Chris sign of the times Ashton town centre is like any other town struggling with empty shops/charity shops.Most people can get all of their goods in any major supermarket or delivered on line so will not bother with town centres,gone are the days when HOUSEWIVES did a daily shop.People with cars can go anywhere to shop and also because of the poor and very expensive bus services again people will give a town centre a miss and go to a shopping centre.Again nearly every other shop in Ashton is a pie shop/cafe,Next to no clothes/electricial shops etc,yes we have b&m aldi quality save but we also have the most expensive supermarket the cooperative store.Also most people who live in and around Ashton commute to work outside of Ashton and call at out of town retailers on their way home thus putting another nail inthe coffin of Ashton town centre

Town: bryn

I am a housewife who still does a daily shop in Ashton Town Centre.
I manage to source 99% of my family's food and toiletries in local shops in Ashton.
I do think that Ashton Market looks a bit sad - I go to Earlstown market on Friday and theirs is thriving. You can buy M&S pies and cakes there

Karin you must be lucky being a housewife who can shop everyday in Ashton but has have said most people commute out of town and do a weekly shop out of town.If I was to do a daily shop in Ashton without a car then even if I walked into town then caught a bus home with heavy shopping I would have to add £15-£20per week onto my bill for bus fares plus the time element plus the difference in price from the multiples against the local shops.Again this is why people with little time shop online and have goods delivered so no reason to go into town,one vicious circle and the death of the town centre.Tesco are trying to kill town centres off by opening shops on every street corner so to speak so not helping the town centre retailers.

Town: bryn

I agree in large to the reasons for it, I just feel that it has happened and it went without protest.

It's true to say that many town centers have died out, but I think that they largely expect us to use wigan town center for our shopping.

It the same reason places like orrell have become sprawling housing estates with no infrastructure or shops, but it doesn't have to be this way.

A good market brings people into a town, look at earlestown that is very similar in economic terms to ashton, yet every friday its heaving, so much so that Saturday market (which always was a car boot style) is now attracting regular traders.

Earlestown has a tesco, hallmark cards, greggs, superdrug, wilkinsons and morrisons as well as independent retailers.

Earlestown is far from perfect, but they haven't let their town heartbeat die. There is now plans for a further supermarket with petrol facilities, but the market will still remain as it is considered part of thar community.

What I meant with my initial post is that Ashton has forgotten what made it a thriving place and everyone suffers the consequences.

As you explain in your post you have to go out of ashton for your shopping due to poor transport parking and a lack of suitable shops. Imagine if you didn't have to do that.

I think ashton should protest. It is lucky to have some of the best schools in the area, as well as good leisure areas such as the parks and the swimming baths.

Why then should the people be deprived of a thriving center?

Town: ashton

I completely agree with you Chris, we should be asking our councilors to press for a revamp of the Market. If other towns can have farmers markets, continental markets etc. Why can't Ashton, which as always is the poor relation of Wigan.

Town: Ashton

There were plans drawn up for various improvements to the town centre... I don't know what happened to them though.

Town: Stubshaw Cross

Thanks Ian, that's some news that I was unaware of and Mary I think many people feel like you in the area, I think that initially a petition should be formed, it's easy to do and at least it would allow for further discussion.

I think the local mp, local Councillors should represent this view on a larger scale.

Town: ashton

There were a lot of plans in the last few years for the regeneration of Ashton town centre including the market. Some good, some questionable. One point that I didnt like the sound of was that Ashton needs "more high profile" shops such as Tesco, Boots etc. To me this always undermines the local family run outlets that we have. There should be a balance between a good economy and a place for people who live here to have opportunities. I would hate to see Ashton dominated by big business. Sad to see Boardmans closing after being there for ages. Ashton is a good place, with some really nice people.

Town: The Ancient Kingdom of Stubshaw Cross

You hit the nail on the head when you mentioned councillors and M.P. When have they fought for anything in Ashton and i include the Warriungton M.P. yes Warrington she's not from ashton and to date i havnt seen anything posative she has done for Ashton Bragging about the new health centre is top i would have loved to see the repliese to the survay they keep bragging about i have not spoken to one person in favour due to car parking problems yet they are bragging what theve done. No proper oposition against them so they are settled at doing nothing that fails to meet the headlines.

Town: Ashton

Chris - I agree with some of your comments. Earlestown has become a thriving town because it's people have embraced change. Ashtonians, from what I can tell, don't seem to like or want change. As a result things stay the same and innvitably get steadily worse. A big problem with Ashton town centre I believe is that Gerard St. is a major road route. I would like to see Gerard St. closed to traffic and the area made into a pedestrian zone, this would give Ashtonians a chance to have a 'town centre' space which they can take some pride in. I would also like to see the waste ground behing the public toilets on Princess Road redeveloped in some way (possible supermarket but it's probably not big enough), this would pull people and shoppers into the area and I believe this would help (not hinder) the more specialised local shops. I'd be interested to hear what other suggestions people might have.

Town: Ashton

Nice idea that about Gerard St. I think it would be good as others do. The problems start with trying to get the traffic around Ashton town centre.

A few ideas have been put forward but none suit everybody.
Any ideas?

Town: Stubshaw Cross

Ashton has to butchers shops, who uses them in preference to supermarkets? Aston has a carpet shop who uses it in preference to one of the multiples? Ashton has a green grocers, the same applies. Perhaps people can add more, but not many.
It is no use moaning about the decline of our town centres when we don't use them and cash registers say we don't.
Also when national government said No should be the answer to out of town shopping centres Wigan council allowed Robin Park and the Sainsbury devlopment.
Seven day opening is not really suitable for the small shop keeper yet another example of how central government help to destroy the small shop.
I am sorry there is little apart from what Glen suggest about traffic that can help and we all know the attitude of, "the movers and shakers" on any viable solution. (yes!! Alan is being Alan, I was a voice in the wilderness)
As I have said before we have to "grasp the nettle" of the traffic problem before Ashton is just pubs, pound shops and take aways.

Town: Br/Ash

Ashton and other town centres are like they are because of the way people voted, not at the ballot box but with ignition key and wallet.

There were loads of small shop keepers warning what would happen thirty and forty years ago, but the same type of people who now moan its passing brought it about.

You can let the Genie out of the bottle but it is well nigh impossible to put it back.

Town: Br/Ash