WINCHESTER’S independent retailers are set to have a check-up from the city council.

The council has commissioned The Retail Group to assess the performance and shopping potential of Winchester’s side streets.

The Retail Group will invite businesses to provide data, opinions and suggestions that could boost trade.

They will also be asking shoppers about their experience of Winchester, looking closely at footfall across the central shopping area and comparing performance with other similar towns.

There have been concerns that Parchment Street in particular has seen a sharp drop in footfall since the traffic flow was switched around five years ago.

The Retail Group will produce an action plan, to be shared jointly by the retailers, the council and the Business Improvement District.

Cllr Rob Humby, Portfolio Holder for Economic Development, said: “The independent shops are one of the reasons why people love visiting Winchester. Over the years, we have done a great deal to support the secondary shopping streets, where many of our finest shops and eateries are based.

“We commissioned the ‘Kite Flyer’ archway to draw attention to Parchment Street and worked with Hampshire County Council to repave The Square.”

Cllr Humby also cited new pedestrian signs, shopping leaflets, web pages and PR campaigns, street parties, retail trails to encourage visitors to off the High Street.

The findings will also help to underpin work to support the vibrancy of the towns and villages around the district being led by the Council's Market Towns Development Officer.

The panel which appointed The Retail Group included representatives of Pavilion in The Square; Warrens in Upper High Street; P&G Wells in College Street and Toscanaccio’s in Parchment Street.

Crispin Drummond of P&G Wells said: “I have enjoyed being part of this process, and am impressed at the credentials and approach of The Retail Group. Shopping today is all about the experience, and I believe that the independents across Winchester offer an excellent combination of high-quality merchandise, backed by knowledgeable service and often in really interesting buildings. It’s quite possible that we are so busy doing the ‘day job’ that we don’t make the most of what we have to offer, so I am looking forward to hearing what the consultants have to say.”