Gentleman's Walk
Norwich named as one of the top 10 shopping destinations in the UK
Emma Knights
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
12:27 PM
Norwich has received a major boost in the run-up to Christmas after again being named as one of the top 10 shopping destinations in the UK.
It caps an exciting year for the city’s retail scene, which has seen about £80 million of investment.
Key retail people in the city have said the success is due to its diverse mix of shops – which the Evening News is promoting with our Love Local campaign that supports independent retailers who play an important role in keeping Norwich unique.
Norwich is ninth in the latest VENUESCORE survey by retail experts the Javelin Group – above the likes of London’s Oxford Street and Cardiff, and just behind places like Glasgow, Manchester and Edinburgh.
Norwich held on to last year’s position of ninth and, in an additional boost, the study suggests the city is well-placed to rise further in the rankings. It said Norwich has a very dominant city centre with its unusually high concentration of shops being a major factor.
Peter Mitchell, managing director at Jarrold, said: “In Norwich we have got very modern shopping malls and we have got a great range of independent shops and one-off stores you cannot find anywhere else. There is a great choice and it is all very accessible - we have one of the best park and ride services in the country.
“Being in the top 10 is a confirmation of the progress over the last five years or so in Norwich in terms of new stores coming in.
“It is a healthy retail scene despite very tough economic times.”
Stefan Gurney, Norwich City Centre Partnership manger, said the VENUESCORE study reflected Norwich’s very strong central retail sector, meaning when people shop in Norwich, everything they need is in the city centre.
He added: “The VENUESCORE study reflects the level of retail offer in the city, the difference in offer, and the quality of offer.
“If you compare the types of cities in the list, we are there alongside much larger metropolitan cities. There is the likes of Manchester, Leeds and Liverpool, and for Norwich to be in there, too, it shows the quality of the draw we have - from the presence of high end shops in Chapelfield to the diversity in the Norwich Lanes, and the fact we are the only place outside the West End to have six department stores including an independent department store.”
Nick Bond, VisitNorwich’s head of toursim, said: “We are delighted Norwich remains in the top 10 of UK shopping venues and is predicted to move up the scale in the future.
“This year the city has relished in major investment recognising the city’s potential for expansion and growth.
“This investment will further drive home the message Norwich is a great city to visit for shopping, whether you live in the East of England or further away, as well as being a great city for heritage, culture, local food produce and entertainment.”
About £80 million of investment has been ploughed into the city’s retail scene this year - including multi-million pound investments at Marks and Spencer and John Lewis.
Andy Barber, manager of Norwich’s Marks and Spencer, said: “If you look at the make-up of the city, it has all the major players including ourselves, John Lewis, Debenhams and House of Fraser, and what I like about Norwich as well is its great independent offer including Jarrold and the small independent boutiques. There is a really good mix and there are more reasons now for customers to come to Norwich.
“I am finding that customers who have not been to Norwich for a long time are now making the journey to shop here.”
Richard Marks, general manager for John Lewis, in Norwich, which will officially launch its £7m refurbishment on Saturday, said: “Being in the top 10 reflects the growth of Norwich in terms of shopping offer - lots of new shops have come to Norwich in the last 10 years or so and people travel from quite a large area to come to Norwich.
“It recognises the importance of the city within the region. Our own investment reflects our confidence in Norwich as a retail destination and I am delighted we are able to provide the best possible shopping environment.
“Norwich is unique in terms of so many major department stores and a significant independent sector.”
Norwich’s shopping malls - which the VENUESCORE study said made up nearly a third of Norwich’s retail scene - were similarly upbeat.
Davina Tanner, Chapelfield Shopping Centre’s general manager, said: “We are delighted the city has cemented its position within the top 10 shopping destinations in the UK.
“Norwich has incredible diversity as a shopping destination. We have large independents such as Jarrold and smaller specialist retailers sitting comfortably alongside prestigious department stores such as House of Fraser and contemporary brands such as Apple and Hollister Co. in Chapelfield.
“The fact Chapelfield is attracting more and more new brands such as [restaurants] YO! Sushi and ASK Italian demonstrates Norwich is a thriving and exciting shopping destination, appealing to visitors as well as local shoppers.”
