Trader's plea to save 'forgotten' Anlaby Road
A TRADER is pleading for help to turn around the fortunes of Hull's "forgotten" street.
Hairdresser Kirsten Ellis, who runs her salon in Anlaby Road, believes more should be done to encourage businesses to set up in the once-popular shopping area.
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Help: Hairdresser Kirsten Ellis, of Visualize in Anlaby Road, Hull, wants more investment in the area. Picture: Jack Harland
In just the past few weeks, a gift shop and a café in Anlaby Road have closed.
Ms Ellis said: "I have been here 19 years and it was one of the main shopping areas back then.
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"But now, shop after shop is closing down. We used to have all sorts, such as florists and fruit shops but now there is just me and a chemist.
"This is a main road and it's such a shame."
Ms Ellis feels more should be done to encourage businesses and shoppers to return to the area.
She said: "There seems to be investment in other areas, such as Hessle Road, but nothing here.
"When I arrived at the salon one day last week, it amazed me just how poor and rundown Anlaby Road has now become.
"We have no passing trade of any sort whatsoever. There is no reason for people to walk down in that area.
"Anlaby Road as a whole seems to have been forgotten altogether.
"I know, with the current financial state of the country, people are not wanting to start up new businesses. However, that really doesn't help us who are trying to survive out there.
"We are struggling to attract new customers and I rely on word of mouth and the fact I have been here so long."
Ms Ellis is urging the council to help the few remaining traders left. She said: "The council could maybe try to tidy up the area so it looks more appealing.
"As a main road leading into the city, I think the council could take a look at this.
"If I was coming into Hull on this route, I would probably take a U-turn and drive right back out.
"All other areas and main roads seem to have plenty of shops trading and surviving, surely the council could help in some way to help bring this one back to life again."
Ms Ellis would also like to see rates lowered to help people open up new businesses.
Properties are assessed for business rates with a rateable value set by the Valuation Office Agency, an executive agency of the Inland Revenue.
Hull City Council insists a lot of work has already been carried out to improve the state of Anlaby Road and make it more attractive for both shoppers and businesses.
A spokesman said: "Anlaby Road between the flyover and Boothferry Road has had significant investment through the Gateway programme.
"The work carried out was commended by the Civic Society in 2011 as 'making it a more attractive proposition for private investors and local businesses'.
"There is a special number 300301 where start-up businesses can get advice and where established businesses can speak to people about accessing council services."
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Comments
by Mrs_Holiday
Saturday, October 20 2012, 10:49PM
“well i am a customer of this shop, although i have never seen the woman in this photo, the girls in the shop have always done a great job of my hair and are really friendly as well. I will say the shop isn't all that and could definitely do with a referb.... maybe finish of the painting and the outside sprucing up but personally i'm more interested in getting a decent hair cut and some friendly service, which i'm always happy with.”
by Mrs_Holiday
Saturday, October 20 2012, 10:46PM
“well i am a customer of this shop, although i have never seen the woman in this photo, the girls in the shop have always done a great job of my hair and are really friendly as well. I will say the shop isn't all that and could definitely do with a referb.... maybe finish of the painting and the outside sprucing up but personally i'm more interested in getting a decent hair cut and some friendly service, which i'm always happy with.”
by cazmarelda
Friday, October 12 2012, 1:03PM
“I remember when Anlaby Road had Garness electrical shop, a newsagents on the same block, Jacksons supermarket, Clarksons shoe shop, Regal Pharmacy, Golden Touch bingo, a lovely sweet shop (may be another one there now but not sure), Fletchers ,Mcleish, Skeltons (which had a little counter and stools at the back for 'eating in', 2 very good butchers, Newington selling centre, Morgan and Stanley car sales, a cooperative supermarket (near De-la-pole avenue) and Pats fruit and veg (near De-la-pole avenue) and I am sure there were more I don't remember - all now gone. Last time I drove through it looked appalling - and I am so glad I no longer live there, when I did though the shops were great and I could get most things I needed. Speaking of Fletchers, I could just eat one of their pork pies - I remember I use to queue at Christmas to get the pork pie and cooked meats. Couplands and Greggs are terrible in comparison to what they replaced and do not serve the good old cooked meats. Ah! well.”
by superdredge
Friday, October 12 2012, 11:33AM
“I agree with a past comment most of Anlaby Rd should have been flattened years ago what a disgace its become even the the road has self made speed humps and all the homes with the new fronts dont make it look any better i hate to say this but Hul is going downhill very very fast.”
by Lollipop
Friday, October 12 2012, 11:20AM
“Btw the pavements loook great, all smart and new unlike the hairdresser (tatty jeans) and the univiting window display/shop front......Kettle Pot Black ?
How can you blame the council for not investing when it looks like you haven't given much thought to how you and your shop look?”
by Lollipop
Friday, October 12 2012, 11:11AM
“If I walked into a hairdressers and saw this woman I'd do a u-turn too!”
by qualitychap
Thursday, October 11 2012, 9:51PM
“its not only anlaby rd have a look at Beverley rd run down and decaying,the council turned down planning permission for the old Carlton bingo near silver cod a few years ago,they are opposed to the redevelopment of Walton st by the allams,they upgraded west park with nice paths but put rusty street furniture in,why does anlaby rd flyover look like something from a war zone,with those horrible concrete bollards ?.
Beverley rd old picture house still the same,the day it was bombed,old new york hotel on anlaby rd,Edwin Davis building near Albion street ect.
its been mainly a labour council and labour mp,s for 50 years,I'm afraid people of hull,if your happy to live in a mainly rundown city,keep voting for these dinosaurs.
the problem is private investors just are not interested in working with our clueless council,because everything takes so long to change.
this city should be a thriving modern European port,its got massive potential,but still looks like a rundown failure.”
by Demonica666
Thursday, October 11 2012, 9:40PM
“Have just visited many websites advertising retail property for rent on Anlaby Road. Not one is under £6,000pa or £500 per month! Who, in these times of recession, has (as a minimum) an extra £6,000pa to stake on a business that in all likelihood, will fail within the first year? This is the problem. People simply cannot afford to start a business. Is it any wonder that multi-national chain stores are the only businesses able to survive, when prospective independent shop-keepers are unable to even afford rental?”
by Visualise Hairdressers
Thursday, October 11 2012, 8:03PM
“There are businesses out there which have been trading for a number of years... they are trying to make a honest living. The council really need to look at this area and help these local businesses!!! Everyone should support these not be against them.”
by dontwo
Thursday, October 11 2012, 7:13PM
“Amazed Anlaby Road isnt full of foreign shops and supermarkets like the other places which have a high immigrant population, but then again Anlaby Road is just a main artery into and out of Hull City centre. Always chock a block with traffic and hard to park.Even years ago, It never was a main "shopping" road when compared to Hessle Road really was it.”