ALTRINCHAM A UNIQUE INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITY Contents

Welcome 3 Why Here, Why Now? 4 Welcome First class transport connections 5 A top food & drink destination 6 Premium retail opportunities 7 An expanding, improving leisure quarter 8 To A thriving evening economy 9 Modern Market Town A strong commercial sector 10 Excellent accessibility 11 A growing urban residential sector 12

space in Manchester city centre Altrincham is a town that has never stood still. During attracting huge premiums, many Altrincham BID — Putting businesses its seven-century history it has lived through many firms are realising that setting their in the driving seat 13 reinventions: royal market borough in 1290; medieval sights just eight miles south gives them all the advantages of the UK’s What is a BID? 14 textile town; market-gardening centre; commuter second biggest city, but without haven for city merchants; manufacturing boomtown. the overheads. Altrincham Unlimited? 14 Today that spirit of innovation the restored Market Quarter and The creation of Altrincham’s How does Altrincham Unlimited operate? 15 and renewal is as strong as other historic assets, and to link Business Improvement District 5-Year Business Plan 15 ever. Altrincham is once again key town–centre destinations. The (BID) in 2016 gave rate payers the reinventing itself — this time as result is an atmospheric, walkable opportunity to establish a fund Key Projects Years 1–2 16 a thriving modern market town retail and leisure environment with of more than £1.4million to spend with a rich retail, recreational, and something for everyone, from on town centre improvements over residential mix that is meeting the premium high-street brands to a five-year period. In conjunction changing needs and aspirations of passionately–independent traders. with Council and other key 21st-century consumers. There’s a real sense of place and partners, the BID, now rebranded as soul that can’t be replicated either Altrincham Unlimited, is investing Altrincham Market, judged the online or in an anonymous out-of- to future-proof the town centre and country’s best in 20151, is as town shopping centre. bring growth for all its businesses. relevant in its own way as it was The potential — and our ambition — in the thirteenth century — a unique, Altrincham is also the location is indeed unlimited. hugely–popular community space of choice for a growing number at the heart of the town centre of commercial firms, many with So why not join us, and be part and a gastronomic destination for an international client base, which of the next chapter in Altrincham’s day–trippers from across the North are benefiting from the town’s never-ending story? West and beyond. unrivalled regional, national and global transport connections, The past few years have seen Manchester-wide talent pool, and major investment in the town- excellent professional services centre public realm to complement and support. With Grade-A office

3 WHY HERE, WHY NOW? FIRST-CLASS TRANSPORT I don’t think everyone appreciates the friendliness of the town, or the fact Altrincham is the CONNECTIONS gateway to lots of other great places to visit in the Altrincham area and further afield in to Cheshire and Warrington. In recent years, I’ve also noticed there’s been a massive increase in the number of bars, restaurants and leisure businesses springing up inthe Altrincham is without doubt one of the best- town centre, which is helping to connected market towns in the UK, uniquely drive a booming night-time economy positioned to offer convenient local, national Altrincham hasn’t seen for years. and global access. The fact that many of the town’s great assets and popular amenities With a quarter of visitors arriving Only minutes by car from the M56, are within walking distance of each by public transport, Altrincham M6 and M60 orbital, Altrincham is other at first sight doesn’t help the Interchange, which benefited from also singularly well placed for the taxi trade, but people do have to get a £19 million transformation in 2014, national road network. Birmingham, home at the end of the day. A thriving is playing a key role in the strategic Liverpool, Leeds and Sheffield are Altrincham, as part of a prosperous vision for the town centre, offering all under an hour’s drive away. Trafford, is clearly a good thing for a single modern gateway for bus, And with Manchester International everyone whose livelihood or business rail and Metrolink services that link Airport, the largest flight hub in is linked to the area, including Altrincham with locations all over the UK outside the South East, taxi drivers. and Cheshire. just a ten-minute taxi ride away, According to market research produced for Altrincham Unlimited The Metrolink-integrated light rail Altrincham is a convenient and in early 20172, visitors rated the town “good” or “very good” and tram system brings passengers cost-effective base from which Paul Kinsey for its... from all over Manchester city centre to conduct global business, as Association of Trafford Taxi Drivers in less than half an hour, directly the town’s growing number of linking the town with national rail international firms will attest. services at Piccadilly and Victoria transport Food & stations, while a single connecting connections Drink Shops platform at Cornbrook Metrolink station offers easy access from Salford’s Media City, Manchester entertainment International Airport, and As a place Way-finding & leisure to work all corners of the facilities on foot Greater Manchester metropolis. Cleanliness & Safety & appearance Atmosphere security

