Please find below the guidance notes for the various surveys undertaken in this project. Please take the time to become familiar with these notes before you start.
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Customer care
Visitors to market towns expect to receive a better standard of customer care than in larger urban centres. This is probably due to expectations of a slower pace of life, deeper sense of community and greater presence of local independent shops rather than national operators. Whilst we recognise that this may be realistic, there needs to be acknowledgement that some national retailers have invested significantly in customer care, although people do not always see this when looking at the overall retail offer within a rural market town.
Download > Customer care guidance notes
Environment
The history and rural setting of market towns is identified as key contributive
factor to its distinctiveness as a shopping and visitor destination. The market
place, glimpses out to the countryside, alleyways and intimate spaces and fine
buildings are contrasts to some our larger urban centres.
Download > Environment guidance notes
Independent food and drink retail offer within a market town.
For visitors and local residents alike the choice of bars, cafes, public houses and restaurants can be a fundamental factor when deciding whether to visit a particular market town for shopping and/or leisure purposes.
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Independent food and drink guidance notes
Independent retail
The quality and range of independent shops is an important aspect of the overall retail offer within a market town. For visitors and local residents alike the variety of the independent retailers can be a fundamental factor when deciding whether to visit a particular market town for shopping purposes.
Download > Independent retail guidance notes
Markets
Markets can be fundamental to the quality of shopping and the overall visitor experience in market towns, as they are often part of the traditional scene, having traded for centuries and creating market days that bring in local residents and visitors from further afield.
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Markets guidance notes
Physical
The history and rural setting of market towns is identified as key contributive factor to its distinctiveness as a shopping and visitor destination. The market place, glimpses out to the countryside, alleyways and intimate spaces and fine buildings are contrasts to some our larger urban centres.
Download > Physical guidance notes
Vitality and viability
To create distinctive shopping experiences in market towns there is a recognition that we cannot solely depend on specialty niche shops but we need ensure there is a strong and diverse offer of shops and services that caters for all needs, which is provided within an attractive and accessible environment.
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Vitality and viability guidance notes