An open letter urges Herefordshire Council to do the right thing on grid

6:00pm Friday 3rd August 2012 in Letters

AN open letter to Herefordshire Council leader Coun John Jarvis.

We the undersigned wish to point out that Britain is now in the midst of the worst double-dip recession for 50 years.

Economic forecasts – whether predicting changes in the UK, Europe or the whole world – are universally bleak.

British householders (especially pensioners) have never had to endure such straitened conditions in peacetime. There are now more than 200 charity food banks in the UK, with new ones opening at the rate of one a week.

The construction industry and its cousin the commercial property development sector are in the doldrums, with a virtual nationwide freeze on major city centre retail developments.

Yet Herefordshire Council, alone, plans to initiate its muchvaunted £80-million Edgar Street Grid shopping development on the empty site of the old livestock market, designed by Stanhope plc and funded by British Land.

Press reports and cabinet and council meetings over the last six months have recorded innumerable contractual changes which these developers have wrung from your council, from alterations to site boundaries to long-term purchasing options. It has been a one-way traffic in concessions.

Now we learn that Stanhope and British Land want you to lift the restriction against them encouraging established city centre traders to move to the Edgar Street Grid .

Here, they clearly have the bigname multinationals in their sights. This would, we believe, sound the death knell of High Town and the knock-on effect on traders in Broad Street and St Owen Street would be catastrophic.

Your cabinet is now under pressure to approve this major amendment.

The thinly-veiled threat by one of the developers, reported last week, makes chilling reading.

This would be an utterly foolhardy move, which the people of Herefordshire would never forgive you for and from which this city might take decades to recover.

The alternative – to refuse the developers’ latest demands (which, privately, many Conservative members of your administration probably know is the ‘honourable option’) – might result in the Edgar Street Grid being ‘mothballed’ for the foreseeable future. But Herefordians would applaud your candour and respect your integrity.

Now is surely the time for a responsible administration to be preparing realistic alternative uses for this highly-prized city asset.

This is Breadline Britain, Coun Jarvis, not Never Never Land.

NICK JONES, BRIAN AND MARY CALDICUTT, PETER AND MARJORIE COCKS, GERALD DAWE, JOHN FAULKNER, JANE GUTTERIDGE, ADRIAN HARVEY, ROB HATTERSLEY, KEITH JAMES, RAE JONES, STEPHEN KNIGHT, BRIAN MEE, MIKE MORLEY, LIZ MORAWIECKI, DAVID PHELPS, HUBERT PORTE, EDWARD PRITCHARD, REBECCA ROSEFF, JAQUI TONGE.

Comments(23)

William Rudd says...
12:30am Sat 4 Aug 12

Look you muppets,there are 20 shops being built on this land.
Stanhope have filled 70% of these shops already without going anywhere neer the shops in the City Centre.
That is around 14 of the 20 shops filled.
So we have six shops to fill with over 500 shops in the City even if they did poach six it would make very little difference.
You make it sound like the City Centre will close altogether and relocate to the Cattle Market.

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William Rudd says...
12:32am Sat 4 Aug 12

Oh and before i get where did you hear that from here is the statement from Hfd Futures
We would like to update you all and let you know that we were with Stanhope and its team last week for an update meeting. We are pleased to report that over 70% of the total new retail and restaurant area has been reserved by tenants, which is a tremendous achievement in the present market and testament to the quality of the scheme that is being delivered in Hereford. There are still a few outstanding details and technical issues that Stanhope is working through as swiftly as possible and we appreciate everyone’s patience as these are finalised. Given the current economic climate progress is remarkably good and we are looking forward to sharing lots more good news with you as soon as we’re able.

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probono says...
10:01am Sat 4 Aug 12

The usual anti everything crowd **** about progress. I expect they will put it onto their toxic Facebook page too. Do you really want to halt progress and investment into our fine city ? Yes is the answer of course, but why is the difficult thing to understand. Please take a step back and think of the future of the young people. It is well know that 18 to 30 year olds leave this City because it holds nothing for them and her is a glimmer of hope and you lot are trying to stop it.

