There’s no doubt that Ripley faces some significant challenges but it also has some great assets and
opportunities to build on.
Challenges:
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Leakage of consumer spending to competing towns |
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Current economic climate in the UK |
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Decline of the market with a falling number of stallholders |
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Retail tenant mix and consumer choice |
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Car parking is often poorly signposted and accessibility unclear |
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Town centre dominated by cars |
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Limited cycling facilities |
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Access difficulties for retails on Oxford Street |
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Poor physical fabric at Coop, major road junctions and library |
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Poor north-south linkages |
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Streets and spaces dominated by vehicles |
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Difficult to find your way around...visual connections limited |
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Quality of certain buildings does little to promote strong image for the town |
Opportunities:
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Strengthen appearance of existing Character Areas: Eastern Approach, Market Place and Approach, Retail Spine, Church setting |
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Enhance sequential views along main town centre approaches |
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Develop north-south linkages through the town |
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Strengthen existing spatial form at Market Place and Church by improving the public realm in a manner which enhances the historic setting of these sites |
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Celebrate existing landmark building of recognised quality (Town Hall, Church, Knightsbridge Place, Godkin House) |
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Attract A3 retailers to the town who will offer a more diverse evening economy for the wider demographic population |
