Bid to revitalise West End starts with a ‘spruce-up’

The West End Traders Association, which encompasses businesses at the west end of Montague Street and Rowlands Road, want to revitalise the area and increase footfall.

As a first step, the association is encouraging businesses to set aside 30 minutes before opening on the first Saturday of each month to spruce up the outside of their shops.

The idea has been dubbed the ‘West End Wipe Up’, and the first one took place on Saturday, with a handful of traders taking part.

Diane Guest, of the Sandwitch Bar, in Rowlands Road, said: “There are so many great independent shops, restaurants and cafes at this end of town that just seem to go unnoticed.

“In this time of austerity, the council are often unable to give us the support we need.

“We have decided to take it upon ourselves to get noticed, and give people a great memory of what shopping down the West End can mean.”

For the full story, see the Herald and Gazette, out Thursday, August 8.