NEWQUAY SURVEY REVEALS MIXED PICTURE

10.48.43am GMT Thu 13th Dec 2007

A survey of over 300 businesses in Newquay town centre has revealed mixed attitudes to the future of the town. The survey was carried out by Newquay's Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate Stephen Gilbert and has shown that over two-thirds of traders feel that business in 2007 was down compared to the year before.

A majority of the traders (36%) were optimistic for Newquay's future and believed the town would be better in 2010 than it is today - although just over a quarter (27%) thought it could get worse.

Stephen Gilbert said: "Newquay has much to look forward to, particularly the World Lifesaving Championship in 2010, and it is great news that most businesses are optimistic for the future. That said, there are still serious concerns in the town, particularly on anti social behaviour, and they need to be looked at."

The survey, which was carried out by Newquay's Lib Dem team over September and October, showed that almost two thirds (63%) of the traders were either unhappy or very unhappy with the current state of the town.

38% highlighted anti-social behaviour as the main problem, while 25% pointed to litter, dirt and graffiti as key reasons for being unhappy.

Stephen Gilbert said: "The business people I've spoken to want Newquay to be aiming for the more affluent family visitor market. That group tends to have more to spend and goes back to places they like. But to be attractive to families we need to keep the town's streets clean of litter, graffiti and nuisance crime."

With anti-social behaviour a key concern of businesses in the town, it was disappointing that almost half (41%) of the traders surveyed felt that bad behaviour on Newquay streets had increased over 2007.

Over three quarters (77%) of businesses felt that there were not enough police in the town - only 23% thought that policing was at the right level.

Overall traders have welcomed the introduction of Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs), who support the police and add to the visible police presence in the town.

Stephen Gilbert said: "We do have to thank the police for the work they do under very difficult circumstance - at the moment we are seeing some impressive reductions in crime when compared with 2006. The fact is, though, that more effort needs to be put into tackling the low level nuisance behaviour like drunkenness and urinating in the streets that really annoys local residents and gives the town a bad name. As the Christmas party season approaches I hope the police will use the powers they already have to confront this sort of unacceptable behaviour."

"We've also got to recognise that Government does not give Cornwall a fair deal for policing - for every five police officers in other parts of the country there are only 4 in Cornwall."

Stephen added: "I will be doing this survey every year, and I hope to see an improvement in satisfaction with policing."

A massive 89% of those businesses questioned supported more affordable housing in Newquay, but were keen to stress that the housing provided should be for local people. The businessmen and women were also supportive of plans to expand Newquay as a town - with 78% backing expansion into the Newquay Growth Area.

Stephen Gilbert said: "Traders and residents in Newquay know that the town will need to grow if it is going to provide enough housing to meet local need. What concerns people is the explosion in executive holiday apartments and so-called surf-pods which are empty for most of the year and do nothing to help local people get a foot on the property ladder."

A massive 82% of local business complained that there is too little car parking for those working in, and visiting, Newquay - 89% thought that a Park & Ride scheme, currently being considered as one idea for European funding aid, may help with managing traffic in the town over the summer months.

Stephen Gilbert said: "Anyone who lives in or visits Newquay will know that parking is always a problem. A Park & Ride scheme may be a solution, particularly in the summer months."

Continued investment in Newquay airport, which recently announced it would be flying to a record of 20 destinations in 2008, was welcomed by over 95% of the businesses questioned.

Stephen Gilbert said: "Newquay airport is a vital link not just for Newquay but for the whole of Cornwall. It brings in tourists but also plays a key role in helping local businesses get their products and services out to markets across the UK and beyond."

Over 80% of Newquay traders were also supportive of the idea to help regenerate Newquay harbour with the aim of opening it to visiting cruise liners.

Stephen Gilbert said: "This is an idea that could deliver real benefits to Newquay, helping to regenerate the town and bring in top-end tourists. Getting there will be a long process that will need all politicians in the town to work together, but it is achievable and, I think, would be a real boos to the local economy."