Face lift for Liverpool Road shops

Shops on Liverpool Road are being revitalised through a building front improvement scheme. 41 building fronts have already benefited from a face lift in Cadishead and Patricroft since the scheme began in 2008. Businesses that have had their shop fronts improved include florists, hairdressers, accountants, fast food take away shops and a photography studio. 63 local jobs have been safeguarded, seven units brought back into use and shop owners have reported increased trade.

Shop owners have reported an increase in trade and falling vacancy levels, a small wonder especially in the current economic climate.

By improving the building fronts and the local environment, the area is being slowly transformed. Many local shop owners have been inspired to make further investment themselves. Even shops not involved in the scheme, but located nearby have started to do up their shop fronts.

But this scheme is about more than individual shop owners. It is about Liverpool Road becoming a bustling local shopping area again. Work has concentrated on village centres, the grant covers just the front of the property and targeted the worst first. The idea is to improve the look and feel of the whole area, reduce the number of vacant buildings and attract shoppers back. Initially Cadishead and Patricroft were targeted for investment. Attention is now moving to Peel Green and Lower Irlam. And this seems to be working!

The building owners contribute to the grant scheme. The scheme is part of a wider regeneration programme aimed at revitalising the town centres and linear corridors in Salford.

The scheme has seen a number of prominent buildings renovated. The Rainbow Rooms Community Centre has been smartened up with a fresh coat of paint, a new sign and a new entrance. Eccles Fish Bar, Sue's Florist and Dolphin Mobility (a locally listed building) have also been had their frontages improved.

In April 2012, Councillor David Lancaster launched a 'sticker scheme' to highlight 60 buildings that have been renovated along Liverpool Road and Eccles town centre. The stickers are displayed on the windows of businesses that have taken part in the Building Front Improvement scheme.

"We've had a great response from traders and shoppers alike. By improving shop and building fronts, coupled with investment in the local environment we are changing the look and feel of the whole area. This is a considerable achievement especially in these difficult economic times. All these changes are really starting to reshape and revitalise the area, which is great news for the local economy."
Councillor Lancaster, Deputy Mayor, Salford City Council

More information about the design guidelines for the building front improvement scheme is available.

In addition, the council is monitoring the condition of buildings and sites along Liverpool Road, letting owners know when they have fallen below minimum requirements encouraging them to take remedial action. This has resulted in a total of 15 properties and sites improved so far and has added to the overall enhancement of the corridor.

Further properties on Liverpool Road are in the pipeline to be improved over the next twelve months in Peel Green and Lower Irlam.

Makeover for shops

This isn't just about bricks and mortar. It's about businesses and communities. The Liverpool Road shops with new fronts have also benefited from the ‘Shop Doctor' who provided valuable advice, ideas and tips to improve their marketing and trading.

11 businesses so far have received advice on a range of topics from marketing and product display, to merchandising and customer services. As a result, M44, a print and design company in Cadishead is coordinating a new breakfast network where member businesses meet up monthly. Chill Zone and CY Shelley Photography have increased their local advertising. Dolphin Mobility, a stairlift provider, is relaunching the business following the new shop front and an interior redesign. Other businesses are thinking of rebranding their business to attract more and new customers thus expanding their business base. Look out for new window displays in some of the shops.

We hope that the local businesses will continue to reap the benefits of the 'Shop Doctor' experience for some time to come.

Further information is available on the support available to businesses in Salford.

This page was last updated on 15 May 2012