5 PREMIUM RETAIL

Being based close to the Market House has helped us become OPPORTUNITIES part of a thriving food and drink scene in Altrincham, which attracts a very diverse crowd and has a great continental atmosphere about it. I’ve lived in Altrincham for There’s also another music and café bar Recognised in recent years as one of the top ten years and we’re in the midst of a return culture developing around the Goose to the thriving, independent and high- town centres in the country for premium retail quality mix of shops and services we Green neighbourhood, which is now 3 attracting a younger audience, meaning investment , Altrincham is attracting a rapidly- were once famous for. there really is something for everyone increasing footfall with its eclectic mix of on a night out or at lunchtime. From having rows of empty shops A TOP FOOD trusted high-street brands and specialist five years ago, nearly every available If you want to get away from the hustle independent retailers. retail unit is now being snapped up by and bustle of all the different pubs entrepreneurial operators bringing a AND DRINK bars and restaurants, there’s also a More than two thirds of those visiting (Altrincham’s official market day since welcoming mix of retail and cafe culture surprisingly large amount of greenery Altrincham do so primarily to shop4. 1290) and weekends hosts a plethora to the town. But the town still has a and open spaces both in and around the Currently home to just over 400 of fresh food stalls — among them strong identity rooted in a proud past. DESTINATION town centre. In fact, one of my favourite ground floor units and more than long-standing traders — selling high- things to do when I’m not working is to 50,000 square metres of retail space, quality fish, meat, cheese, fresh fruit In summary, we’re a market town sit with a decent cup of coffee and the town centre has seen its vacancy and veg, and artisan baked goods. building on our history while looking watch the world go by at a café rate plummet over the past three Themed Saturday and Sunday markets very much to the future. overlooking Stamford Park. years. It now stands at less than 10%, also cater for lovers of vintage fashion down from an estimated 30% back and furniture, house and garden wares Altrincham has earned a well-deserved reputation I think this contrast of a being a busy in 2010 (a sad legacy of the growth and contemporary craft, enlivened by Dan Hepner in the past few years as one of the North West’s urban hub, which also has leafy streets in out-of-town shopping). And with street food vendors and live acoustic Founder, Live Louder and parkland just minutes away, makes Altrincham having benefited from music which bring a constant sense most important gastronomic destinations. Altrincham really stand out as a great substantial drops in business rates as of occasion to the weekend scene. destination for visitors and part of the 2017 revaluation, this figure Central to this has been the runaway with further seating is busy residents alike. is set to fall even further. South of the market, along some success of Market House, a hub for as often as the weather allows. of Altrincham’s quaint low-density independent food-and-drink traders Distinctly European in feel, this The return of confidence in streets, a range of independent shops situated in the town’s Victorian sociable space hums with activity Adam Whitworth Altrincham’s retail future is reflected and boutiques offer a browsing municipal market building, which from morning to evening six days General Manager, The Con Club in Trafford Metropolitan Council’s experience all together different from now attracts customers from across a week. £3-million investment in public realm that of the modern Stamford Quarter, the region and beyond. A £650,000 improvements over the past few years. the town’s recently refurbished anchor transformation in 2014, part-funded Meanwhile, Altrincham continues New landscaping, street furniture retail area, where modern, white- by Trafford Council, saw the old to attract new restaurant investors and planting are bringing a more rendered double-height glass-fronted market stalls replaced by ten food at a dizzying pace, with over 25 new attractive, leisurely, joined-up feel to units house a range of high-street and drink outlets which line the food and drink establishments having the wide, tree-lined pedestrianised stores, cafes and restaurants. perimeter of the vaulted hall in fired up their ranges here in the past streets and squares, complementing open-fronted, timber-framed units. 24 months alone. the preserved Victorian, Georgian and Investors in Altrincham town centre Carefully curated by founders Nick medieval architecture. can take advantage of Trafford Johnson and Jenny Thompson to While always ready to make Council’s Town Centres Loan Scheme, ensure quality and diversity, these room for the new, Altrincham These developments have been which has already encouraged 20 niche micro-restaurants serve up a also continues to champion its carefully designed to create a unique businesses to open in Altrincham. range of artisan fare — much of it traditional establishments, thanks and authentic shopping, leisure and Businesses occupying formerly vacant produced or sourced locally — to to generations of loyal customers cultural experience that offers far more units can apply for interest-free loans customers at rustic communal who still appreciate a good-value than an afternoon of online purchasing of up to £20,000, plus up to £5,000 tables. Outside, a canopied area pub lunch or “chippy tea”. or a trip to an non-discript retail park for promotion and marketing and up ever could. to £1000 to help businesses upskill or improve customer care.5 In the historic Market Quarter, the covered market on Tuesdays 6 7 When I was looking for a AN EXPANDING, second site for our gallery I looked at Manchester’s Northern Quarter and several other North West locations but as soon as I came across Altrincham IMPROVING I’ve been living and working I just knew it had to be here. There is a positivity around the place