by Hemiko. The company helped introduce free parking days and bus travel into town to try to encourage shoppers to visit."I think Worthing is one of the lucky places where we have quite low vacancy rates with empty shops," said Paul O'Brien, who has owned sweet shop I Love Candy for the past 18 years. He added: "I think compared to other places in the country we're doing okay."The Hemiko works are hopefully finished and we have done good work with them to bring in free parking days."Worthing resident Claire Szaja said the town was "not doing as well as it used to".She said the roadworks were an issue and that businesses were "struggling with parking prices going up"."I have seen businesses cutting hours and even closing down in the last few months which is sad," she added. Shopper Sally Richards said: "It's sad that there is hardly any big departmental stores now. But we do love coming here, it's central for everything and pedestrianised so it's good."A spokesperson for Hemiko said it acknowledged the challenges businesses were facing but it was "committed to supporting the local economy" and to keep disruption from construction to an "absolute minimum". From 14-18 April, BBC South East will be getting out and about on our region's high streets. Catch up on BBC South East Today on BBC iPlayer and listen to BBC Radio Kent, Sussex and Surrey on BBC Sounds.
BBC News
14-04-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Farnham businesses say they welcome town improvements
Businesses in Farnham have said they are feeling positive about a programme of improvements in the town, but there was concern about the government's changes to National Insurance and business which started in February include wider pavements, more pedestrian controlled crossings and changes to the gyratory, with two-way traffic introduced in parts of Downing Street and The Borough.A Surrey County Council (SCC) spokesperson said they would continue to work to minimise disruption as much as owner of Hamilton's Tea House, Steve Hamilton, told BBC Radio Surrey that the mood amongst retailers was "quite buoyant". He acknowledged there were some concerns in the short term, including around pollution levels."Sometimes the perception on social media is that the traffic is worse than it is," he said. "It flows. Yes, there's stagnation at certain times. That's short lived and the traffic does flow through."For customers, Farnham is going to be beautiful and a much nicer place to visit and shop in." From 14-18 April, BBC South East will be getting out and about on our region's high streets. Catch up on BBC South East Today on BBC iPlayer and listen to BBC Radio Kent, Sussex and Surrey on BBC Sounds. Mr Hamilton said they were being "hit hardest" by the Chancellor Rachel Reeves' decision to raise employer National Insurance contributions and reduce business rates relief from 75% to 40%.Michaela Martin, owner of the boutique Mulberry Silks and a Farnham Residents county councillor, agreed it was causing problems."I don't think Rachel Reeves even thought about that... somebody who's never been in a small business doesn't realise [the impact]."Ms Martin said she was "quite happy" with how the works were going and that she "can't complain" about trade at the moment."Farnham is a destination town," she added. "We have so many people from Marlborough, Andover, across the south coast, Dorking and everything coming [here]." An SCC spokesperson said: "While data shows that levels of car park use in Farnham remains the same, we will continue to work with the local community and local businesses to support Farnham, and to minimise disruption as much as possible."We'll also be encouraging people to consider how they travel into town, both during the works and beyond. "Changing to walking, cycling, using public transport or parking in different car parks will all help reduce pressure on the town centre's roads."A Treasury spokesperson said the government knew the "vital importance of small businesses" and had taken "necessary decisions on tax to stabilise public finances"."We are now focused on creating opportunities for businesses to compete and access the finance they need to scale, export and break into new markets," added the spokesperson.
BBC News
12-02-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Kent body positivity influencers prepare for West End
Two advocates for body positivity who have almost a million Instagram followers between them are taking their online mission to the Adlington and Lottie Drynan, both from Kent, are encouraging their followers to embrace their body shapes and duo will present their Same Dress Different Bodies Live show at the London Palladium on 23 with BBC South East Today, they said their pilot show last summer was "empowering, amazing and freeing" for those that attended. 'We want diversity' Asked if society has made progress when it comes to body positivity, Ms Adlington said: "We were definitely seeing progress when we were in lockdown, [but] sometimes I feel like we've gone the other way."We're very keen that we don't 'skinny shame', but we want to see diversity."The pair are also are trying to encourage women to feel comfortable in the clothes they wear."Dress for joy, bring your personality out, wear what you want," said Ms Drynan."We've been told we have to flatten our bodies. For a lot of women, it's emotional when they realise 'I've been hiding my body rather than using it as a way to express myself'."
