TRADERS and parish councillors at Lymm got together to thrash out a marketing strategy to encourage shoppers and tourists back into the village.
The meeting, organised by parish councillor Graham Gowland, took place against a background of falling footfall in the village since the local post office closed and parking charges were increased.
Owners of shops, cafes, restaurants and independent sole trading businesses met in the council chambers to pull together the plan.
This was preceded by pre-meeting refreshments at The Golden Fleece pub organised by Lymm Business Social run by Colony Networking and Lymm Life magazine.
Cllr Gowland said “With all the negativity surrounding the car parking charges, we felt now is the time we need to work together to improve the local economy. Many traders are feeling the pinch and we need to reverse that.
“Tonight is all about asking the traders what they need and where they see this going.”
Mandi Foley from The Café Boat in Lymm told the meeting: “All the traders that turned up tonight have asked for the same thing. More vibrancy, more local people, more tourists.”
Philip Sexton from Sexton’s Village Bakery said: “We need to tackle the daily trade and encourage more visits to the village during the week”.
Barbara Ogden from newly opened Laurel House Interiors requested some market research both specific to her business and for the village as a whole.
Karen Taylor from Jessobel Boutique said: “We need to know what our customers want and I’ll also do some research with my customers to find out”.
Alan Williams, chairman of the Lymm Historic Transport Day and co-developer of the Lymm Heritage Centre, said: “Lymm is brimming with heritage and we have a whole calendar of events throughout the year. We need to be promoting this to people outside the village, which in turn will bring in trade. The Heritage Centre, which is due to open this year, will provide a focal point for residents and visitors keen to explore and learn more about Lymm’s rich heritage.”
It was agreed to set out to “Market Lymm” to local residents and to visitors.
Parish councillor Anna Fradgley said: “I am so excited to be part of this working group. Lymm is a great place, full of exciting, energetic people and we need to build on this to really help boost the local economy.”
