Ashmore Parks Shops Progress

Many of you will know that Wednesfield North Labour Party through its Councillors have been camapaigning to improve Ashmore Park Shopping Parade for decades with some real success over the years.

Councillor Phil Bateman said " The road around the rear of the shops and the lighting, the two car parks, are some of the schemes that we have managed to gain, and the results have lifted the shops both in trading terms but also in the importance that they have at the heart of our community. We never see empty shops here anymore.

There is also such a wide range of trading taking place from Newspapers & Tobacconists, through to Green Grocery and Hot Food Take Aways. We also have a Library and Dentists and an Optician, besides the Butchers and
Chemist and even a Haberdashery. It is a vibrant and important part of Wednesfield North's infrastructure.

I and my colleague Councillor Dave Jones have been pushing very hard to improve the shops even further. Highlighting the need for a safe walking surface, I want to see the canopies replaced and made safe. At the moment one side of the shops has their canopy in a state of collapse. The fenced off area is of concern and it is not looking good for the shopper.

I have raised all these issues with City Council Landlord services.

I am keen to share their written response with you; Here it is... orrespondence from Landlord Services.

1. Water Ingress

After a long history of water ingress to the shops a schedule was carried out last year to address this problem. I understand that the water penetration from balconies has now ceased and shop tenants have indicated that there are no ongoing difficulties.

You reported a specific problem with the Dental Surgery and I understand that this is now the subject of an insurance claim. It appears that a tennis ball became lodged in the down pipe which passes through the surgery – however the ball has now been removed. The question of compensation is now a matter for our insurers.

2. Canopies

We have now secured sufficient resources to enable the existing concrete canopies to be removed and new canopies to be installed. This work is timetabled for 2005 and should be complete by December.

During this project we are also taking the opportunity to carry out External improvements to fascias and sofits and external woodwork. The work will enable us to carry out minor repairs to brickwork and guttering as well.

3. Paved Areas

We have carried out some resurficing of the pathways to the rear of the shops. I have asked the Asset Maintenance section to review the quality of work and ensure that this is appropriate.




In respect of the paved area to the front of the shops, I can confirm that sufficient resources now exist to enable complete re-paving to occur in 2005. Our proposals at this stage are to re-pave using block paviours and I have suggested to staff that we might explore the possibility of a design feature.

4. Garages

We have established that there is a demand for these and consequently repair and improvement work will be undertaken in 2005 via the Local Repair Team."

Councillor Bateman added " So you can see all the advocacy work that we have involved ourselves with is now paying off. I am pleased that we are now seeing a commitment being made to our shopping parade. I will keep you informed of developments via this web site."