Traders see red over orange sign in Rawtenstall
1:00pm Tuesday 9th October 2012 in News
By Chris Adams
The 89p Super Store in Bank Street
A BRIGHT orange sign above a new discount shop in Rawtenstall should be taken down, say business leaders.
The sign, bearing the name of the 89p Store in Rawtenstall’s Bank Street, appeared overnight on Saturday.
Former Rawtenstall Chamber of Commerce president Clive Balchin called the sign ‘an abomination’.
An enforcement team from Rossendale Council will meet with the shop’s owners later this week to discuss the issue.
The shop occupies the former home of Ethel Austin, POSH and Woolworths.
In May this year the council adopted a new set of shopfront design guidelines, which encourage good practice from Valley businesses.
Kathy Fishwick, from Rossendale Civic Trust, believes the sign is out of place.
She said: “It is in the conservation area and we flagged it up to the planners almost a month ago when it was Bargain World in putrid pink.
“That sign was being taken down on Friday night as we were going to our committee meeting and we thought it had been censored, but quite a few of us saw the replacement. If the council has had words with them they have taken no notice.”
In reference to signs, the shopfront guidelines state they should: “Avoid graphics and typeface designs which are too large within the frame of the fascia, or make use of excessive colour and texture contrasts.”
Rossendale Council is currently is the process of recruiting a new conservation officer, who will be put in place to advise shopowners on issue like this.
County Councillor Tony Winder,. who represents Rossendale North, said he hoped the problem could be resolved amicably.
“Residents of the town have been complaining and rightly so. It’s quite clear that it should be addressed.
“We have got to control the look of the town centre and anything that is a blight upon it.”
Comments(19)
A Darener
says...
1:43pm Tue 9 Oct 12
GHH
says...
2:20pm Tue 9 Oct 12
As for selling cheap dangerous tat - has A Darener been in the store? Obviously not - they do sell branded goods.
What do these people want - another empty store ?
Gaius Grossus
says...
4:05pm Tue 9 Oct 12
2 for 5p
says...
6:04pm Tue 9 Oct 12
A Darener wrote:what do you expect for 89p a brand new roex watch with certificate and a rolls Royce car
How can these shops make money? The goods they sell must be cheap tat at best, downright dangerous at worse.
vanmanstan
says...
7:30pm Tue 9 Oct 12
rockylad
says...
8:21pm Tue 9 Oct 12
A Darener wrote:Not getting a receipt once you have purchased something gives the shop owners a significant advantage over the competion. I had to insist on getting one when I purchased something from the shop!!!!
How can these shops make money? The goods they sell must be cheap tat at best, downright dangerous at worse.
TheReality
says...
9:38pm Tue 9 Oct 12
TheReality
says...
9:40pm Tue 9 Oct 12
Malthus
says...
10:31pm Tue 9 Oct 12
rockylad wrote:I agree. With such stores you should always ask for a receipt and also a description of the goods on the receipt given with a signature. I recently purchased an electric heater from a store and found that the thermostat did not work, (it did not turn off when the room temperature was adequate). When I took it back I was informed that they did not sell such a model. It was only when I produced the receipt with a threat of trading standards that I received a refund. I then took my cash and went to a well known chain store. It cost me a pound extra, but at least I know i have purchased an item that is covered by consumer legislation.
A Darener wrote:Not getting a receipt once you have purchased something gives the shop owners a significant advantage over the competion. I had to insist on getting one when I purchased something from the shop!!!!
How can these shops make money? The goods they sell must be cheap tat at best, downright dangerous at worse.
Bacupbloke
says...
5:42am Wed 10 Oct 12
The reality is that Rossendale needs a mix of shops. Did anybody notice that there were no actual traders on the new fantastic, super duper town square on Saturday, just the usual charities and community groups. Worthy but not generating income. This new shop is far better than another defunct and empty building.
Sagacious 1
says...
10:06am Wed 10 Oct 12
Bacupbloke
says...
12:11pm Wed 10 Oct 12
Sagacious 1 wrote:I dislike Asda and Tesco and use small shops where possible. But it is hardly the fault of Jake Berry- or any other MP -- if shoppers wasn't the convenience of parking and shopping at a superstore. It is a buyer's market, they only survive if they satisfy enough customers. At one time the Co-op had 25 per cent of the retail sector but customers voted with their feet. It's a democracy, people have a choice.
Why is Rawtenstall town centre full of Charity and empty shops, when it could have been another Ramsbottom! Alas fatal planning decisions like allowing the massive Asda to be build next to the centre has led to massive amounts of small businesses closing and the former proud business owners being forced to become minimum wage slave employees at Asda. Needless to say its a shame that our local MP Mr Berry can't help, but there is only so much time in the day after filling expence forms in and handing out milk at schools.
pdb951
says...
9:13pm Wed 10 Oct 12
pdb951
says...
9:16pm Wed 10 Oct 12
That cost much more than 89 pence & I know which I prefer
pdb951
says...
9:17pm Wed 10 Oct 12
That cost much more than 89 pence & I know which I prefer
pdb951
says...
9:18pm Wed 10 Oct 12
GHH
says...
1:45pm Fri 12 Oct 12
TheReality wrote:...cant do that...they would have to have all the others move their goods off the pavement too ie: greengrocers, linen shop, flowers.
PS - To the Council - Make them clear all their plastic crap off the pavement too as its a trip hazard!
It seems to be one law for this shop, and one law for the rest.
A bit of healthy competition from this shop against the Asda, Tesco, & now B & M should be welcomed not discouraged.
Are ALL shoppers to be discouraged from shopping on Bank Street ?
EileenG
says...
5:03pm Sun 14 Oct 12
2 for 5p says...
1:22pm Tue 9 Oct 12
She said: “It is in the conservation area
:-) :-o I haven't laughed so hard in ages rawtenstall town centre a conservation area. :-)
What's wrong traders don't you like healthy competition.