which is here since 1998 and there has definitely infectious. I felt right at home, and part been a step-change in the last few years. LEISURE of the community, within our first few We’ve seen the return of a booming weeks of opening. evening economy, mostly driven by food and drink, as well as a rapidly- QUARTER And while Market House and Stamford A improving retail scene. Some parts New Road is thriving with great of the town also now feel very independents and quality artisan cosmopolitan, and there’s a whole operators, the whole of the town al fresco, bar-hopping and people- is buzzing with a real sense of confidence. THRIVING watching culture developing, which As Trafford’s principal town, Altrincham is To put it simply Altrincham is ‘cool’, in the UK you usually only find in cities and that is exactly the type of place like London, Bristol and Brighton. already well established as a cultural and leisure I want for my business. destination offering activities for all ages and EVENING There’s also the chance to meander through the town’s many streets and interests and attracting visitors from across open spaces and find something going Jonathan Shingfield the borough. on every day of the week. The fact Director, The Contemporary ECONOMY we’ve got cars, bikes and pedestrians all It offers two theatres; numerous live- Trust deer park and Grade I-listed co-existing peacefully on our roads also music venues; several art and craft mansion two miles away. adds to the bustling, urban atmosphere. spaces — both hands-on and hands- off — and a soon-to-be-relocated- The first phase of the Altair This re-energised town centre vibe and-improved library. development, an iconic contemporary Altrincham is really vibrant Altrincham’s evening economy goes from is also helping to stimulate a real sense apartment building housing 59 and incredibly well connected thanks strength to strength. Nominated in 2011 by of civic pride that we’ve not had for a The town affords a huge range of residential units, will provide new to the Metrolink, closeness to the airport long time. I myself share in this, and it’s opportunities for leisure investors, ground floor units suitable for a and the motorway network too. It’s on the Guardian newspaper as one of the best great when we invite clients over to our many of them clustered in a growing range of leisure and retail uses in the the edge too of the beautiful Cheshire places in the country for a pub crawl8, major studios because they are all blown away Leisure Quarter. This area, east of heart of the Leisure Quarter. Due for countryside, with Dunham and Ashley investment in the intervening years has created by the place we get to call home. Stamford New Road, is anchored completion in the last quarter of 2019, just a few minutes drive away. by major facilities including Greater it will also provide a new permanent a sophisticated scene that encompasses Altrincham is rapidly becoming a place Manchester’s only ice rink (home to entrance for Altrincham ice rink. One highlight for me is the market — everything from traditional pubs to lively where people want to be — whether to the Manchester Storm ice hockey it’s brilliant and has been a true catalyst live, work, or simply to hang out. That, team); a five-screen cinema showing As part of a £25-million strategy to for the town’s revival. Some of the wine, Belgian beer bars and glamorous in turn, attracts more people, and with the latest releases as well as live West encourage more physical activity, independent restaurants like Sugo cocktail dens. such increased footfall and density End transmissions; a council-owned Trafford Council is also proposing and the Con Club are brilliant too. comes even more investment. I’m family leisure centre with its own to invest £10 million in a brand new I think Altrincham has it all — a wide Many of these are concentrated in therefore very proud to have played crèche; and other privately-owned leisure centre for Altrincham. Its range of housing, amazing schools Altrincham’s charming conservation a part in Altrincham’s phenomenal revival, gyms and specialist fitness studios. research found 46% of residents who for every age group, fantastic nightlife areas including the Market Quarter, both personally and professionally, and Slightly further from the town centre were ‘inactive’ were keen to take part and a transport interchange that has Old Market Place, Goose Green, Ashley I’m greatly looking forward to seeing lie Altrincham Football Club; the in sport and fitness6. While Trafford benefitted from a massive Road and the Downs on the southern what the next 20 years will bring. 16-acre Grade II-listed Stamford Park residents are already more active on investment. edge of the town centre. offering playgrounds and picnic average than those in the North West facilities; The Cinnamon Club, one of and England as a whole7, this indicates Goose Green, especially, comes into Lindsay Humblet the north west’s premier jazz venues; a huge as yet untapped market. Andrew Butterworth its own in the spring and summer, Partner, Planit IE and , the National Sales Director, Bruntwood when customers at the assorted bars and restaurants sit out until late under permanent glass canopies in the beautifully-lit cobbled square. 8 9 A STRONG COMMERCIAL We now have the best of both worlds here, all the same benefits the city centre has, including an excellent SECTOR talent pool, but without the overheads There are very few places Everyone in the team loves working like Altrincham where you have in Altrincham and many of them travel such a great choice of things to do here from Manchester and further afield. concentrated into such a small area. It has such a buzz these days, with great The mix of independent retailers places to go for shopping, lunch and EXCELLENT dotted throughout the town, together after-work fun. with the wealth of bars, restaurants and cafés which have sprung up in ACCESSIBILITY recent years, has helped to create Ruth Shearn a visitor experience you’d struggle With its superb transport links, plentiful parking, Managing Director, RMS to find elsewhere.

