Helen and Laura had a successful - and often upsetting - afternoon yesterday, as they visited all of the shops at Broadwalk to talk to the staff and owners about the redevelopment plans. We were welcomed with open arms and everyone was really keen to talk to us. And they aren’t happy about the development! So they were very happy to promote our petition and paper copies can now be found on the counters at… 

Nook

Betfred

Singar Beauty

Select Clothing

YMCA Charity shop

Snooker City

So if you have any friends, family or neighbours who don’t use the internet, please tell them that they can still sign the petition. We’re expecting to add many more outlets to this list over the next few weeks.

To be honest, we weren’t sure how we would be received, as our local Councillors have always claimed that the Broadwalk traders are emphatically in favour of the development, but that is very clearly not true. The 2018 plans were really good for them as all of their shops would have been renovated, but Redcatch Quarter is completely different. People working for the larger chains (TUI, Select clothing, Holland & Barrett, B&M) are expecting to be moved to different stores but will really miss their “Broadwalk family”. But smaller chains & independents are absolutely gutted and fearful for their future. They are expecting to lose their jobs, but are being given little information about when that will happen. We had particularly emotional conversations with the owners of Sangar Beauty and Snooker City. Both have tried to look for new premises but can’t find anything suitable, so they think their businesses will have to close permanently. They are heartbroken for their regular customers, and most of all for their loyal staff who are like family to them. 

Hearing these stories about the real-life impact of the development - and it’s disproportionate impact in independent businesses - has given KNPG yet another reason to fight the current plans for Redcatch Quarter and try to negotiate a better deal for Knowle.