Stratford upon Avon is famous for being Shakespeare’s hometown (Image: SWNS)
The past year has seen a worrying number of businesses close their doors, while Turkish barber shops appear to be thriving.
Five well-known restaurants have closed since last summer due to escalating costs and a shortage of workers, particularly those from overseas. Major chain stores have also left the renowned Warwickshire town, leaving behind rows of boarded-up shops.
Over the past year, the Body Shop, Fraser Hart, Jack Wills, Joules, and Karl Stallard furniture store in town have closed.
Restaurants including Caffe Vineria, Edward Moon, Sorrento, Bella Italia, Veeno and Café Rouge have also shut down in the last six months.
Visitor numbers, which peaked at around 2.7 million pre-, have struggled to bounce back, exacerbating the difficulties faced by business owners. Restaurateurs cite soaring costs and a lack of foreign workers as reasons for their inability to continue trading.
Caffe Vineria on Wood Street closed down (Image: SWNS)
Massimo Bertoli, who was forced to close his Caffe Vineria restaurant after nearly a decade, said: “There’s a combination of reasons.
“The expense of everything, particularly as we’re going to have bigger rates in April – after the 75 per cent business rates reduction ends this year.
“Finding staff is also an issue. Hospitality workers used to be all from abroad – Poland and Italy – and a lot of them went back after .”
Local businesses are struggling (Image: SWNS)
Former town mayor Kevin Taylor also voiced his frustration at the town’s struggles.
“Stratford should be thriving, yet our restaurants and cafés are struggling,” he told local newspaper The Stratford Herald.
“We have a world-famous brand – Shakespeare – history, stunning scenery, and millions of visitors.
“So why aren’t we seeing greater footfall, more support for businesses, and a real plan for growth?”
Locals also say they have noticed a visible deterioration in the famous town.
Catherine Berry (Image: SWNS)
Registrar Catherine Berry, 62, moved to the town with her husband Rob, 66, three years ago.
Lamenting the closure of her favourite restaurant Edward Moon, she said she noticed a decline in the town.
“It’s a bit sparse to find places to eat now which must impact on tourism.
“All towns in the country are struggling but I’ve really noticed Stratford going down hill.”
Simon Platt from Preston (Image: SWNS)
Simon Platt, 59, and his wife Maria, 58, travelled from their home in Preston, Lancs., for a mini-break to watch Hamlet at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre.
“I always thought of Stratford as a well-to-do area until we got here.
“We were quite shocked at the state of the town and the lack of decent eateries and permanently closed businesses.
“Restaurants closed quite early too. There were a few busy for theatre goers but then after that they were quiet.
“It’s been quite expensive too. We paid £62 each for tickets to watch Hamlet but it was all set on Titanic which was just weird.
“It didn’t do it for me if I’m honest. There were a few empty seats I saw around the theatre.”
Christopher Clements (Image: SWNS)
Christopher Clements, 56, and his wife Tracy-Ann, 53, who live in a narrowboat, have found themselves stranded in the town for three weeks due to essential repairs on downstream locks.
Christopher, a retired Army veteran, said: “I have to say we have tried a few restaurants and takeaways and we’ve been really disappointed.
“A curry we had one night was probably the worst I have ever had.
“It’s a shame because now we just go and buy dinner from the supermarket and cook it on the boat instead of spending money in the town.”
Turkish barber shops seem to be thriving (Image: SWNS)
Despite the closure of many businesses, Christopher observed an increase in Turkish barber shops: “I walked past two Turkish barbers but no one was in them. I think this is an issue in towns up and down the country.”
He expressed concern over the town’s decline: “It’s sad to see Stratford declining. It’s got such a lot to offer with the link to Shakespeare but it’s a bit of an eyesore at the moment.”
Building on Sheep Street, where BHS used to be and has been abandoned ever since. (Image: SWNS)
Local resident Janet Howell, 45, who has lived in the town for over two decades said: “Towns up and down the country are struggling and Stratford is no different but when you have a town with such an important heritage such as ours it is even more upsetting.”
She highlighted the wider implications of business closures: “When shops and restaurants close that means jobs are lost for local people, usually young people and that is the real tragedy.
“If we lose our young workforce then the town will die.”
Big name stores are leaving the town (Image: SWNS)
The Business Improvement District (BID) is tasked with bolstering the town’s economic growth. BID Manager Aaron Corsi revealed he’s set to meet with business leaders this month to tackle the issue.
He said: “There are so many factors that are currently affecting businesses, both good and bad – and ones that are very difficult to change, like the crisis.
“Every business has its niche market and customer base and each factor affects different businesses in different ways.
“It’s a shame to see independent businesses hang up their aprons and there can be many reasons for that.
“I would like to celebrate the businesses and the work they have done in supporting the town and its customers over the years.
“They make Stratford what it is, a melting pot of different businesses, all providing something different to different people.”
A former Poundland, now for sale (Image: SWNS)
A spokesperson for Stratford-on-Avon District Council said: “Retailers are facing a tough time nationally and the issues Stratford-upon-Avon town is facing reflect wider economic factors such as business rates and increases to national insurance, both of which are the responsibility of the Government and not the District Council.
“We are working hard locally to address churn on the high street and have a high street vacancy project underway to see what interventions the District Council can make.
“We have also already allocated some budget monies to improve the appearance of empty shops and have recently installed new footfall counters to help us measure and analyse visitor numbers to inform any actions we may take.”