S Poddar
St Austell residents in Cornwall are becoming increasingly worried about the future of the town, as businesses continue to close and shoppers steer clear. The latest blow is the closure of New Look in a month’s time, as more retail chains pull out of the high street. With more than 360 of its UK shops under threat, the fashion chain’s departure from St Austell has added to fears that the town is gradually disappearing.
The town’s high street, once a thriving hub of trade, has experienced a gradual decline over the past few years. Locals claim the closures are making it increasingly difficult to shop in the town centre, with less choice available locally. Others, including large retail giants like Boots and Wilko, have already vacated, and a growing emptiness dominates the high street. The handful of remaining occupiers, among which are TK Maxx, Superdrug, Trespass, CEX, Poundland, and HM Samuel, represent some of the few big names left clinging to life.
Aside from the shortage of shopping, locals also do not feel safe going to the town centre. One resident said the deterioration was “alarming,” remembering the days when St Austell was vibrant: “I remember being brought up in the ’70s and ’80s when St Austell town was a thriving hive of shops and shoppers. Nowadays, people are too afraid to shop there in case they get harassed by beggars.”
Parking charges are another reason people are being pushed away. Some think that bringing back free parking for a minimum of two hours, as it used to be in neighboring Callington, would encourage more shoppers. One resident said, “We need free parking in all high streets for at least two hours. Callington used to have this, but once they charged, the town just died from lack of shoppers.”
In spite of all these issues, tourism is still an important aspect of the local economy. The town is situated near famous tourist spots like the Eden Project, the Lost Gardens of Heligan, and the China Clay Country Park, which attract tourists who generate substantial amounts of revenue for local businesses. Yet, while these spots attract tourists, they do not always support the high street retailers who rely on local year-round trade.
A New Look spokesperson admitted that closures can be inevitable at times, either through landlords’ decisions or financial considerations that render a location unviable. Yet the loss of yet another shop has been viewed by many as another nail in the coffin for the retail industry in the town.
The residents are increasingly frustrated, watching their town lose its identity. Some think a concerted effort between the local council and business leaders is required to bring the area back to life. Reduced business rates, security investment, and small business-friendly initiatives have been put forward as possible solutions.
Meanwhile, St Austell is at a crossroads. The fate of the town hangs on whether something can be done to revive confidence among both consumers and businesses. Otherwise, residents worry the soul of their community will continue to shrivel up, leaving only reminiscence of a former thriving town centre.
