Hockley Area Action Plan - Issues and Options
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Hockley Area Action Plan - Issues and Options
3.6 DEVELOPMENT OPTION 3.1 AND 3.2
Representation ID: 9417
Received: 24/04/2009
Respondent: Hockley Chamber of Trade
Area Action Plan for Hockley.
In recent weeks I have been talking to many businesses of all types in the Hockley area about the regeneration proposals.
I printed off two copies of the Report and have loaned these out to interested parties.
Most people I spoke to had not read the plan in depth but had picked up information from recent newspaper reports or by word of mouth.
There are many misconceptions mainly involving large supermarkets - Tescos in particular. There is concern over the future of the Alldays store which has been closed down recently.
Many businesses are understandably concerned that any changes may have an adverse affect on their trade.
However there is also an underlying view that there have been very few infrastructure improvements in the Hockley area for many years and that if we are to encourage more shoppers and visitors then we have to improve our offer to customers. We have an excellent community spirit in Hockley which must be fostered by offering a better range of shops and businesses.
We still have a good range of the basic trades here like butchers, bakers, greengrocers, shoe repairs, drycleaners, florists and hair salons. They can only survive and flourish if we have a good stream of shoppers ready to buy locally.
So worn out buildings may need to be improved or replaced so that modern facilities can be provided.
Upgrading the Eldon Way Estate to encourage more leisure and recreational pursuits is a popular proposal.
Adding more housing to Eldon Way is not so well received.
Better access from the village into Eldon Way Estate is a positive need as the two are remote from one another at the moment although in reality back-to-back. Customers need to get from one area to the other more easily.
There is a view that the Library car park in Southend Road is underused due to it's relative remoteness from the main shopping area. Parking for shoppers in Hockley is always a problem.
Although the village does not have a "centre" as such at the moment, no members that I spoke to want to see the Sunrise to Post Office block of shops and flats replaced by a village square.
However if the sorting office was relocated then that space could be used for new businesses.
Many businesses feel that at this time of economic recession they need every possible assistance to survive and prosper during the next few years and the regeneration plan should be part of this.
Area Action Plan for Hockley.
In recent weeks I have been talking to many businesses of all types in the Hockley area about the regeneration proposals.
I printed off two copies of the Report and have loaned these out to interested parties.
Most people I spoke to had not read the plan in depth but had picked up information from recent newspaper reports or by word of mouth.
There are many misconceptions mainly involving large supermarkets - Tescos in particular. There is concern over the future of the Alldays store which has been closed down recently.
Many businesses are understandably concerned that any changes may have an adverse affect on their trade.
However there is also an underlying view that there have been very few infrastructure improvements in the Hockley area for many years and that if we are to encourage more shoppers and visitors then we have to improve our offer to customers. We have an excellent community spirit in Hockley which must be fostered by offering a better range of shops and businesses.
We still have a good range of the basic trades here like butchers, bakers, greengrocers, shoe repairs, drycleaners, florists and hair salons. They can only survive and flourish if we have a good stream of shoppers ready to buy locally.
So worn out buildings may need to be improved or replaced so that modern facilities can be provided.
Upgrading the Eldon Way Estate to encourage more leisure and recreational pursuits is a popular proposal.
Adding more housing to Eldon Way is not so well received.
Better access from the village into Eldon Way Estate is a positive need as the two are remote from one another at the moment although in reality back-to-back. Customers need to get from one area to the other more easily.
There is a view that the Library car park in Southend Road is underused due to it's relative remoteness from the main shopping area. Parking for shoppers in Hockley is always a problem.
Although the village does not have a "centre" as such at the moment, no members that I spoke to want to see the Sunrise to Post Office block of shops and flats replaced by a village square.
However if the sorting office was relocated then that space could be used for new businesses.
Many businesses feel that at this time of economic recession they need every possible assistance to survive and prosper during the next few years and the regeneration plan should be part of this.
