7 replies to this topic

[Matthew (MPJ/Admin)]

Before the forum died in December, a debate about the participation of the various shops in the Christmas shopping evening was taking place.

In brief it was commented that national chains did not take part as much as the local shops, but that not every shop contributed to the lights or hanging baskets and the work was done by a very small number of people.

This got me wondering.

What happens in other towns, say Chesham, Amersham Old Town, Beaconsfield - do they have problems getting shops interested and paying towards the lights?

Do the lights and hanging baskets make a difference? For my part, the lights looked nice and I think the town needs to make an effort as in past years it has looked poor compared to other towns. But just because there are nice lights does not mean I will shop there, although when I am in the town I suppsoe the lights put me in a better mood. To be honest, the hanging baskets I hardly notice. So is it all worth the effort?

[Alan W]

I too - would be interested in the view of everyone - especially at this time in respect of The Hanging Baskets throughout the town. There are some 35 of them and they are freshly planted twice a year and maintained on a weekly basis at some ungodly hour of the morning - to avoid any parking problems.

I am keen to know peoples views - as like the Christmas lights they are funded partly by the Retail Community. Other support comes from Chiltern District Council, The Amersham Action Group and Amersham Town Council. Costs are in excess of £6000 per year.

The time has come for that round of Finance for this year to be raised from the Retail Community and the Residents - and any views that this Forum has would be appreciated - so it can help decide the future of this feature of our Shopping Centre.

Lets hear your views please.

[Matthew (MPJ/Admin)]

With regards to my previous comments about me hardly noticing
the hanging baskets, I should perhaps add I do notice when flower
beds look unkempt. I have seen some towns really let down by
poorly kept flowers, it gives the impression they are paying lip
service to creating a nice environment, but don't really care. I think
I recall the other year the flower tubs by the old post office looked
very poor and I thought what was the point of having them if they
are not looked after, I appreciate they are not the same scheme as
the hanging baskets. I know the Residents Association has had
some issues in looking after the flower beds close to the Free
Church and have taken steps to keep them tidy. £6000 is a lot to pay
for the baskets, can they be kept well managed for that money, or
could the money be better used - perhaps put towards flyers
promoting the town and its offers put through people's doors? If
individual shops want baskets, let them do it, but don't subsidise
those that don't want to contribute.

[Alan W]

With regards to my previous comments about me hardly noticing
the hanging baskets, I should perhaps add I do notice when flower
beds look unkempt. I have seen some towns really let down by
poorly kept flowers, it gives the impression they are paying lip
service to creating a nice environment, but don't really care. I think
I recall the other year the flower tubs by the old post office looked
very poor and I thought what was the point of having them if they
are not looked after, I appreciate they are not the same scheme as
the hanging baskets. I know the Residents Association has had
some issues in looking after the flower beds close to the Free
Church and have taken steps to keep them tidy. £6000 is a lot to pay
for the baskets, can they be kept well managed for that money, or
could the money be better used - perhaps put towards flyers
promoting the town and its offers put through people's doors? If
individual shops want baskets, let them do it, but don't subsidise
those that don't want to contribute.

Now there is an interesting idea - individual shops sponsor a Hanging Basket and get recognition for it. Maybe we need to look at that.

Yes the Residents Assoc take the responsibility for the Planters outside of the Free Church and the Royal Mail - within the overall plans for floral issues which are coordinated by the Amersham Action Group. It should also be noted that Amersham Town Council plays it part in this activity.

In this context, the Amersham Action Group - the Residents Association and others are considering a proposal initially mooted by Amersham Town Council to enter Amersham in the Britain in Bloom competion - some years in the future.

The Group is also coordinating the installation by May of this year of 4 Identical Signature Style Flower Beds at all of the key road entrances to Amersham on the Hill in conjunction with the Town Council, Chiltern District Council and a few local businesses.

[David P]

Somewhere I saw it mentioned that Amersham might like to have a shot at the 'Britain in Bloom' competition. If we really could come up to this standard then the baskets certainly couldn't be overlooked, even by mpj. On the other hand I suspect 6 grand may not be enough.

My reference is Alcester, Warwickshire, (where my Mum lives), a past regional winner, where the High Street really is a blaze of colour right through the summer months.

But yes, let's go for it - there's nothing like even a few flowers to brighten things up.

I think the idea of giving credit to those shops that chip in is a good one. If nothing else their names can be published on the website and, perhaps, on notices by the baskets.

As for the planters outside the PO, I think they are a lost cause. The concrete is pretty hideous to start with, but as soon as they have been planted the local yoof will care for the plants by watering them with lager and fertilising with chips - assuming they get there before someone else has dug them all up.


David.

[Veronica]

Just thought I would add my pennies worth, and just ask:

Why do the 4 companies pay £6000 for a string of plain white lights, when other towns, such as Chesham, CSP, CSG and Beaconsfield lights are more colourful and make the season more enjoyable?

Amersham does seem to be a rather depressing place at Christmas time, especially when other towns and small villages can do a lot better than us!

[Alan W]

Just thought I would add my pennies worth, and just ask:

Why do the 4 companies pay £6000 for a string of plain white lights, when other towns, such as Chesham, CSP, CSG and Beaconsfield lights are more colourful and make the season more enjoyable?

Amersham does seem to be a rather depressing place at Christmas time, especially when other towns and small villages can do a lot better than us!

Firstly, let me correct the misunderstanding about costs - although they are similar. The £6000 referred to was the annual costs of the Hanging Baskets in the Town. The Christmas Lights and the costs associated with the Christmas Festival come to around £10000. Finally, these monies do not come from 4 Companies - they come from The Amersham Action Group, Amersham Town Council, Community Groups and the Retailers and other Businesses in the Shopping Areas.

I am sorry that you think Amersham is a dreary place at Christmas as we often receive comments to the contrary - but presumably you would prefer coloured lighting to the display of white lights. I guess its a personal choice.

However as to the displays, you have to remember that we have quite a large area to cover in terms of the lengths of the festoons across the shops (Woodside Road, Sycamore Road, Hill Avenue and parts of Rickmansworth Road and Chesham Road - and we have over 36 Lamposts to decorate as well. Other towns have smaller areas to cover but more importantly spend consdierably more than we do in Amersham.

Our costs are restricted to the amount of monies that we as volunteers can collect - and we have a very high proportion of Chain type shops who in the main contribute absolutely nothing to either the Christmas Lights or Hanging Baskets. Other towns benefit from having a very high degree of Owner Occuper Retailers who take a pride in their town and their generousity reflects this. Little Chalfont for example - as a much smaller Retail Community is able to collect donations from 100% of the retailers in the town. Other "village" areas such as CSG and CSP also get donations from a high percentage. In Amersham we are lucky if perhaps 25% of the shops contribute to these causes.

The position regarding the funding of these annual tasks is becoming a serious question and one which we have to address if we are to see lights and floral decorations in the town in the future. The Councils already contribute substantial donations and therefore if we don't want higher council taxes we have to seek the funds elsewhere.

Let me say that we are not alone - many towns suffer such difficulties and groups like the Chamber of Commerce have been subsidising such things - and like Amersham this is a position which cannot go on for ever.

[johnnytotal]

well i think that the individual shop sponsoring of hanging baskets would be a brilliant idea, i think it is a bit of a waste of £6000 really especially when i'm sure there is something out there that would last much longer.

perhaps a mural painting or series of them would be better, just anything to brighten up the town really. some sort of art display would be great and would most likely work out cheaper (i admittedly have given this no real thought but you are considering ideas and well, this is mine).

something that would make amersham stand out, but for a good reason, would be great. it does need something to repair it's rather shabby appearance