DESPITE the difficulties that have faced retailers in recent years, those in Spinning Gate shopping centre say they are faring well due to their loyal base of regular customers.
With the cost of living crisis following a global pandemic and shifting high street trends, it has proven tough to attract people to spend money in town centres like Leigh over the years.
The emergence of retail parks and online shopping have had huge impacts on high street footfall, so a regular customer base has become a major contributor in helping many independents stay afloat.
This seems to be the case in Spinning Gate shopping centre, as although businesses have struggled with footfall and price increases during the cost of living crisis, their regular customers are a solid source of income that they can always fall back on.
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Businesses rely on regulars in Leigh
Louise Toker, who has worked at Caffe Dolce and the former Country Larder for the past twenty-five years, said that the business has always remained steady and relied on its regulars in Leigh.
Although she has spent much less time in the business, assistant co-manager Skye Burton agreed.
Skye said: "Spinning Gate is a relatively small shopping centre but we do have a lot of loyal customers that we're lucky to have.
"Because of our regulars, our sales have not really dropped despite the pandemic and cost of living crisis, and we have really tried to keep our prices low for them.
"Sometimes it can just depend on the day; we have some days that are busier than others and you always get a drop off in January. But we always have the regulars coming in."
One thing the team did mention that may help with footfall in the coming months is the re-opening of the Home Bargains discount store on Bradshawgate, which will re-open in May.
Angela Johnson, manager of Cardzone and Thorntons, had similar feelings to the team at Caffe Dolce and says the business also has a healthy base of regular customers.
While the increasing price of products has caused some concern, Angela said she tries to counter this by keeping the stock fresh for their regulars and walk-ins.
She said: "Although the prices [of our products] have gone up, we have been quite steady over the past few years.
"Our sales have actually been increasing recently, which I think is helped by being one of the only shops to have a Thorntons franchise in the area.
"I make sure I keep the stock full and changing around to encourage people to come into the store, and as our window display came third in a national Cardzone competition, I think that shows the effort we put in!"
After keeping a steady level of customers and sales, Angela says the main issue for the business at present is the rate of brazen shoplifting that takes place.
While she has alerted police and security at Spinning Gate to this, it is a problem that is proving difficult to stamp out.
Low prices to retain regular customers
In the battle against big-name brands on retail parks and online, Steve Husdan says that an independent business can retain a regular customer base by keeping prices as low as it can.
Steve, owner of discount menswear business 'Crew', has been a figure of Spinning Gate for the past ten years, which also means that he has witnessed the changes in footfall in the shopping centre.
Steve said: "Over the past ten years, things have gotten quieter as more people shop online and at retail parks.
"But we offer value for money on the products we sell, and a lot of people come here from other areas.
"Everything has been going up [in the cost of living crisis] except for my prices, as I'm dependent on keeping costs low and the loyalty of customers [to survive]."
Regeneration necessary to transform town
While the three Spinning Gate businesses were happy with their regular flow of customers, suggestions they offered that could increase foot traffic in Leigh were having more days of free parking and lower business rents to encourage more traders to the town centre.
Wigan Council's Levelling Up bid for Leigh was also discussed as a necessity to improve the wider town centre, with a well-supported bid a possible starting point in truly transforming the town.
As the £11.4m bid for Levelling Up funding was rejected by the government earlier this month, the council has confirmed that it will submit another bid in the next round of funding.
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