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trucking says...
11:00am Sat 4 Aug 12

If i want to go to a shopping centre i go out of hereford, if i want to go to the cinema i go out of hereford. hereford cinema is to small, no leg room between you and the seat in front of you and has one screen. Alot of people leave hereford to go shopping or to the cinema because its better elswhere. This town is years behind most other towns and all some people want to do is stop this town becoming a better place. This is already becoming a ghost town with people going elsewhere to shop, we need more here or ther will be nothing left.

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fabrinelli says...
2:46pm Sat 4 Aug 12

An open letter to stop a development that the majority want; and they think people will thank them if they succeed in their mission?

The Herefordshire equivalent of the world and his wife want this; they're obviously not part of the same family.

I moved away from Hereford at the age of 23 because of the backwards mentality and lack of vision from people like those named on this letter. Their attempts to crush this development are synonymous with the the mindset of those that helped me decide to move away. So whilst these people state that young people will always move away from home cities, just remember that most cities also attract new youngsters; through shops, restaurants, cinemas and bars; Hereford does not attract new youngsters in a percentage proportionate way like other cities do!

A flaw in the letter: you suggest the economic climate will mean this project could fail but then go on to say it will take business from St Owen street etc...thus suggesting it will the new development will be not only successful but will be so popular that it will take others business! Which is it?

Longer term, the people with the above mindset are the very people that will age Herefords population even more above the national average, local young people are moving away and new ones are not moving in. Hereford is dying and it's your fault, not that of an exciting new development that has you worrying!

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probono says...
8:57pm Sat 4 Aug 12

Well said Fabrinelli. The much maligned Herefordshire Council did a scrutiny review, led by Cllr Chappell looking at the statistics and reasons behind why the 18 to 30 year old leave this City, and you have summarised it up exactly.

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William Rudd says...
10:12pm Sun 5 Aug 12

Hereford futures on facebook

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Hereford Girl says...
3:44pm Mon 6 Aug 12

I am so glad that the response to this letter is so far matching my own,...I am sick to death of people trying to put a stop to this development. Honestly, what would they rather? An empty space left to rot and decay,..yes, that would certainly encourage people to visit Hereford! As a young (20's) Herefordian I agree with the comments previously made, if I want to go shopping I do it online, if I want to go to the cinema I drive to Worcester and so on. This development is bringing change (ooh scary) and more importantly JOBS!! It is not stealing business from town, shops that are shutting are shutting nationwide, it's not just a Hereford problem, but these new shops/businesses will bring money and prospects for a dying 'city'. So many of my friends have moved away for jobs and a better lifestyle. Change is not bad, change is good and needed. Roll on the build with all it's new shops and places to eat, I can't wait!

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Grid Knocker says...
7:59am Tue 7 Aug 12

Right class, settle down! For Master Rudd (and his numpty mates), today we're going to look at retain economics. For every £10 spent in a local food store (Fodder, frixample), £8 stays in Herefordshire. Whereas for every £10 spent in a multi-national (Tesco) £8 goes OUT of the county.

William Rudd and his ingenuous chums would do well not to swallow all that pr froth dished up by Hereford Futures, whose sole achievement in its 12-year existence has been to erect a 1km-long site hoarding - and that took them the best part of a month! So take a large pinch of salt with those "70% of the units have been let" claims: perhaps Stanhope would like to post copies of all the signed leases in a High Town noticeboard?

When British Land and Stanhope finally slink off, Herefordshire Council's admirable Scrutiny Committee should commission a Plan B for the empty Grid. It would be a fitting location for a new City Library and Arts Centre; there's a need for a multi-purpose sports facility which could double as a live music venue; and why give away the Golden Goose of a multiplex to Odeon? Keep it (and its profits) in and expand The Courtyard.

