The owner of a small electronics business in Melton’s Bakery Square shopping strip has blamed a nearby mall for a dramatic decline in sales.
David Wayside, of Melton Electronics and Communications, fears he may be shut before Christmas because the 2014 renovation of Woodgrove shopping centre has drawn most customers away from small shops.
“We’ve had quite a few shops close, and there’s no foot traffic around the place any more,” he said. “I would say the new shopping centre has a lot to do with the situation.”
Mr Wayside has been running his shop for five years and says the past three years have seen the most dramatic decline in business.
“People are becoming more shopping centre- oriented, and naturally head to a shopping centre instead of a small business,” he said.
“Even though we have catalogues that are sent out every month, business has deteriorated quite dramatically, and needs a bit of a push.”
Mr Wayside says his electronics business is dedicated to personalised customer service, another casualty of changing buying habits.
And the Melton small businessman isn’t the only one feeling the pinch.
Steve, of Steve’s Paint Place, says his business has also been terribly affected.
“Since the renovations at Woodgrove took place, we don’t have any customers left,” he said.
“I’ll either be closing or moving the store, but I definitely won’t be staying in the area.”
By Neslim Djemal
