Oakham independent shops call on town to support local businesses
Small traders are asking the town to support them and appreciate the shopping experience they have on their doorstep.
The market town of Oakham and its historic high street has received regular bashings online and was criticised at a recent local council meeting and so in response a group of small shop owners have come together to ask the town's shoppers to spend their pounds with them.
Connie Taylor, who owns a ceramics store in Mill Street and is in her fifth year of trading, said: "We do offer something really nice, not just to Oakham but to the region. We go above and beyond for our customers.
"But life on the High Street and on Mill Street has become really, really tricky.
"When I read criticism in the press and negative comments on social media, it just paints such a grey and depressing vision of the town – which Oakham is not. What we offer is a place to talk, a place to be."
Peter Enderbury, who runs menswear store Enderbury's Outfitters, agrees and says he would have not opened a store anywhere but Oakham, which he says has something special.
He said: "We have heard the word apathy used about retailers – but we have been having meetings for months. We all get involved, our energy is good."
The cost of living and online shopping have however made an impact on the vibrancy of the town centre, which is quieter since covid.
Sian Lewellen, who owns haberdashery Darn Knit in Mill Street, said: "I have had the shop for eight years and in that time I think Oakham residents' reaction to us as a town has changed. If you go on all the Facebook groups and read what people say, they all want Greggs and Primark. They want us to be like Leicester and they don't appreciate what they have got on their doorstep. We want to change that.
"It is changing the mindset of the people in the town. A lot of people say I don't bother to shop in town because it is too expensive. People say I cant buy anything for under a fiver – but I am sorry that is not true.
"Definitely since covid there is a mindset of people only wanting to shop online because it is cheaper or they want to shop in big brands because it is cheaper. Some just can't appreciate how special it is to go into a shop and speak to people who are passionate about what they are selling."
Photographer Sushil Pattni of Sonara Studio says that things have changed in the past 20 years and the town has lost some of its vibrancy, but raising awareness of all the specialist stores would make a difference.
Bianca Nix, who owns bar Ovation in Gaol Street with her husband Chris, who is also the town's mayor, said there is a very good relationship between shop owners who want to work together to promote the town.
She said: "I am from South Africa and we don't have anything like Oakham there. It is a typical small town, it has a lovely street and it is safe. You can't go anywhere without having a 10 minute conversation with somebody and that is so lovely."
In recent months the town council and county council have been meeting with traders to discuss how to give some oomph back to the shopping experience and the council has hired a town centre specialist to come up with a plan on how to boost trade. While meetings and discussions have been had, nothing has, as yet, been put in place.
Ruthie Page, who runs lifestyle shop Mango and Moon on Mill Street, says that the 'circular conversations' need to end with action.
She said: "There is a lack of someone to bring it all together. We are all organising, we all care, but then you get chastised by the public. All we need is one person to pull us together and join the dots up. We are each trying so hard and on a good day it is just magic."
The traders say that longer periods of free parking, possibly increasing the free one hour to three, would make a difference and encourage people to make their visit more of a shopping experience.
They would also like more care taken to look after the look of the area and signage to direct shoppers to streets such as the hidden Gaol Street. A tourist information point is also on their list of hopes, so that people who visit other areas such as Rutland Water and the local hotels, are made aware of the specialist stores in town.
A spokesperson for Rutland County Council said: "Town centre plans are progressing as part of a wider piece of work that aims to enhance our public realm across the county. We are planning to run a public consultation on these plans in the coming months. Reports will then go to cabinet later this year, to consider the wider public realm framework and town centre action plans.
"Both Uppingham and Oakham will receive an allocation through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund for town centre and high street improvements, to support the implementation of these plans. This follows on from previous allocations of UKSPF funding given to Oakham and Uppingham Town Councils to support town centre improvements in 2024/25. We will continue to engage with each town council around plans for spending and delivery, going forwards."
Mango and Moon is holding a summer soiree on Friday, June 27, from 10.30am to 7.30pm, with pop up stalls.
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