In Crieff we have a few small multiple outlets – a Semi-Chem, a Boots, a Coop and the Factor Shop.
But the decisions taken by the multiples can be strange. Edinburgh Woollen Mill closed its local branch at the same time as it announced record profits.
The real strength of our town centre is small independent traders.
The products are different and the level of service is high. You can't buy a cup of coffee on the internet, and we are proud of our great places to eat. We want to be a destination town and there are plenty of people coming to Crieff already for that.
The Crieff Succeeds Business Improvement District (BID) is working to bring more people here for activities like walks and sporting events. It is less about saying come and shop in the town but if you can increase the visitors the chances are people will also visit businesses like the butchers, the bakers and everything else. Then if a restaurant is refurbished, for example, other traders will get work and there is a knock-on effect.
But this year we are planning a couple of larger scale events to raise awareness of the town. Then it is also up to retailers to up their game in terms of customer service and take advantage of the increased footfall.
Neil Combe, director Crieff Succeeds BID
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