This is a critical time for the health of Keyworth as a community able to sustain its own shopping and business activities.
The following have announced closure:
Post Office in the Budgens store (in January 2008)
HSBC bank in Main Street (on 16 November)
Keyworth Electrical in The Square
It is reported that the White House cafe in Main Street is looking for a buyer.
Rumours persist about the imminent closure of two more shops.
The shop formerly occupied by Keyworth Countrywear in The Square has been empty for two years.
Much has been made of the difficulties with parking in the centre of Keyworth for the two years while the Health Centre was under construction and there was no main central car park. However, it was always possible to park within two minutes' walk of the shops, and the car park in Bunny Lane is now in use again.
A petition against the Post Office closure is being gathered. A residents' survey showed strong support for keeping HSBC, and talks are under way with representatives of the bank.
The only bright note in all of this is that all 12 shops in the Parade are operational and apparently successful, maybe due in part to the "magnet" effect of Budgens.
Why can't we keep our shops going? Is it because it's easy to reach Nottingham city centre (by bus) and Asda and Morrisons (by car) ? Please mail me if you have anything to contribute to this debate. I will publish the best of the responses.
