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Liking these, Hat-tip GeoDave. You can make your own here.

Liking these, Hat-tip GeoDave. You can make your own here.

Liking these, Hat-tip GeoDave. This website provides you with the facility to make simple talking heads, how about introducing your learning objectives through a character. You can also download your talking heads in WMV (Windows Media Format), which can be incorporated into PowerPoint or Windows Movie Maker. You can make your own here.

Ilkeston is in competition from many local shopping areas such as Nottingham and perhaps even the slum known as Derby , out-of-town centres such as Meadowhall are also attractive to consumers but why?

What problems does Ilson High Street face?

You suggested

The lack of uncover shopping, with the exception of the Albion Centre, where the cover has openings! Not good for all year around shopping.

Lack of accessibility, you suggested for the less mobile the steep incline of Upper Bath Street is difficult to navigate. You also suggested that accessing the High Street via car is difficult. One, due to congestion, the second due to available parking. You also worried about the security of the parking and the charging.

The range of shops available, despite the fact that Ilson has, for a small town, quite a variety of multiple outlets. You also commented on the opening hours, which were limited for people who work shifts.

Crime and safety, low order crimes such as vandalism, make the environment unattractive, whilst perception of crime, makes people feel unsafe whilst shopping.

Environment, some of you suggested that the frontages of buildings looked a little tired, whilst the lack of pedestrianisation on Lower Bath Street didn’t make it a pleasant area to shop. Some of you also mentioned litter.

What does out-of-town shopping offer?

Meadowhall in Sheffield is a classic example of an out-of-town shopping centre. What does it offer?

Access, great accessibility.

12,000 car-parking spaces, train and tram access, 120 buses per hour, 300 coach spaces.

Environment.

Undercover, temperature controlled, pleasant lighting, whilst street furniture, art work and vegetation all enhance the environment. Due to its enclosed nature, it is also safer, security guards patrol and there is CCTV.

The environment is also good for less mobile visitors, with lifts and ramps, and specialist toilet facilities. Mothers are catered for with baby changing facilities, a creche and play area.

Shopping.

223 different shops and longer opening hours.

Leisure.

One thing I didn’t convince you of is that shopping is now a leisure pursuit, retailers are keen to tap into this. Meadowhall offers a leisure shopping experience, it has the largest food court in Europe, a cinema with 11 screens and holds special events to attract in visitor who may also shop.

The question you need to ask yourself is how does Ilson compete? The answer, develop the High Street to model the features of out-of-town shopping.

Ilkeston has been successfully, believe it or not, in maintaining its customer base, others have not, and in some areas this has had serious consequences for the High Street.

So, what makes a good out-of-town shopping site? Coming next…

Some ideas to consider and reflect on from today. Generally….

People tend to do their ‘main’ shop at one major multiple.

1. Multiples such as Tesco have a number of departments, such as Butchers, Greengrocers, etc under one roof.
2. This is more convenient and reduces time shopping.
3. They also have a wider range of products, because of the size of the stores, they have more display space.
4. They can also sell products at cheaper prices, they can buy in bulk and have larger warehouse facilities for storage.
5. They also have longer opening hours which may fit in with shift work.
6. They are also more accessible than the traditional high street, due to free car-parking and close locations next to major roads.
7. Many multiples have customer cards, that offer discounts for loyalty.

People tend to be shopping less frequently.

1. People tend to buy in bulk for their ‘main shop’, meaning they have to shop less.
2. People can buy in bulk, because they have cars, shopping can be transported home with ease.
3. People can also buy in bulk, because they have storage facilities, such as fridge and freezers.
4. It is economical to buy in bulk, major multiples tend to attract shoppers by offering discounts on multiple purchases, such as BOGOF.
5. Increasingly people are paid monthly, therefore they may choose to do one ‘main shop’ each month.

People are travelling further for their shopping.

1. People have cars!
2. People are more willing to travel further for their shopping, it is economical to increase the distance travelled to reduce their purchase costs.
3. Many of the larger out-of-town supermarkets are located next to major roads, such as motorways. This reduces the friction of distance, they are more accessible.
4. Out-of-town supermarkets also offer free parking, which encourages people to use their cars.

Now one to consider, which came first, the car or the out-of-town supermarket?

Next… the attraction of out-of-town….

Alan who runs the KES Pilot Blog, needs some help from KHCTC Geographers, he is part of a group that considers the direction and content of the Pilot course, the group will be meeting the awarding bodies, the people who decide the structure and content of the upcoming new GCSEs in Geography.

He wants to know

‘What you would say to an awarding body’s specification development team?’

This is your chance to have an impact on what future Geographers might learn and the structure of the GCSE that they study.

Consider what you have done so far on the Pilot, its structure and the way you are taught, what have you enjoyed or been interested in? 

Also feel free to offer informed comments about how you would like Geography to develop at this level, what would you include in terms of content? How would you assess it?

If you wish to pass comments onto me at school, please do.

Deadline Thursday.