one of the best talent pools outside the south east There are also lots of fantastic assets and excellent professional services and facilities, which aren’t that obvious when you first a growing number of companies are choosing come into town. For example, when I Altrincham has a relatively affluent primary started working here I was surprised Altrincham as the place to base their to discover we had a 2,000-seater ice catchment population of 109,000 residents rink just a few minutes’ walk from the commercial operations. centre, and only when you look up can living within a 10-minute drive and 402,000 you appreciate some of the beautiful within a 20-minute drive. Plentiful, affordable Georgian architecture we have. The town is on track to have almost of digital marketing agencies are now 14,000 square metres of office space concentrated in the town, pulling in parking is crucial to Altrincham’s continuing Other useful facilities, such as the by the end of 2020, much of it promising young graduates from all vitality, both as a key destination for visitors bike-hire service which operates from concentrated in the Commercial over Greater Manchester (see RMS the station, mean you can explore all Quarter to the north of the town centre. testimonial, right). from across Trafford and Cheshire and as the surrounding villages and parks, Some 2,000 square metres of state- an employment hub providing more than and even somewhere as stunning as of-the-art Grade-A space are set to A strong creative sector is emerging Dunham Massey Hall is only a 15-minute be added as part of phase two of the too, centred on one of the UK’s 11,000 jobs. ride away. We really do have it all, and Altair development (see page 12). newest Fab Labs. Offering digital it’s great to be part of Altrincham’s fabrication equipment for both regeneration and revival. Bruntwood-owned Station House, commercial and individual use, this is With robust input from local more pedestrian and cycle-friendly a landmark building on Stamford a brilliant creative space for budding businesses, Trafford Council is through, for example via improved New Road just 50 metres from product designers and entrepreneurs Altrincham has so much to committed to achieving the right pedestrian links, better way-finding, the transport interchange, offers to test their ideas and bring them offer a company like ours with a young, mix of short and long stay parking and the installation of cycle-parking John Thimbleby traditional leasehold, serviced-and- to life. dynamic workforce. There’s a good to support these objectives, balancing facilities at key locations. Manager, Scope Shop managed office space, as well as choice of office accommodation, plenty the need to keep parking charges virtual offices and meeting room With an eye to the growing gig of leisure and fitness facilities for staff — competitive with the requirement to facilities. Other office hubs are economy, Altrincham entrepreneurs as well as a great choice of eateries and raise vital revenue for public services. located in Kings Court, The Bloc, are also pioneering new ways of shops. Plus we have excellent transport Alongside the public realm works, Downs Court Business Centre, working and connecting. Alt Space, links with the Metrolink, rail and road ongoing local-authority investment Charter House, Market Street and for example, is the town’s first flexible networks, enabling our people to travel includes a dedicated Signage, Parking Market Court. co-working space for freelancers, in from Manchester and all over the and Access Strategy to improve the offering either hotdesking or North West. visitor experience for motorists. Professional B2B services have permanent workstations by the established a growing presence in hour, week or month — a welcome Another key goal for council Altrincham over the past few years — alternative to home-working for Vikki Codd investment is to make the town centre from law and accountancy to IT and many self-employed people. Marketing Director, NES Global Talent data analysis. A substantial number

