BUSINESS owners, residents and councillors have shared their ideas to save Winchester High Street before it is too late.

More than 60 people attended a virtual open debate last Thursday focussing on the challenges facing the city centre and other shopping areas.

Hosted by South East Business Boost, the discussion saw views put forward on how not only Winchester City Council, but retailers, could improve the High Street after a challenging year in the face of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Andrew Gostelow, senior lead for economy and tourism at the city council, said that the district’s shopping areas have consistently outperformed others nationally, but this has been hampered by Covid. He told the debate: “Now is the time, it is very clear, to act and look at local solutions.”

Stephen Ide said that the market is important to the city centre as it “brought the footfall”. He continued: “I think most of the people I speak to look at the downfall of Debenhams and the horror of what that means to that lovely part of Winchester High Street.” He suggested that the building could be used as an indoor market.

Tony Cross suggested that the city should “offer incentives to those who are most likely to spend money in the city by travelling in bus and public transport.” He added: “Having good access to public transport is critical”.

Fulflood resident Jolyon Nott said that “wayfinding” and signage is important to help direct visitors to particular shops or cultural spots.

Angus Kirk, of Steady Course Ltd, which organises foreign language courses in the city, said: “I would say one of the major problems is the presentation of Winchester and the overall condition of Winchester.” He explained that the pavements needed working on and called the anti-terrorism barristers on the High Street “horrendous”.

The discussion also heard from Winchester BID's chief executive Paul Spencer, who said that the vacancy rate in the city centre was at 6.9 per cent at the start of 2020, but this has now increased to about 11.2 per cent.

He continued: “I think we are seeing more of a mixture of online and offline and offline the physical space is still important, people want to see products and try things – it is about a blended mix now.

“I think we have got to think about what are the things that are going to work for people, a range of products and services that are people are looking for but also that outstanding customer service.

“We have got to think about some of our spaces that are becoming vacant in the city and how we use them.”

Paul Mackie, from the Winchester School of Art has carried out research into the importance of experiential retailing. He said that the pandemic has accelerated the decline of the high street between five and 10 years.

He continued: “I think all is not lost at all, I think from this comes a good opportunity, for me we have got to give customers a compelling reason to come to Winchester. I think we have got certain elements of it but it has got a long way to go.”

Mr Mackie said that the city needs to “give people a reason to visit”, adding: “It will partly be down to customer service, something engaging, something that is memorable, something that they will tell other people about. Do something different, something that you can’t get online.”

Graeme Andrew said that Winchester does not need as many shops but suggested more living spaces in the city centre.

Peter Critoph told the debate that the city’s heritage is its biggest asset, saying “I think we should do more to maximise the heritage assets we have.” He particularly stressed that more should be done to highlight Anglo-Saxon history.