Worried locals fear Shakespeare’s hometown is in “terminal decline” after an alarming number of businesses closed – meanwhile Turkish barber shops are booming.
Since last summer five popular restaurants suddenly shut due to spiralling costs and a lack of workers – particularly from abroad. Big name chain stores also pulled out of the famous Warwickshire town, leaving boarded up shops in their place.
In the past 12 months, the Body Shop, Fraser Hart, Jack Willis, Joules, and Karl Stallard furniture store all closed in the town. Restaurants including Caffe Vineria, Edward Moon, Sorrento, Bella Italia, Veeno and Café Rouge also followed suit in last six months.
Visitor numbers peaked at around 2.7 million before Covid but have struggled to recover, adding to the woes of business owners. Restauranteurs say rocketing costs and a lack of foreign workers have made it impossible to continue trading.
Italian-born Massimo Bertoli was forced to shut his Caffe Vineria restaurant he has run for almost 10 years. He 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 Brexit.” Former town mayor Kevin Taylor also expressed his exasperation at the town’s struggles.
Speaking to his local newspaper, The Stratford Herald, he said: “Stratford should be thriving, yet our restaurants and cafés are struggling. 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.
Registrar Catherine Berry, 62, moved to the town with her husband Rob, 66, three years ago. She said: “I have noticed a decline in the town with lots of restaurants and shops closing.
“Our favourite restaurant Edward Moon closed its doors suddenly without notice. It’s a real shame because it was a popular and lively place. 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, 59, and his wife Maria, 58, travelled from their home in Preston, Lancashire., for a mini-break to watch Hamlet at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre.
Simon, a chartered engineer, said: “We have never been to Stratford before but we just fancied a little break and to go to the 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, 56, and his wife Tracy-Ann, 53, live in a narrowboat and have been stranded in the town for three weeks due to locks down river needing repairs. 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.”
Despite many businesses closing, Christopher said he had noticed more Turkish barber shops opening up. He added: “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.
“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.” Local resident Janet Howell, 45, has lived in the town for more than 20 years.
She 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. 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 work force then the town will die.” Improving the town’s economic growth is one of the responsibilities of the Business Improvement District (BID).
Manager Aaron Corsi said he was meeting business leaders to discuss the issue this month. 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 cost of living 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 Stratford-on-Avon District Council spokesperson 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.”
