Retail Forum discusses crime and road works

The threat posed by criminal gangs operating in Marlborough, and the ongoing problems caused by road works in the town, are among the issues to be tackled by the Chamber of Commerce´s Retail Forum next week.

Under the leadership of new chairman Chris Birkett, who owns Ducklings toyshop in Hillier’s Yard, other items for discussion include car parking problems, the impact of the Jazz Festival on local trade, and the council’s plans for redevelopment of the town.

The meeting will be held at Waitrose from 6pm on Tuesday, June 8 and is open to all retail owners and managers in the town, whether or not they are members of the Chamber of Commerce.

The discussion into CCTV and the Storenet radio communication scheme will be re-opened, following several instances of shop-related crime committed by an eastern European gang. Instances of shoplifting and deception have been reported over the past week, and the gang seems to be targeting shops where younger people are manning the tills.

Marlborough is reported to be the only town between Bristol and London without CCTV. Meanwhile, the on-going road works associated with the laying of a gas pipeline is said to be costing some retailers thousands of pounds in lost trade.