10 11 A GROWING URBAN ALTRINCHAM RESIDENTIAL SECTOR BID — What really struck me when I first opened in Altrincham was the incredibly tight knit and supportive community which exists. Everyone PUTTING A growing appetite for town-centre living looks out for each other, and both is driving strong growth in Altrincham’s residents and business owners are genuinely neighbourly, friendly residential and buy-to-let investment, and helpful. much of it through conversion of former BUSINESS There’s also a camaraderie between retail or commercial sites. many of the young entrepreneurs who have started businesses in recent years, This is augmenting an already strong modern Altair scheme includes 36 and they are all pulling in the same IN THE stock of housing in and around one bedroom and 23 two bedroom direction with a very positive view Altrincham. The local property market apartments in the first phase alone, of the town and its potential. has long been one of the strongest designed by acclaimed Manchester in Greater Manchester, with levels architects Stephenson Studio; Many of these companies also aren’t of owner occupation well above the while one of Altrincham’s unloved on the main thoroughfares, meaning DRIVING SEAT national average. Areas such as Hale, 20th century buildings, Clarendon you can now wander down side streets Bowdon, Broadheath and Timperley House, conveniently situated directly and discover new bars, cafes and shops offer a wide range of options to suit opposite the Interchange, is being tucked away in quiet corners, all In November 2015, three quarters of Altrincham businesses (by rateable all income brackets within a mile or promised a fresh lease of life with surrounded by fantastic architecture value) voted to establish a Business Improvement District (BID). two of the town centre. plans for high-end residential units and history. behind a smart renovated facade. What does it mean for the town centre? Finally, I think one of the great examples of the quality on offer in Altrincham today is the fact I can get a fantastic cup of coffee from a different independent outlet on my way into work every day of the week. People really are spoilt for choice, and its great as a business owner to be part of the town’s renaissance.

Jennifer Jameson All this is leading to the rebirth of Managing Director, Jameson & Partners Altrincham town centre as a vibrant, Estate Agents safe, well-populated neighbourhood that buzzes with activity day and evening. Easy and affordable access, Altrincham is well known locally as a foodie via public transport or on foot, to destination. There are lots of new and exciting businesses The reclamation of town centre jobs, outstanding local educational coming here, so we’re happy to have invested into the town heritage assets for both owner- establishments (the town is regularly and to have created 30 new jobs. The place has exceeded occupier and buy-to-let investment ranked among the best in the our expectations. is gathering pace, with local property country for schools), facilities and companies rethinking the use of shops, means less use of cars. Thus, prominent but often neglected the impact of traffic noise, pollution

buildings to deliver them back to the and congestion will continue to Rob Beacham Co-owner, Bistrot Pierre community and the local economy. reduce, adding to a quality of life At the other extreme, the ultra- that is increasingly hard to equal.

