Gibraltar needs more variety of shops

Scores of people took to social media to voice their displeasure of Gibraltar’s high street, with most people demanding more moderately priced clothes shops

The public condemned what they described as 90% tourist-led commercial activity Main Street and ‘astronomical rents’ that hinder small business activity in the area.

“With lower rents more small businesses would be able to start up and survive, and it is these smaller businesses that could satisfy the demand for more variety in the retail sector,” one post read. “At present the barriers to enter the Gibraltar retail sector are pretty steep.”

The criticism was bent towards the all too prevalent theme of jewellery, tobacco, wine and spirits, chemists, hairdressers, law firms and electronic stores that ‘monopolise’ Main Street.

“We need more variety of shops. Too much of the same in Main Street catering more for tourists than for locals. Too many cigarettes, booze, jewellery and electronics stuff,” read another post that received 17 likes. “We need more clothes shops and more home shops. Not ridiculously priced ones like ‘Debenhams Home’ either. Shops like B&Q, Target, IKEA, Primark and maybe even a Poundland.”

However, when one individual mentioned put forward their idea of a large Primark store opening on Main Street, the quality of the clothes from said outlet were put into question.

“Having been once to Primark in Algeciras I don’t agree,” said the opponent to the idea. “The clothes were very poor quality. Wear them once and then throw them away. We need a middle of the range store, decent quality that lasts at least a couple of seasons but not expensive.”

CROSS-BORDER SHOPPING

The debate soon turned to the inevitability of shoppers crossing the border to satisfy their needs due to the lack of options and inflated prices locally.

“It's a good point that we always try to buy local and are 'forced' away to buy the same products cheaper even with the value added taxes,” another individual complained. “Maybe British products will return to favour post Brexit?”

A large portion of contributors to the discussion said that they were quite happy to buy locally and have even tried to engage with local retailers directly.

“I would like to buy more locally. I have tried and asked various shops to order things when I know they use certain cosmetic companies. I've even offered to pay upfront, so they wouldn't be left with the item if I didn't pick it up. The answer has always been 'no',” a disgruntled customer said. “It would be good if more shops had websites, so you know which products they have available, and prices, especially large electrical products.”

Travel insurers were unable to escape the brunt of the arguments and were criticised for their ‘awful advertising’ campaigns that do not keep tourists spending in Gibraltar.

“People don’t really stay in Gib, they go to Spain because it’s better and cheaper! Here, they get a day trip to see the apes, buy cheap smokes, booze and then leave. The private travel firms and satellite brands (some of which are years old) have awful advertising and seem to have unqualified parochial marketing leadership. I know professional marketers that have tried to help but hit a brick-wall of 'not invented here syndrome'. All very concerning, especially when there is a massive amount of marketing talent available in Gib's other industries. It is rather odd that a large cruise ship can arrive and disembark passengers to a closed Main Street.”

16-01-18 PANORAMAdailyGIBRALTAR