Survey Report June 2015
Contents Page Summary 4 Introduction 6 Who lives around Myddleton Road? 8 Spending habits 9 Why do local households not use Myddleton Road more? 13 Why people like Myddleton Road 16 The Future of Myddleton Road 20 Conclusion 23 Appendix 25 The Myddleton Road Survey and this report were put together by members of the We Love Myddleton Road community group, as a voluntary (unpaid) activity Myddleton Road Survey June 2015 2
Myddleton Road Survey June 2015 3
Summary There are 9,200 households living within a 10-minute walk of Myddleton Road, made up of 22,500 people. These households spend around 77 each week on groceries, or 37 million each year. They spend 55 each week on entertainment and going out, or 26 million per year. However, only a small percentage of this spending by local households goes to Myddleton Road. The main reasons that local households do not spend more of their money on Myddleton Road are that the street does not have the right shops, products or services. Very few people say they don t spend money on Myddleton Road because they prefer alternatives elsewhere. The main things that local households dislike about Myddleton Road are poor quality shop-fronts and empty shops. The main things that people like about Myddleton Road are its friendliness, sense of community and the fact that most shops are independent businesses. The results of the Myddleton Road Survey therefore show the street has enormous commercial potential that can benefit traders, landlords and the local population. Myddleton Road Survey June 2015 4
To achieve this potential will require: Landlords to invest in the appearance of their properties and encourage new businesses to open Traders to appeal as much as possible to the spending habits of the whole of the local population Local households to spend more of their weekly grocery and entertainment budgets on Myddleton Road Myddleton Road Survey June 2015 5
1. Introduction 1.1. Background Myddleton Road has been a shopping street since the end of the 19 th century. Local residents who have lived in the area for many years can remember it as a bustling local high street where their families did all their weekly shop. 1 The commercial section of Myddleton Road runs from numbers 64 to 143. Although it has fallen on hard times in recent years, the local community remains attached to Myddleton Road and proud of its history, character and community. Historic photos celebrating its past are displayed in local businesses. Most residents believe the road is now improving. 1.2. The Myddleton Road Survey To help create a better future for the street, the community group We Love Myddleton Road undertook a survey of local residents to find out what they would like to see on the road, why they don t use it more often and where they do their shopping. The survey had 566 responses. This report presents the findings of the survey, together with information on the local area drawn from the 2011 United Kingdom Census. The survey was conducted online using SurveyMonkey, and lasted for the month of April 2015. It was promoted online via Twitter, Facebook and community forums, and through 5,000 flyers delivered to homes around the area. Two drop-in sessions were held for people who couldn t complete the survey online. 1 Some of these stories can be heard at: http://www.bowesandbounds.org/profiles/blogs/my-bowes-park Myddleton Road Survey June 2015 6
1.3. Who completed the survey? The age profile of survey respondents was as follows Age 0 to 15 0% 16 to 24 1% 25 to 34 33% 35 to 44 37% 45 to 54 15% 55 to 64 8% 65 to 74 5% 75 to 84 1% 85 or over 0% The survey asked respondents for their postcode. Using this information, we can see that households across a wide area completed the survey: Myddleton Road Survey June 2015 7
2. Who lives around Myddleton Road? 2.1. Local population According to the 2011 Census, there are 22,500 people living within a 10- minute walk of Myddleton Road, comprising 9,200 households. The local population grew by 25% between 2001 and 2011. This is more than twice the Greater London population growth over the same period. In 2011 the average size of local households was 2.4 people, with a third of households home to two people. 2.2. Bowes Park station Bowes Park railway station sits at the northern end of Myddleton Road. According to 2013-14 data published by the Office of Rail Regulation, an average of 2,600 people use Bowes Park station each day, which represents almost 1 million people per year. The station is getting steadily busier. Usage of Bowes Park station increased by 73% between 2008-09 and 2013-14. In comparison, 1.2 million people use Alexandra Palace station each year (around 3,300 per day), but usage has increased by only 21% over the same period. Myddleton Road Survey June 2015 8