Victoria Merrison, from The Mall Norwich, added: “It’s great news Norwich is still the ninth top shopping venue. It’s another positive sign that retail in Norwich continues to stay strong in the current economic climate.”
Roger Pemberton, from Norwich Lanes, said: “It is great to hear Norwich is consolidating itself in the top 10.
“It is a great testament to the diversity of the shops. It proves the new developments and the malls have complemented what was already there rather than threatening that. At Norwich Lanes we are thrilled to be part of Norwich’s success. We urge everybody to keep supporting all aspects of the city to make sure Norwich continues to be a great destination.”
• Each year VENUESCORE ranks the UK’s top 2,000 retail venues including town centres, stand-alone malls, retail warehouse parks and factory outlet centres. It compares key differences between shopping venues including scale of offer and market positioning.
For more information on this year’s VENUESCORE study visit www.javelingroup.com/en/venuescore.aspx
• What do you think of Norwich’s retail scene? Email eveningnewsletters@archant.co.uk
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20 comments
And Yarmouth has to be one of the least popular ! Love Norwich, we should all treasure it and try to keep some of the character that keeps it special. Harry, use the P&R and chill.
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Daisy Roots
Friday, November 11, 2011
What would make Norwich a truly great place would be free parking, like our cities in the North.
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Whiley Boy
Thursday, November 10, 2011
But that's all you do Abraham, I think that amounts to pointless whinging whiny negative posts in there own right, probably more so, don't you agree ?
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chucky noris
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Peter I only criticise pointless whinging whiny negative posts. Whats your excuse??
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Abraham
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Norwich is great for shopping, be proud of our city, if you dont want to shop in Norwich fine, but why winge about something you dont want to do, all the folks shopping in Norwich must mean Norwich is doing something right.
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Melvyn Parkerson
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
NchNthMan you're correct, it's just regurgitated news from previous years. I think it's meant to make us feel happy or something.
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nrg
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Why does Abraham always criticize other comments ? Whilst rarely managing anything on the actual subject ?
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chucky noris
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
This is not new news this old news released every year. Norwich has for a long time been in the top ten. Its about time it got itself into the top 3.
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NchNthMan
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Up there today no many people about and all shops ,no one in them
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billythebookie
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Make parking much cheaper or free, drastically reduce business rent and rates and put the policy of making life as difficult as possible for motorists into sharp reverse. If unsightly parking meters are scrapped there will be no need to modify them for the new debased steel coinage that will soon be foisted upon us by the government. Put more money in people's pockets by easing punitive taxes and the effect will boost retail sales. Easy isn't it? none of this will happen of course so most of us will carry on ordering goods from the internet and avoiding the nightmare of negotiating our way around the city centre pig circus.
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Harry Rabinowitz
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
City centre shopping is OK, if you love inconsiderate mothers with double buggies blocking up the doorways while they natter with their friends!
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chebram71
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
I DONT AND I WONT --THANKS FOR THE ADVICE.
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bookworm
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Dont like City centres? Dont go. Plenty of people do though. WUM = wind up merchant.
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Abraham
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
you like paying excessive parking fees?and crowds pushing up against you on the pavements?and over heated stores where you cannot breathe properly?
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bookworm
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
i don't know what WUM is? i know what C.O.D. is though.
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bookworm
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Supermarkets are the worst thing for cities. They destroy local communiites and city centres. We are very lucky to have such a great city centre with a huge variety of shops. But why stop there? In areas with long term empty shops why not write off the business rates in there and allow local shops to be used as incubator units for graduates of the NUCA? This allows Norwich to hold on to its graduates enhancing the cultural commnity and increases the vibrancy of an area. This has worked in London.
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cm85
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
A good news story and still we get whingers. Come on people, Norwich offers such a wide range of shopping, lets be happy for a change. OTBC!
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Whiley Boy
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Whats wrong with these serial whingers? We get a good local news story and all they can do is find a way to rubbish it. Maybe they are just WUMs.
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Abraham
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Personally I keep a far away from Norwich City Centre as possible, apart from all the obvious annoyance, the pollution is just atrocious.
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John L Norton
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
im not addicted to shops and mallsApart from food shops i rarely buy anything unless really necessary.Avoid the city and the high parking fees--go to a supermarket.I bet other countries have free access to these shopsmalls.
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bookworm
Wednesday, November 9, 2011