Wellingborough town centre health check 2024 - we took to the streets to see how it's faring
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The Northants Telegraph conducted its annual town centre health check in Wellingborough in January, with the data showing how much it has changed over the course of the year.
Shoppers’ habits have changed as a result of the pandemic and cost of living crisis, and towns up and down the country are having to evolve to fit people’s needs.
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Hide AdThis year, 321 units in Wellingborough were recorded and categorised including those in Silver Street, Midland Road, Market Street, Oxford Street, Cambridge Street and Swansgate Shopping Centre, with results showing some key differences from 2023’s data.
Here’s what we found.
The data – how is Wellingborough faring?
When we conducted similar research in 2023 we discovered that, while new stores were filling gaps in the centre, the volume of vacant units was higher than Corby, Kettering, and Rushden, sitting at 16.4 per cent. In 2024, that number has risen to 17.4 per cent thanks to the closure of Wilko, O2, Barclays and Flowers by Lisa, the latter being one of the town’s oldest independent shops that has since relocated.
This is substantially higher than in Corby, which currently has a 9.4 per cent vacancy rate.
Button Boutique was also one of the more established shops to close its doors, but despite the business being heroically saved by Old Quirky Antiques, the old unit is now without an occupier.
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Hide AdSpeaking about the current state of Wellingborough Sarah Meehan, owner of Old and Quirky Antiques said: “I believe Wellingborough town centre is faring better than some, but could be greatly improved upon as there seems to be an abundance of barber shops, vape stores, nail bars and takeaways.
"The only way to attract more people to Wellingborough is with a more diverse range of shops and eateries.
"Filling the shops with independent stores of all types will drag the chain stores back to the high streets.”
Other figures in the data suggest a decrease in the availability of hair/beauty outlets, with 2024 numbers declining one per cent to 11.8, however, it remains the second highest represented category.
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Hide AdFood and drink makes up a larger portion of the town centre than last year, up to 28.6 per cent from 27.1 per cent in 2023, thanks to the re-emergence of UglyMug and the recent opening of Fireaway Pizza in Pebble Lane.
Mixed retail made up 8.4 per cent of units, and ‘other’, which included solicitors, tattoo shops and community services also made up 8.4 per cent.
The lowest recorded category was a three-way tie between books/music/entertainment, vape shops and gambling outlets, with each representing 0.9 per cent of the town centre.
Town centre regeneration is what people want
Town centre regeneration has been a talking point during the upcoming by-election in the Wellingborough constituency, with candidates highlighting the need for change to keep shoppers interested in what it has to offer.
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Hide AdWe took to the town centre to talk to people about their priorities, with the town centre chief among them.
Keith Maycock said: “Improving the state of the town centre and trying to attract shops to the town centre, something such as Wilkos and more police. I don’t like coming into town at night-time.”
Mother and daughter June Chimes and Emma Dubignon said: “They need to sort out the town centre because it’s rubbish, they could do it with investment from central government. It used to be a lovely market town.
“There needs to be more independent shops and have a crackdown on crime.”
What do you think about Wellingborough town centre?
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Hide AdYou can share your views by joining the debate on our Facebook page or emailing [email protected].
The full break-down of all categories recorded is:
Vacant – 17.4 per cent
Beauty/Hair – 11.8 per cent
Cafe/Restaurant – 9 per cent
Fast food/Takeaway – 8.7 per cent
Mixed retail – 8.4 per cent
Other – 8.4 per cent
Food retail – 5.6 per cent
Pub/Bar – 5.3 per cent
Estate agents – 5 per cent
Clothing – 4 per cent
Pharmacy/Health 3.4 per cent
Banks/Financial – 2.8 per cent
Charity Shop – 2.8 per cent
Phones – 1.9 per cent
Newsagents – 1.2 per cent
Jewellery – 1.2 per cent
Books/Music/Entertainment – 0.9 per cent
Vape Shop – 0.9 per cent
Gambling – 0.9 per cent