3. Spending habits 3.1. Introduction The 9,200 households who live locally spend money on groceries and going out. Only some of this money is spent on Myddleton Road. The Myddleton Road Survey asked local households about how much they spend each week and where. 3.2. Groceries Local households spend an average of 77 each week on groceries such as food, household basics, etc. How much does your household spend each week on groceries? 10 or less 0% 11 to 20 1% 21 to 30 5% 31 to 40 9% 41 to 60 21% 61 to 80 19% 81 to 100 18% 101 to 120 16% 121 to 140 7% 141 to 160 3% Over 160 1% We can therefore estimate that the 9,200 households living within a 10-minute walk of Myddleton Road spend around 37 million each year on groceries. However, the average household in the area only spends 9 each week on groceries from Myddleton Road. Myddleton Road Survey June 2015 9
How much does your household spend each week on groceries from Myddleton Road? Nothing 30% 10 or less 40% 11 to 20 17% 21 to 30 8% 31 to 40 4% 41 to 60 2% 61 to 80 0% 81 to 100 0% 101 to 120 0% 121 to 140 0% 141 to 160 0% Over 160 0% We can therefore estimate that the 9,200 households living within a 10-minute walk of Myddleton Road spend around 4 million each year on groceries from Myddleton Road. Instead of Myddleton Road, most local households do their grocery shopping online, or elsewhere. Where do you mainly do your grocery shopping? Online 28% Palmers Green 15% Muswell Hill 15% Green Lanes, south of the North Circular 14% Bowes Park and Bounds Green 13% Turnpike Lane and Wood Green 13% Friern Barnet 5% Winchmore Hill 5% Crouch End 4% These results show two thirds (66%) of local households mainly spend their grocery budgets outside the borough of Haringey, either online or in locations such as Palmers Green. Myddleton Road Survey June 2015 10
3.3. Going out Local households spend around 55 each week on going out for eating, drinking and entertainment. How much does your household spend each week on going out for eating, drinking and entertainment? Nothing 1% 10 or less 4% 11 to 20 10% 21 to 30 16% 31 to 40 13% 41 to 60 21% 61 to 80 12% 81 to 100 13% 101 to 120 6% 121 to 140 3% 141 to 160 1% Over 160 2% We can therefore estimate that the 9,200 households living within a 10-minute walk of Myddleton Road spend around 26 million each year on going out and entertainment. However, local households only spend an average of 13.50 each week on going out and entertainment on Myddleton Road. How much does your household spend each week on going out for eating, drinking and entertainment on Myddleton Road? Nothing 23% 10 or less 31% 11 to 20 21% 21 to 30 15% 31 to 40 4% 41 to 60 4% 61 to 80 1% 81 to 100 1% 101 to 120 0% 121 to 140 0% 141 to 160 0% Over 160 0% Myddleton Road Survey June 2015 11
Besides Bowes Park and Bounds Green, the most popular places to go out for eating, drinking and entertainment are Muswell Hill and Crouch End. Where in North London do you mainly go out for eating, drinking and entertainment? Muswell Hill 48% Bowes Park and Bounds Green 43% Crouch End 39% Finsbury Park and Stroud Green 16% Palmers Green 14% Green Lanes, Harringay 13% Turnpike Lane and Wood Green 9% Central London 6% Upper Street, Islington 5% Southgate 2% Myddleton Road Survey June 2015 12
4. Why do local households not use Myddleton Road more? 4.1. Introduction Myddleton Road contains a range of shops, cafés, restaurants and other businesses. This section presents information on how often the 9,200 households living locally spend money on Myddleton Road, and why they don t use it more. 4.2. Use of Myddleton Road Most local residents currently spend money on Myddleton Road no more than once a week. How often do you spend money on Myddleton Road? Every day or nearly every day 9% Three or four times a week 27% Not more than once a week 26% Two or three times a month 19% Once a month or less 18% Never 2% Spending on Myddleton Road mostly takes place during weekends, especially Saturday. Which days of the week do you typically spend money on Myddleton Road? Monday 26% Tuesday 29% Wednesday 33% Thursday 34% Friday 48% Saturday 79% Sunday 60% The busiest hours of the day for Myddleton Road currently are 10am to 12pm, and 6pm to 8pm. Myddleton Road Survey June 2015 13
