Liscard shopowners launch a campaign to urge local people to “Save Liscard” by shopping there more

Feb 25 2009 by Carrie Catterall, Wallasey News

Liscard shopowners launch a campaign to urge local people to “Save Liscard” by shopping there more

LISCARD shopowners are urging local people to use their shops or they could soon be lost forever.

As around 3,000 small businesses shut their doors each week in Britain, shops in the centre of Liscard are also struggling to survive.

After watching the area’s shops disappear one by one over the last 10 years, Terry Hunter, owner of Bargain Hunters, Seaview Road, decided to take action.

This month he has been printing off hundreds of posters to urge people to “save Liscard”.

These posters are now on display in the windows of almost every small business in the area.

Mr Hunter, 48, of Massey Park, Wallasey, said: “I just want to get the people who live in Liscard to use the shops in Liscard.

“If they continue to shop elsewhere then we will all eventually go.

“I’ve spoken to all these businesses, some of which are closing, some are on the brink of closure and others who say the amount of custom they are getting is depressing.”

John White, manager of The Cherry Tree Centre, Liscard, disagrees with Mr Hunter’s fears and says there are 3% more people shopping in the Cherry Tree than this time last year.

He said: “We would always like to see more people but we are actually doing quite well in the current economic climate.”

Despite this however, Mr White said it is “uncertain” that the Cherry Tree Centre will go ahead with a planned extension even though it has approved planning permission to do so.

Paul Henly, policy manager for the Federation of Small Businesses, said: “Local shops are closing at an alarming rate. Once they go they won’t re-open.”

Liscard councillor Leah Fraser said: “Liscard has got some great shops and if we use them we could save them and attract more businesses into the town.”

Call 07725440637 to join the campaign.