By Jessica Ranginui and Leon Gray-Lockhart
FOLLOWING on from the findings of the Stratford District Council Economic Survey, the Stratford Press team asked business owners what they thought of the results.
This week we hit the streets again, but this time talked to local shoppers.
Shoppers included high school students, families with young children, senior citizens, farmers and more.
On Monday, March 16, the editorial team asked 50 shoppers their views on shopping in town.
The survey was conducted between 3.15pm-4.30pm.
The questions asked were:
- Do you shop locally? If yes what main businesses do you use?
- The local council economic survey suggests that local residents want businesses to stay open until 5pm on Saturdays. What are your thoughts on this? If this happened would you support the local stores.
- The local council economic survey suggests there are traffic issues in Broadway. What are your thoughts on this?
- The local council economic survey suggests that some residents believe local businesses are expensive and don't stock a wide enough range of products. What are your thoughts on this?
- Following on from the survey, what types of stores do you feel are lacking/missing in Stratford?
It was interesting to discover that majority of those interviewed believed Broadway had serious traffic problems, shops shouldn't open on a Saturday afternoon, local businesses are expensive and major shops missing from town were McDonalds, clothing/shoes stores (especially for teenagers and men), toy stores and another supermarket.
Including the five visitors to town from Auckland, Tauranga, Hawera and Wellington all shoppers said they usually or sometimes shopped in Stratford.
Main businesses visited included the two chemists and bookstores, New World, Mitre 10, Best n Less, Devon Sweets, Video Ezy and the local dairies and takeaways.
Of the 50 shoppers 26 locals said they saw no point in businesses staying open till 5pm on a Saturday.
"No, I wouldn't shop on a Saturday. Everybody deserves a day off. Late night shopping would be better."
"I don't agree with that, weekends are a good family time."
However, the 14 that said yes they wanted Saturday shopping raised some good points.
"Yes, especially in winter, my entire morning is filled with kids sport and then come lunch time I have to drive out of town for what I need."
I work Monday to Friday from 8am to 5pm, with only a few 30-minute breaks. I only have the weekend to shop. After my sleep in I am forced to travel out of town."
Although the council economic survey suggested businesses did not want a bypass it looks like local shoppers do, with an incredible 42 shoppers saying there were traffic problems in Broadway.
"The roundabouts cause problems for side coming traffic. People just pull out and don't indicate. You can't see when reversing because of the steep road angles."
"I have a hell of a job getting in and out of car parks. There is an incredibly high volume of traffic and you can't always find a park. However, it is good there are no parking metres."
"I hate the traffic it's a nightmare. We don't use our car to come to town anymore or else we park right at the end and walk in."
Just over 50 percent of those surveyed said local businesses stocked expensive products and didn't have a wide enough range.
Also six shoppers believed the stores were expensive, but believed they have the right to be in moderation of course.
People mostly complained about the price of clothing in town.
Of the 50 people interviewed only three people said that shopping in Stratford fulfilled their needs. They said they had no reason to shop out of town.
"As far as me, everything is satisfactory for now. May want something different later."
Over 70 percent of the remaining shoppers wanted more clothing stores, with teenage clothing at the top of the list, followed by menswear and under fives.
A second supermarket was asked for by 28 shoppers and 10 shoppers want a McDonalds Restaurant. Next on the list was the need for a shoe store and a toyshop.
Surprisingly, only four shoppers asked for a Warehouse.
Although this is only a tiny glimpse into what Stratford shoppers want - some facts remain the same as discovered in the council's economic survey.
To share your thoughts and opinions the community and business owners are invited to a public meeting on Monday, March 23 at the War Memorial Centre function facility from 5.30pm.
For more details about the council survey please refer to page 8 in this week's Press.
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