During which hours of the day do you typically spend money on Myddleton Road? 6am to 8am 5% 8am to 10am 11% 10am to 12pm 42% 12pm to 2pm 38% 2pm to 4pm 35% 4pm to 6pm 33% 6pm to 8pm 56% 8pm to 10pm 36% 10pm to midnight 11% 4.3. Why is Myddleton Road not used more? The main reasons that local residents do not spend their money on Myddleton Road are that the street does not have the right shops (71%) and does not have the right products or services (56%). What stops you from spending money on Myddleton Road more often? Not the right shops 71% Not the right products or services 56% Not enough variety 46% Unattractive shop fronts 43% No free cash machine 36% Litter on the area 18% Prefer alternatives around the area 15% Risk of crime 10% Not convenient 6% Opening hours 1% Parking issues 1% Residents also mentioned unattractive shop fronts (43%) and the absence of a free cash machine (36%). Very few people only 15% - say they don t spend money on Myddleton Road because they prefer alternatives around the area. The principal things that local households dislike about Myddleton Road and the businesses operating there are poor quality shop-fronts (25%) and empty shops (24%). Myddleton Road Survey June 2015 14
What do you dislike about Myddleton Road and the businesses operating there? Not enough variety/right shops 29% Poor quality shop-fronts 25% Empty shops 24% Too many estate agents 17% Scruffiness 16% Rubbish 14% Individuals loitering 8% Does not represent wider community 7% Too many bedsits 7% Betting shop 7% Risk of crime 5% Opening hours 4% Street drinking 3% Poor value 2% Too quiet 2% Offices in shops 2% There are still a lot of unused premises and boarded-up shops. Not enough variety to make people come for window shopping. Some shop fronts are very tatty and therefore the road looks ugly. That it s mostly trade so closed on the weekend, that there are so many closed shops and that there isn't much variety at all, especially of an evening or on the weekend when most people are able to make use of it - it feels like a ghost street. It's run down and whilst there are those that have smartened up, the others are dragging the road behind. Lack of integration, cooperation and inclusion of different cultures. That landlords do not understand or value their properties or the street. Myddleton Road Survey June 2015 15
5. Why people like Myddleton Road 5.1. Introduction The previous sections showed how little local households spend on Myddleton Road, and explored some of the reasons why. However, Myddleton Road is changing, and the majority of people believe it has improved in recent years: Over the last two years, would you say Myddleton Road has: Got better 80% Got worse 1% Stayed the same 9% Don't know 10% This section describes what households like about Myddleton Road, and what they think is special about the street. 5.2. What do people like about Myddleton Road? The main things that people like about Myddleton Road are its friendliness, sense of community and the fact that most shops are independent businesses. Myddleton Road Survey June 2015 16
What do you like about Myddleton Road and the businesses operating there? Friendly 26% Sense of community 25% Independent businesses 24% The Step 18% Local/convenience 10% Potential 9% Unique/quirky/characterful 8% Variety of cultures, old/new, shops 7% La Coppia 7% Hellenic Gourmet 5% Vrisaki 4% History/architecture 4% The Hub 4% Red Sea 4% Market 4% Lucas Bros 3% Ruby's Cave 2% Killick Stores 2% Mum's Bistro 2% Respondents also highlighted their favourite businesses on the street such as The Step, La Coppia, Hellenic Gourmet and Vrisaki. All the businesses seem to know each other and when you talk to them they are friendly. I like that it s a mix of the old and the new. I love the fact that it s really close to me and that it could be a local hub with friendly locals who have a sense of local community. It's unpretentious and real - the food available from The Step, La Coppia and Hellenic Gourmet in particular is excellent and well priced. It's quiet and feels like a village. Like a little community Myddleton Road Survey June 2015 17
