What seems to be a major talking point at the moment here in Stratford upon Avon is the sudden and surprising physical growth of up-market jewellers, Pragnell. Or as the Stratfordian likes to put it…Pragnell and the demise of shopping as we know it.
From a single (ish) unit (complete with comedy bouncers/security), in Wood Street, Pragnell has over the past year or two snaked its way around the corner into High Street eating properties as it goes and basically changing the face of the town centre as we know it. A sudden growth that has come as a shock to many residents for a number of reasons.
First of all, the demise of shops that Stratfordians had become familiar with. For instance, Wilfred’s the sweet shop was particularly quirky and a family business, a shop some might say that added to the ‘Stratford feel’. Gone.
Secondly. The element of surprise. I don’t think people realised that the properties and shops Pragnell took over, actually existed on Pragnell’s own estate. Pragnell were the actual landlords. The shops that they took over had come to the end of their lease and Pragnell as landlords had the legal right to do…well…whatever.
There is of course another reason as to why Pragnell has turned out the villain of the piece and that is to do with the thought some have on Pragnell marketplace and particular speciality, high-end jewellery and watches.
Perhaps it is understandable that some local people consider this a slap in the face.
Maybe too much for the ordinary, struggling Stratfordian who loves his/her town and finds the presence of Pragnell incongruous, especially when it includes the ‘taking over’ of the centre of town. Bordering on an insult it reminds people that we are not ‘in this together’. Especially for the Stratfordian who is more likely to visit Stratford’s well-used foodbank than ever darken Pragnell’s doorway to buy a Rolex.
As the times have changed so too the plot has thickened…
We are continually told that the nature of shopping and therefore the face of our High Streets, precincts and shopping malls has changed. I wonder, could that change be part of a wider plan.
The Stratfordian wonders if we have, over the years been manipulated and thereby ‘encouraged’ to let our idea of a traditional shopping centre/High Street go.
The Stratfordian remembers how it all started with the sudden movement of retail out of the centre of town all at the behest and encouragement of local businessman, Tony Bird.
Looking back, it feels like we were corralled and shifted about like a herd of cattle, ‘encouraged’ to follow the retail trade to the outskirts of Stratford upon Avon. Which begs the question, what was the plan for the spaces that these shops left behind?
Promised at the outset that out-of-town-shopping was more convenient, we discovered shopping actually based around supermarkets and the like. The big names. Everything under one roof. Under protest we moved.
Time has passed and for various reasons these out-of-town shopping areas are disintegrating. Run-down areas where big name shops come and go when profits drop. What we have are shopping centres bereft of personality. Bland concrete monstrosities, where the individual his/her shop is totally non-existent. (Napoleon was wrong?).
Falling for the promise of convenient shopping, we deserted the High Street in our droves and like sheep headed out-of-town. We abdicated any right we had to have a say in what shops we want to spend our money and left the wealthy and powerful landlords to do what they will over time, with the rich estate we had abandoned. A land grab, a gold rush by any other name.
Pragnell is just the beginning.
The basics will continue to disappear from the town centre. Food and the essentials for basic living will continue to be for sale of course but will be found out-of-town and on market stalls.
The centre of our town will become unfamiliar to the ordinary resident and as is happening now before our very eyes, cater more for the wealthy visitor who will find everything they need in the luxury goods market.
The town centre is lost.
