The BBC's Panorama research team are looking into focussing on Matlock on a programme they are researching on the High Street and the effects of the recession. I was contacted and agreed to do some legwork and talk to local businesses. As many locals are aware Matlock's high street businesses have faced a lot of change and some testing times and the economic climate is the latest challenge to affect them. I was undeniably concerned about the possibility of unleashing a catalogue of doom and gloom
stories about Matlock. I spoke to Matlock Town Council's Tony Rosser and he shared my concern and kindly directed me to some businesses that would be able to comment honestly about the issues the Panorama programme wanted to probe: footfall in the town, change in response from suppliers and customers; the reactions of the banks; general attitude. Coleman Bradshaw, Geoff Stevens, Derbyshire Larder, Dawn Keyse Homeopathy all engaged with me on the subject and felt they were in a good position and were
pleased by the footfall to their businesses and the support from their customers. There were no doom and gloom stories there. Phew! I walked around the town and, sure, there are a few gaps - Woolworths and the kitchen shop on the corner spring to mind - but there aren't wall to wall '75% off sale' or 'closing down' notices.
I rang the BBC researchers back and reported the optimism I had found and passed on contact details. The Panorama team are confused now. We mused on the idea that businesses in Derbyshire possibly err on the side of caution, preferring the traditional way of conducting business, and had not jumped on the credit bandwagon. The businesses I spoke to seem in touch with customer need and offer products that meet demand. The man from the Beeb agreed that traditional is best right now. His quandry is, I
suspect, that they are set on the theme of the negative impact of economic turmoil. They are no doubt still looking for doom and gloom stories and are following other avenues now. I will stay in contact with them and we'll see what transpires. I will definitely watch the programme with interest and I invite people from Matlock to feedback to me any thoughts on the subject that they have. I will happily publish comments on this blog and in thebestof newsletter.