Church Stretton: Independents draw locals and tourists

As the only town in Shropshire to be nestled in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty – Church Stretton is a pretty unique place.

Its shopping streets are brimming with independent businesses, and local shoppers mingle happily with the tourists who visit the market town and its surrounding countryside all year round.

There are also three high street banks and a Co-op supermarket, which is in the town centre, but tucked away from the main shopping thoroughfares.

The people who work and live there say that Church Stretton, Shropshire's Little Switzerland, has ridden the recession largely thanks to the support from its community.

Jane and Ed van Doesburg run gourmet food shop van Doesburg's in Church Stretton's High Street.

Mrs van Doesburg, who is a former chairman of the town's Chamber of Trade, said: "I think Stretton is a pretty special, unique town.

"It is the only town in an AONB in Shropshire. That is quite a significant thing and we are very lucky that because of the location we get quite a lot of tourism.

"We get a lot of walkers, cyclists and people gliding.

"You get people all year round whereas if you in were a seaside town you don't.

"The tourism side of things is very good and that seems to be on the increase. And the weather has made a huge difference this summer."

Mr and Mr van Doesburg previously owned The Studio restaurant in the town before launching the deli in a former butchers shop in 2002.

Mrs van Doesburg said that Church Stretton had plenty of good individual independent shops which were well used.

"We are, as a town, very well supported by our local community and there is a good sense of community in the town," she said.

Like most market towns, Church Stretton is served by a well supported outdoor market, held every Thursday.

"We also have three high street banks still and that is a big plus because we get custom from other villages. That brings people in."

Mrs van Doesburg added: "I think the recession has affected everybody but because of the size of the place and being a rural place, you don't have the massive unemployment you would have in the city.

"Everybody was affected and everyone is having to be careful, but as a community here we have perhaps ridden the recession better than a lot.

"We have got only one empty shop at the moment which is pretty good going really."

She added: "The working mechanics of town are quite good.

"There is always room for improvement but I think it is a very viable town and it is nice that people continue to support their market town and not get lured to the retail parks.

"I do think the future is bright for Stretton."

Allen Timbrell and his partner Kate Mayes run Plush Hill Cycles in The Square.

They said they spotted the empty shop and it was the catalyst for them both getting out of the rat race.

Mr Timbrell said: "We thought there was an opportunity so we went for it. And Church Stretton is ideal for cycling."

He said they had "only known recession" as they had started the business three years ago, but that the recession had in turn, ironically, helped them.

"People are cycling to work now as well as for a healthy lifestyle and, also because we do repairs, as people are repairing and making do."

He said that cycling was holding its own because people who buy cycles prefer to go into shops and use the shops where they get advice and support.

Mr Timbrell said there was a real community feel to Church Stretton which is why they liked it so much.

"People who come into the town always comment on how friendly the people are here," added Miss Mayes.

John Vine, who runs newsagents Newsworld in Sandford Avenue, has lived in Church Stretton for 25 years, running his business there for seven.

He has also bought Sandford Hardware stores right across the road, which was previously an electrical store.

"When it closed he even took on some of its members of staff.

Mr Vine said." It is a friendly place and the people are hugely supportive of local independents."

He said he ran 23 paper rounds, and if a papergirl or boy couldn't make the shift – their parents would step in.

"Church Stretton is a wonderful place to bring children up and to shop."