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fabrinelli says...
9:28am Tue 7 Aug 12

You simply don't get that large chains are chains because they're successful and they're what people want! They're recognised stores that the people desire! The Courtyard is an excellent facility (and also the best building in Hereford by far) and is a lovely compliment to the proposed chains. However, brand impact is important for success and not having these chains would be the downfall of the grid, rightly or wrongly (a fair debate) young people don't value the 'keeping things local' morals as much as older generations so whilst you talk about £8 out of £10, if people don't use the facility because of unrecognised brands then that profit theory/fact is negated and no profit made anyway!

Put aside this debate as right or wrong and simply ask, do the young of Hereford want this? If you're honest with yourself you know the answer!

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Hereford Girl says...
9:57am Tue 7 Aug 12

I know that I am a mere 'numpty' representative of some of the younger generations inhabiting Hereford and therefore perhaps not qualified in your eyes to comment on the changes we are facing BUT I think it may be worth noting that the reason many of us choose to use these larger chain stores comes down to the cost of things,...I would love to have the money to spend in local shops where the profit can be fed straight back into the community but frankly if I can pick up the same/similar product from a supermarket for a lot less money then I will.
Whilst I agree that the Courtyard is a fantastic venue, is it really that affordable for the whole of Hereford to access? On the odd occassion I do go to watch films there, but personally I prefer to watch a film when it has just been released, not a week before it is out on DVD! As for a live music venue, believe me, that would be fantastic,..I remember the short period of time when we attracted brilliant bands to the Leisure Centre, the days of watching Manic Street Preachers, Pulp, The Eels etc were sooo exciting when I was growing up but it was short lived and I don't believe we will be able to attract the big names that the 'youth' or indeed the 'oldies' want to see anymore, even if we had a bells and whistles location.
Frankly I feel that this is all just moving away from the key point, young Herefordians want change. We want to be proud of where we grew up, we want to be encouraged to return after uni. We may not go to the efforts of writing open letters to the Hereford Times but that shouldn't mean that our views should be pushed aside and discounted.

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William Rudd says...
10:00am Tue 7 Aug 12

Grid knocker does not get it full stop Fabrinelli.Let me guess your age 60+

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ScruffyBull says...
2:27pm Tue 7 Aug 12

For everyone who actually wants some decent variety in Hereford stay positive and support this development. There is always narrow minded people like Grid Knobhead or what ever his name is! People are either leaving/shopping away from this city, as it does not provide what people want. Most people will support local produce and be proud of Hereford, however this city is dying and is being left well behind its surround cities.

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apdor says...
2:28pm Tue 7 Aug 12

Grid Knoker .... your claims of the 10 - 2 etc may well be true, but the smaller places also only employee 1 or 2 people where as the bigger companies would be upwards of that thus reducing employment and actually giving those employed people more money to spend in the county .......

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probono says...
7:03pm Tue 7 Aug 12

Hereford Girl - you have stayed so far, well done. Many your age have already moved away, Let's hear the voice of the young; the voice of those whose Hereford Future this grid is about, not the dinosaurs and nimbys in the letter.
Those names can be seen so regularly decrying every bit of initiative to help the future of this County. From Questions to Council to a noxious website, they are there, again and again raising objection to everything that could bring change, investment and a new life to the area.

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Lukio says...
7:52pm Tue 7 Aug 12

Oh for crying out loud. You really think people move away because there's no real cinema or somewhere to buy clothes? The reason people move away is because of jobs and prospects. If you move away from the wonderful City and countryside that we have because 'there's nothing to do' then more fool you. Regardless of what ESG delivers is it going to give the high paid jobs that people move away for? I very much doubt it.

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fabrinelli says...
10:32pm Tue 7 Aug 12

Lukio, people don't move away just because of clothes shops and cinemas but they do move away because of the overall Herefordshire experience from a young persons perspective. This will include job prospects, educational prospects BUT also a choice of better leisure facilities, being able to have a 'treat me' day without having to travel to another city-a day of full retail choice based shopping combined with lunch at a recognised national chain restaurant, finished with a film where the choice is more than one film. It may also include things such as sports facilities (one average leisure centre in Hereford-no swimming pool etc). It may also include evening leisure and social scene such as bars, clubs, evening street cafes etc... Herefordshire has very few of these things! Are you suggesting that these things should remain the same and Herefordshire should allow the rapid exodus of young people? Can you tell me how Herefordshire attracts young people to the county on a permanent basis in a percentage proportionate way to other cities? What's your plan?