They are small businesses run by people who chat. That they aren't pretentious, that there aren't frills but that there is quality, honesty and warmth there. Small, independently-run businesses; I prefer to give my money to them than huge chains - the owners tend to be nicer/friendlier than overworked/underpaid chain employees as well. Some lovely people running many of the shops and businesses, many of them have been around for years. The people who have been putting loads of effort into the community are really making a difference, and thank you. 5.3. Attracting new people to Myddleton Road Just as people living in Bowes Park and Bounds Green spend money elsewhere, individuals living in other areas, such as Muswell Hill or Palmers Green, could be attracted to visit Myddleton Road in future. Among local residents, over half mentioned The Step as a reason to visit Myddleton Road for the first time, as well as other restaurants and businesses such as La Coppia, Vrisaki and Ruby s Cave. Myddleton Road Survey June 2015 18
If you had to persuade someone to visit Myddleton Road f or the first time, what would you tell them? The Step 52% Quirky/Eclectic 18% Up and coming 14% La Coppia 13% Virisaki 13% Friendly/community feel 12% Independent businesses 10% Hellenic Gourmet 8% Edwardian shop-fronts 8% History / Conservation area 7% Ruby's Cave 4% Mum's Bistro 4% George Moores 4% Killick Stores 3% Residents also mentioned the quirky and eclectic character of Myddleton Road, its improving features and its friendly atmosphere. It's different to other high streets, friendly, lots of independent traders. It is a hidden gem with great restaurants and it is an up and coming area. Go to The Step!! The staff are friendly and welcoming and the food is delicious! Great atmosphere and a lovely environment to be in. It has a unique understated charm. Its businesses aren't franchised and the owners/managers really want to see the area do well. They care. It s a complete breath of fresh air. I have used this approach with my friends and family already. Myddleton Road Survey June 2015 19
6. The Future of Myddleton Road 6.1. Introduction The previous sections showed how local households do not spend money on Myddleton Road because there aren t the right shops or services. The Myddleton Road Survey asked people what they would like to see on the road in future. 6.2. What shops and businesses do people want The most popular additions to Myddleton Road would be a bakery (68%), an independent coffee shop (43%) and a butcher (40%). Which of the following would you like to see open on Myddleton Road? Bakery 68% Independent coffee shop 43% Butcher 40% Restaurant 35% Bar/pub 30% Bookshop 30% Fishmonger 29% Post Office 26% Artist studio/space 25% Gym 20% Wine Merchant 20% Co-working space 18% Yoga studio 18% Children's play area 17% Community space for hire 15% Antique shop 13% Supermarket 9% National coffee chain 6% Pharmacy 3% Charity shop 2% The survey asked respondents whether there were particular products or services that they would like to be able to get on Myddleton Road that are not currently available. Myddleton Road Survey June 2015 20
The most frequent suggestions were a free cash machine (14%), organic food (7%), a pharmacy (7%), a florist (6%) and more child-friendly cafés and restaurants (6%). 6.3. What businesses do people like? Local households identified businesses among the many small and independent shops and cafés around North London that they would like to see open a branch on Myddleton Road. The most popular suggestions were: Haberdashery, Crouch End Owen's Deli, Muswell Hill Sable D Or, Muswell Hill Banners, Crouch End Lefteris Bakery, Green Lanes ChrisKitch, Muswell Hill Franca Manca, Marylebone Haelen Centre, Crouch End Bar Esteban, Crouch End Baskerville s Tea Room, Palmers Green Daunt Books, Belsize Park La Porchetta, Muswell Hill The majority of people said they did not want any national chains to open on Myddleton Road as they prefer independent shops with character. Are there any national chains that you would like to see open on Myddleton Road? No, keep it independent 52% Waitrose 13% Sainsbury s 7% Planet Organic 6% Boots 5% Oliver Bonas 5% M&S 5% Costa 5% Gail's Artisan Bakery 4% Café Nero 4% Pizza Express 4% Post Office 3% Myddleton Road Survey June 2015 21
