Tside » Highstreet not Byestreet

Highstreet not Byestreet

By Araminta Hartley Added 05.51pm, 15-March-10

A sale sign for another shop in administration

The phrase recession constantly haunted our minds during the year of 2009.

A barrage of empty shop units were found on the once lively high street, yet the highly popular Captain Cook Square surprised me as before Christmas, two remaining shop units including the abandoned Select store which had been closed for years were given a new lease of life.

But sadly the recession loser Woolworths was no longer accessible via the store in Middlesbrough, reduced to an online market.

However no sooner was Woolworths gone another store took over.

Despite the demise of a well-loved brand I felt relieved that the daunting empty space was going to be filled with shoppers once again.

With the introduction of Waremart it felt like it barely made its mark in the shopping centre as signs announced huge reductions and 75% off after less than a year.

Only a 0.1% increase in economic growth saved us from the recession, so no matter how pleased some people may feel after emerging from the slump there is not much to celebrate.

So take off your party hat and put on your thinking cap as you’ll need to understand how to survive the aftermath of what was named the worst recession since the 1930s.

Walking through The Mall I smile as I see what was the last remains of an MK One store transformed into a cutting edge fashion retailer for the younger generation. The brightness and glossy look of BANK boldly stands out, almost screaming I’m loud, proud and here to stay.

It seems things are moving forward for Middlesbrough, but as I humbly stroll through the shopping centre I am greeted by a notice on the Adam’s kids’ store. There in block letters ADMINISTRATION. I cried with horror as the greedy recession monster gobbled up another well-loved brand.

Alan Weston, Middlesbrough town centre manager, said the town had fared far better during the recession than many people expected.

“One example is Captain Cook Square is 100% occupied. There has also been a programme of town centre events such as those in the run-up to Christmas.”

Despite his proud nature no shop seems to secure its legacy for long.

With Christmas long gone and the chilly January out of the way the cash crisis and double dips into administration has continued to spell the end for some of our stores.

Although Britain has officially emerged from the recession it doesn’t feel that way on the high street.

Fearing the dreaded sign plastered all over the doors, with that terrifying phrase ‘Administration’, I recently noticed in bold letters signs screaming Sale, and boasting about selling stock cheaply.

A funny feeling in my stomach started to pull my insides in as I weakly made my way into Captain Cook Square.

Despite opening only recently Ethel Austin is having a massive stock clearance, where “everything must go” – sadly another retail business that’s struggling to survive the economic climate.