I talk as someone who moved away for a combination of reasons, I'm proud of being a Herefordian but there was nothing there for me. I now live in Nottingham, play for a type of sports team that doesn't exist in Hereford, shop in one of 2 shopping centres which adjoin the thriving city centre. However I'm in a low paid job, would I leave here to come back to Hereford? Not yet no! The people grasp development opportunities with vigour and hence the growing young adult population, helped by all the things it has which Hereford doesnt! Had this development (and things like the city centre paving/eign gate improvements) been around when I was there my decision to leave would have been a lot harder! These developments may not be a deciding factor in young people staying but they will play a part!

Finally, you say more fool those that leave for those reasons...well I say more fool you for judging an individual's reasons to leave for whatever reason they see fit, it's their business and none of yours!

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ScruffyBull says...
10:45pm Tue 7 Aug 12

Well said fab..... Again some people are so narrow minded. Yes the negative small majority of people (Which always exist with these sorts of projects) want the small local shops which already exist in Hereford. But surely a mix of new modern shops to please the people who are travelling away to spend money would be a good thing. These negative ppl don't seem to be thinking in the future, the population is growing. Hereford has already outgrown and out dated itself, lets actually just get on with this development and embrace the historic core with a modern twist creating more choice pleasing the young and old generations in Hereford

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Lukio says...
7:59am Wed 8 Aug 12

I am not against progress and I fully admit that Hereford needs something that will help propel it into the 21st Century.

Hereford needs something but I am not sure that ESG is the answer. We already have a shopping area - why not redevelop this? What happens when the big names from High Town migrate to the ESG area (which they eventually will). When Next, Argos, M&S, TK Maxx etc. go there, what becomes of the centre of Hereford? It'll be a mass of coffee chains and boarded-up shop fronts.

Plus how are we going to support access to the ESG? Hereford traffic is at breaking point and whatever 'relief road' solution is offered it would never be a viable replacement for a bypass. There are things that need addressing before major redevelopment is carried out.

In a report compiled by Cllr. Roger Phillips, he states that Herefordshire actually retains 70% of spend in the county which is pretty good.

We do need people to stay and use the facilities but they need money to do this. Without the jobs, no one will have the money to spend here anyway.

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ArmadilloSackRace says...
12:14pm Wed 8 Aug 12

Lukio, how do you think job opportunities wil lever come about in Hereford if we stop any further development?

Also, if we don't increase what's on offer in the city centre for young people to do in their spare time, rather than having to travel god knows how many miles just to do a bit of shopping, go to the cinema, pop to a Nando's, that kind of thing, then people won't want to stay here and do any jobs that are created in the first place. Job opportunites need to be increased, but that's just one part of what will make under 30s want to remain here.

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ScruffyBull says...
12:15pm Wed 8 Aug 12

But with this ESG more will follow. Hereford wants a uni, more higher paid jobs, etc etc. At present Hereford have been granted enterprise status, which should hopefully attract the higher paid jobs. A uni wont work at present as younger people want more i.e bars, shops, etc. So this is the start of years of positive change for Hereford. again just cause you may not like it, doesnt mean that someone else wont love it. Never going to please everyone, but im sure if everyone is positive and get on with things there will be plenty of things to come which you agree with allot more.

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leftofmoorfarm says...
1:05pm Wed 8 Aug 12

The cattle market has already gone. For the love of Mike, PLEASE, someone build something on the empty space that's left. If we keep pandering to NIMBYs and nay-sayers we'll have a big empty hole in the middle of Hereford for a generation.

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William Rudd says...
12:20pm Fri 17 Aug 12

McAlpine are already on site leftofmoorfarm and have been for the past two weeks.

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