12 HOW DOES ALTRINCHAM UNLIMITED OPERATE? The Alty crowd is wonderful. WHAT IS We get lots of repeat custom and we also get guests who haven’t been to the Northern Quarter branch wanting to try A board of ten local business representatives, When I first came here it after coming here. predominantly from the private sector, in 2009 many people were writing the town off and said its days as an A BID? From day one the Altrincham BID team oversee the work of the Altrincham Unlimited attractive, busy and prosperous market has been super supportive. They came management team. town were over. Eight years on and by the shop many times when we were that negative and defeatist view has A BID, of which there are now more than 200 decorating to see how we were getting There are also two Advisory Groups covering Marketing & Events and been eclipsed by one of confidence in the UK, is a business-led partnership working in a on. I’ve never worked with a BID before, Business & Operations, made up of volunteers from levy-paying businesses and optimism, underpinned by a sense but they’ve really helped us out and they and local community groups. Guided by a stringent set of regulatory duties of determination and ambition shared defined area to deliver services and improvements. include us in future plans, marketing in relation to accountability and governance, Altrincham Unlimited works amongst a new generation of local In an era of declining local authority revenues, it provides vital income campaigns and events. closely with Trafford Council’s economic growth team and other partners business owners and entrepreneurs. for communal projects through a levy on all business-rate payers, and to drive ongoing investment — for example, through the council’s interest-free gives local business-owners and managers a strong, united voice Town Centre Loan Scheme for new businesses that take on vacant units. The results of this turnaround are in lobbying for greater public sector investment. Alex Watt also clear to see on an almost daily Owner, Sugar Junction basis. Shop units are being newly let — or are undergoing re-fits and upgrades — at a staggering pace, and we have a new mixed-use and residential developments springing up all around the town. And while Launched in April 2016, a reinvigorated night-time economy WHY IS THE Altrincham BID immediately ALTRINCHAM is helping drive a lot of this change, there is also evidence that a revived set about creating a dynamic retail sector is also starting to grow ALTRINCHAM BID UNLIMITED’S and flourish. new brand and identity. I believe Altrincham has a great NOW CALLED The result, Altrincham Unlimited, reflects the BID’s FIVE YEAR opportunity to build on some very vision of Altrincham’s unlimited potential as a strong foundations and create a place to do business and invest; and its unlimited destination where people want to ALTRINCHAM ambition to secure Altrincham’s future as one of BUSINESS PLAN live, work, visit and spend money. the most successful and thriving market towns in As a high-street retailer battling the region. Its website, altrinchamunlimited.co.uk, The Business Plan covers three main themes. both out-of-town malls and online UNLIMITED? provides for the first time a one-stop resource for Over its five-year term, projects will be developed discounters you really can’t ask information on the town centre, as well as a place for much more than that. for levy-paying businesses to list their services and delivered to target improvements in each area. and advertise job vacancies. Stuart Marshall Experience Altrincham: Manager, Dawsons Music Giving people more reasons to visit, more often, by creating a strong and stylish consumer identity for the town and a high-quality programme of cultural events.

Rediscover Altrincham: Putting the heart back into Altrincham to ensure shoppers and local residents feel welcome in the town.

Business Altrincham: Improving working life for businesses in Altrincham by effecting long-term, sustainable change through proactive leadership and collaboration.

The full Business Plan can be downloaded at www.altrinchamunlimited.co.uk 14 15 WHAT HAS Sharing business expertise

Altrincham Unlimited teamed up with the Manchester Business Growth Hub to deliver a range of events designed to ALTRINCHAM help levy-payers expand their markets, develop new products and services, enhance leadership skills, explore marketing and digital opportunities, raise productivity UNLIMITED and improve sustainability. The first programme included four masterclasses for the B2B community on strategy, ACHIEVED business finance, digital and leadership. Improving the town centre environment

Altrincham Unlimited has put a number SO FAR? of measures in place to ensure the town centre is an attractive place to dwell. The Altrincham Unlimited Board has also committed to funding regular cleaning of When we first opened I really ‘unadopted’ areas of Altrincham not covered wasn’t sure what kind of people would by council contractors, including all ginnels, come through our doors, and I thought Back Grafton Street, Central Way, The we’d get mostly those into crafting and Causeway and Denmark Street. more traditional making. However, the mix of local students, young professionals, Promoting levy-paying businesses techies, engineers, artists and designers all Altrincham Unlimited has already helped bring about a range of improvements via targeted campaigns using the space with such enthusiasm and that are paying demonstrable dividends for local businesses. passion really reflects the creative energy In Altrincham Unlimited’s first 18 months and diversity which runs throughout of operation, a number of marketing the town. Footfall-busting We were overwhelmed Following a ten-minute campaigns have highlighted diverse What’s also clear is that Altrincham offers community events by the turnout for the Goose meeting, [Meercat] managed business sectors, including ‘Be HeALThy Here’ focusing on health, wellbeing and a great mix of shops and services to meet Green Summer Festival. It was to save us over a £1,000 on One of Altrincham Unlimited’s key fitness, ‘Food & Drink Fortnight’ promoting the needs of such different audiences. priorities is to raise the town centre’s great to work with Altrincham our energy bills — far more than special events and offers in restaurants, The main high street, Goose Green, profile as a vibrant community where Unlimited to showcase the Bid Levy itself! pubs and bars, including a town-wide Tapas Stamford New Road, Market House there is always something going Altrincham at its very best. Trail and ‘#Shoptober’, a digital campaign and the many side streets all offer on, encouraging locals to stay close highlighting the variety and high quality something for everyone, and I really to home and visitors to keep coming Richard Kiel of independent shops in the town centre, enjoy the buzz around the place. It’s a back. A successful series of cultural Anthony Prophet Managing Director, supplemented by a printed Shopping Guide. small town with a lot of personality — events have included a vibrant The Green Room, Grapevine Computers Ltd and until I worked here I didn’t realise quite how dynamic and diverse summer music festival centred Goose Green on historic Goose Green, Halloween its residents and businesses trails and a programme of Christmas The well-executed campaign really are. events and activities. Understanding customers’ gave us and other health and fitness Saving Businesses Money needs and aspirations businesses a month of high-profile In the absence of council provision Anthony Lamb of Christmas lights, Altrincham Altrincham Unlimited appointed Specialist research firm Ministry coverage. In terms of new members Manager, FabLab Unlimited funded festive displays specialist consultants Meercat of Results was commissioned in it has been hugely successful. across the town centre, and in its first Associates to help local businesses cut March 2017 to conduct on-street two Christmas’s has delivered hugely costs across a range of utilities including surveys of 250 users, followed by a successful Christmas lights switch-on energy, telecoms, testing, pest control targeted focus group to provide rich Stuart Wheadon events driving significant year-on-year and merchant fees. Five months into qualitative data. The results will inform General Manager, Total Fitness increases in footfall of +13% in 2016 the year-long contract, the firm had Altrincham Unlimited’s investment and +29% in 20179. identified over £44,309 of savings, with decisions in Years three to five. just under £29,000 of these already realised — an excellent return on an initial investment of less than £15,000.

