USE OF LOCAL SHOPS AND SERVICES

The survey asked about how often people used a selection of local shops and services.

45% of respondents used local shops on a weekly basis, and just over 1 in 5 used them daily.  Less than one per cent said they never used the local shops.

38% and 24% used the Post Office and chemists respectively on a weekly basis.

Pubs were used weekly by 2% and monthly by 10%.  40% said that they visited local pubs less frequently.

Coffee shops were used weekly by 4% and monthly by 8%.

Several respondents added comments about the recent closure of the banks, and asked for a cash machine. In addition to High St shops, some people mentioned regular use of King Edward Hall and the WI.

Various pleas for more shops and services were added, specifically: a restaurant; electrician; hardware shop; fresh fish shop; and a photocopying service. One noted “vegetarians are very poorly catered for in the village”.

Few people had difficulty in using shops - two had to use taxis, three relied on others to shop for them, one noted “I use food shops weekly - and would go more often if public transport available” (respondent from the Welkin).

Few people had difficulty in getting to health services.  The most frequent difficulties were getting to hospital (4%)  a dentist (3%) or a doctor (2%).  However, 14% had occasional difficulty getting to hospital, 10% had occasional difficulty getting to the dentist, and 7% occasional difficulty in getting to the doctor.

Few people had difficulty in using available leisure facilities.  Two mentioned the need for an induction loop in KEH.  One found the Dolphin opening times inconvenient, another mentioned expensive parking there.  Two did not go out in the evening, citing lack of streetlights and lack of buses. 

Playgrounds

795 people answered the question on facilities in the children’s playground, as follows:                                                                                     

There were twelve comments added asking for improvements, particularly to the Hickman’s Lane playground.