The only significant exceptions were chains such as Waitrose and Sainsbury s, which some people felt would bring footfall to the street that would help independent businesses to grow. Residents were also open to small chains such as Gail's Artisan Bakery and Planet Organic. Survey respondents were also asked about their favourite high street in London. The results were as follows: What s your favourite high street in London? Upper Street, Islington 30% Muswell Hill Broadway 20% Church Street, Stoke Newington 13% Broadway, Crouch End 12% Broadway Market, Hackney 7% Columbia Road, Tower Hamlets 5% High Street, Highgate 4% Green Lanes, Harringay 4% Green Lanes, Palmers Green 3% High Road, Wood Green 2% Kingsland High Road, Dalston 1% Myddleton Road Survey June 2015 22
7. Conclusion 7.1. The business opportunity of Myddleton Road The Myddleton Road Survey has shown that the 9,200 households who live within a 10-minute walk of Myddleton Road spend a total of 63 million each year on groceries, household basics, eating out, drinking and entertainment. This suggests that the catchment area and spending power within a 10- minute walk of Myddleton Road is more than enough for the 79 buildings on the commercial stretch of the street to operate as successful businesses. Many already are. The main reasons local households do not spend more on Myddleton Road is that the street does not have the right shops or services. But local households strongly value the friendly, community village feel of Myddleton Road, and the fact that businesses are independently-owned. Households believe this is what makes Myddleton Road distinctive compared to high streets elsewhere, such as Muswell Hill, Palmers Green, Crouch End and other nearby areas. The results of the Myddleton Road Survey therefore show the street has enormous commercial potential that can benefit traders, landlords and the local population. To achieve this potential will require: Landlords to invest in the appearance of their properties and encourage new businesses to open Traders to appeal as much as possible to the spending habits of the whole of the local population Local households to spend more of their weekly grocery and entertainment budgets on Myddleton Road Myddleton Road Survey June 2015 23
If Myddleton Road retains and builds on its unique, distinctive qualities, it has the potential to attract customers and spending not just from the local area, but further afield as well. 7.2. We Love Myddleton Road To build on the results of the Myddleton Road Survey, the community group We Love Myddleton Road is going to: Disseminate our findings to local councillors, Myddleton Road landlords and traders Promote the results - and proposed actions - to the local community via online community forums, Facebook and Twitter Campaign for a free cash machine to be installed on Myddleton Road Encourage new businesses and traders to open on Myddleton Road, and help them make contact with landlords Develop a website to promote and market the range of new and old businesses on Myddleton Road 7.3. Getting in touch with We Love Myddleton Road If you would like to contact We Love Myddleton Road about this report, you can do so via: Email: ilovemyddletonroad@gmail.com Twitter: @WeLoveMyddleton Myddleton Road Survey June 2015 24
Appendix About We Love Myddleton Road The community campaign group We Love Myddleton Road was formed to help protect and promote Myddleton Road - one of Bowes Park s most important and unique assets. The group works alongside the Bowes Park Community Association and the existing Myddleton Road Strategy Group to complement the work these groups have been doing for many years. It was formed by concerned residents and traders wanting to see more regeneration on the road and protection for its valuable shops and buildings. The group s focus is to find ways for the whole community, both residents and traders, to play their part in building a better future for this much loved road Bowes Park Community Association A registered charity, the Bowes Park Community Association works to promote activities for the benefit of the people who live, work or have an interest in Bowes Park, and the surrounding area. It aims to protect and conserve the physical and natural environment of the area, improve facilities for recreation and provide a range of opportunities for people to meet and participate in a range of leisure activities, for example, the Myddleton Road Community Gardens and community gym. www.bowespark.org Myddleton Road Survey June 2015 25