Pizza Express for Christchurch

A finely balanced argument was how the Chairman of Christchurch Council planning control described the officers presentation at the last planning meeting about the application to upgrade the rather run down sixties building that runs along Wick Lane and the arcade and currently houses Cricklewoods into a Pizza Express outlet. The problem appeared to be established policies determining just how many food outlets compared with retail should grace our town centre. The problem is of course we live in changing times and those policies may have been sensible in 2000 when the economic situation was slightly different from what it is now. Whilst officers recommended refusal a lively and determined debate reflected a changing attitude by members that opportunities like this application should be looked at very carefully if we are to maintain or indeed improve the vitality of our town centre. That the members approved the scheme by a unanimous vote is significant because of the signal this sends out to other businesses that CBC are a welcoming Council willing to take what might appear uncomfortable decisions for the benefit of the town. It did not go unnoticed that the local chamber of trade was supportive nor was it lost on members that there are bound to be benefits derived from the highly successful food festival. We are after all getting quite a reputation for being a foodie town, hence the interest we are seeing from food outlets big and small. Shortly the question will be asked about a new hotel in Saxon Square, it will be interesting to see whether members will see this as a threat or an opportunity. Certainly research by Bournemouth University into the tourism industry is showing some interesting responses from samples taken from the many people who have the good sense to visit our town. It should not be lost on any of us that we will all benefit from investment by companies who see Christchurch as a good place to trade and as long as they appreciate the high standards we set for our communities and take ownership of those standards in partnership we will see our town centre prosper.