16 17 We play an active role in the BID, and we’re proud of the work the group has done on major infrastructure improvements and regeneration NOTES initiatives. These have had a really positive impact in the town including attracting visitors to the 1. Observer Food Monthly Awards 2015 town centre

2. Ministry of Results Research branded agents conducted a total of 259 on-street interviews in Altrincham town centre. Interviews took place between 14th and 23rd March 2017 Peter Mayhew I had heard great things 3. List compiled for Property Week magazine by location experts CACI in November 2015, Manager, Marks and Spencer were happening in Altrincham with identifying the 10 towns and cities in the UK with the greatest capacity to support more the revival of the market and when premium retail brands within their centres I came to visit I thought, this place 4. Ministry of Results Research, March 2017 is just going to get better and better.

5. See www.investintrafford.com/TownCentres There’s a great sense of community 6. Trafford Council report Increasing Physical Activity across the Borough, 15 November 2016 in Altrincham — it is incredibly friendly. And it is busier than ever. 7. Ditto When I first opened up some Recently I’ve started to notice an 8. Where’s the Best Place for a Christmas Pub Crawl, Guardian Newspaper, thought it was a bit of a risk as we increase in visitors from overseas Friday 23rd December 2011 are on the outskirts of the centre. — Spanish, French, German and But quite quickly things began to American. th 9. The Retail Bulletin, 28 December 2016 pick up as more empty units started to get occupiers — including lots of Altrincham is definitely on the map — independents determined to make I’ve seen several online tourist guides a go of it. With that also came a real saying it’s a must-visit for people sense of community and mutual coming to Manchester. I feel very support between business owners, lucky to have found this location. which really helped us to develop In terms of both footfall and sales, our own offer and drove us on. every month is better than the same time last year. You can also see how that collaborative spirit manifests itself with the extensive range of festivals and events the town Amy Bartlett puts on. Many business owners clearly Founder, Idaho get behind these initiatives for the good of the whole of Altrincham, and not just to benefit their own financial situation, which is very refreshing.

It’s also a very liveable town, and the fact a lot more residential development is underway in and around the centre is testament to its appeal as place to live. But compared to some other Greater Manchester boroughs, which are considered affluent, fashionable and up-and-coming, Altrincham has shops, services and amenities which appeal to lots of different groups from a very broad demographic. Business has been booming This I think sets it apart and helps since we arrived. We do a lot of make it a ‘working’ market town — interior design work locally but we and not just a place which only appeals have clients coming from all over, to certain types of residents, visitors Yorkshire, Wales, even London — or investors. they like that they can get here easily and just pull up outside. The overheads are affordable and we’re Johnny Hansen also getting more passing trade Owner, Oxford Road Café than before as the footfall is so good.

Carol Rankin Owner, Rankin Styles Interiors

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