Barnstaple Perception Survey 2024

Introduction

The challenges of online shopping and retail parks has seen a decline in high streets across the country. New initiatives seek to regenerate town centres thorough community and cultural activities. Therefore, it is essential to measure the perception of the developments taking place in Barnstaple.

North Devon Council (NDC) currently has three major funded projects in Barnstaple: Future High Streets Fund (FHSF), led by the Ministry for Housing Communities and Local Government (MCHLG); Safer Streets Funded by the Home Office and the Cultural Development Fund (CDF) funded by Arts Council England. These projects serve a common purpose, which is to make Barnstaple a better place to live work and visit.

We sought to conduct a survey in order to understand how residents, businesses and visitors perceive Barnstaple town centre. The primary objective is to gather data and feedback that will assist in measuring the effectiveness of the regeneration projects taking place. We plan to run the survey every six months until the regeneration projects are complete and related activity have been established.

Round one of the survey consisted of 12 questions and ran for six weeks starting on Monday 12 June 2023 There were a total of 370 responses from online and paper surveys. This formed a baseline upon which we can begin to measure.

Round two of the survey had an additional question to find out if people had noticed any changes to the town centre offering. It ran for six weeks starting on 22 February. There were a total of 791 responses from online and paper surveys. The results are as follows.

What is your main reason for visiting Barnstaple?

What is your main reason for visiting Barnstaple? 37% Shopping – particularly branded retailers 23% Shopping – particularly Independent retailers   4% Pannier market    1% Culture i.e. heritage, arts & crafts, performance 11% Social i.e. Events, dining, pubs & bars  11% Work or College   3% Leisure i.e. outdoor spaces, sports & fitness  10% Other

37% Shopping – particularly branded retailers

23% Shopping – particularly Independent retailers

4% Pannier market

1% Culture i.e. heritage, arts & crafts, performance

11% Social i.e. Events, dining, pubs & bars

11% Work or College

3% Leisure i.e. outdoor spaces, sports & fitness

10% Other

Types of ‘other’ activities included:

Library

Bank

Health appointment/medical

Hairdressers

Live here

How often do you visit Barnstaple town centre for your primary purpose?

How often do you visit Barnstaple town centre for your primary purpose (as stated in question 1)?   10% Rarely 13% Less than once a month 14% Once a month 21% 2-3 times a month 17% Once a week 15% 2-3 times a week 10% Every Day

10% Rarely

13% Less than once a month

14% Once a month

21% 2-3 times a month

17% Once a week

15% 2-3 times a week

10% Every Day

What do you think are the strengths of Barnstaple?

What do you think are the strengths of Barnstaple Town Centre?    16% Branded retailers 18% Independent retailers 18% Pannier market  16% Culture i.e. heritage, arts & crafts, performance 17% Social i.e. Events, dining, pubs & bars 15% Leisure i.e. outdoor spaces, sports & fitness

16% Branded retailers

18% Independent retailers

 18% Pannier market

16% Culture i.e. heritage, arts & crafts, performance

17% Social i.e. Events, dining, pubs & bars

15% Leisure i.e. outdoor spaces, sports & fitness

Types of ‘other’ strengths included:

Bank/Building Society

Carnival

Medical Centre and Dentists

Hairdressers and Barber Shops

Beauty and Wellbeing

What do you think are the weaknesses of Barnstaple town centre?

What do you think are the weaknesses of Barnstaple Town Centre?    17% Limited accessibility 19% Limited shopping options 17% Limited dining options 18% Limited entertainment or cultural activity 21% Poor maintenance and upkeep 8% Other

17% Limited accessibility

19% Limited shopping options

17% Limited dining options

18% Limited entertainment or cultural activity

21% Poor maintenance and upkeep

8% Other

Types of ‘other’ weaknesses included:

Vacant shops

Antisocial behaviour

Toilets  - lack of and poor state

Expensive parking

What would help improve your experience of visiting Barnstaple town centre?

What would help improve your experience of visiting Barnstaple town centre?   19% More shops 17% More restaurants and cafes 19% More entertainment options including events 17% Improved accessibility including signage, pavements & cycle routes 20% Improved maintenance / cleanliness 8% Other

19% More shops

17% More restaurants and cafes

19% More entertainment options including events

17% Improved accessibility including signage, pavements & cycle routes

20% Improved maintenance / cleanliness

8% Other

Types of ‘other’ improvements included:

Cheaper parking or park and ride scheme.

Better signposting.

More facilities available for people not able to spend money

Less begging and street sleepers

Better pavements

How safe do you feel?

How Safe & secure do you feel when visiting Barnstaple?   21% Very 51% Reasonably 20% Not very 8% Not at all

21% Very

51% Reasonably

20% Not very

8% Not at all

How important is it to you that the town centre is pedestrian friendly?

How important is it to you that the town centre is pedestrian friendly?   63% Very important  27% Somewhat important 8% Not very important 2% Not at all important

63% Very important

27% Somewhat important

8% Not very important

2% Not at all important

How did you travel to Barnstaple?

How did you travel to Barnstaple?   63% Car 1% Taxi 9% Bus 1% Train 3% Cycle 21% On foot 2% Other

63% Car

1% Taxi

9% Bus

1% Train

3% Cycle

21% On foot

2% Other

Have you noticed any improvements or changes to what’s on offer in Barnstaple town centre in the last six months?

Have you noticed any improvements or changes to what on offer in Barnstaple town centre in the last 6 months?   38% Yes 61% No 1% No response

38% Yes

61% No

1% No response

If answered ‘yes’ comments include:

Pannier market reopening/upgrade

Electric scooters added around town to help transport

Boutport Street and  Butchers Row improved

Street Marshalls

Cleanliness

Pannier Market & Library has more events

Library Square

Green lanes

Barnstaple in Bloom work

What we have done

Street Marshals

Funded by The Safer Streets project, the marshals have made a significant impact on making the town centre a safer place. Funding has been secured to extend the contract.

Street Cleanliness Task Force

A team of people from across public service groups and organisations and set about cleaning the town by removing stickers and graffiti. The new street cleaning machine also made its debut.

Barnstaple In Bloom Planters

Funded by Safer Streets, the planters brought a burst of colour along the High Street and Butchers Row.

Chewing Gum Removal Machine

Following a successful bid as part of ‘Keep Britain Tidy’, this long awaited gadget is contributing to improving cleanliness.

Town Centre Enhancement Grant Scheme

A grant scheme to improve high street shops funded by the Shared Prosperity Fund.

Library Square

Funded by Section 106, new seating, planters and a feature bench have improved the area which can also be used for community events.

Re-opening of the Barnstaple Pannier Market

Following the completions of the renovations, the market’s new look has raised its profile and re-opened the much needed toilet facilities for public use.

Cultural Development Fund 

Funded by the Arts Council, a programme of events and activities are underway for all the community to enjoy. The Pannier Market hosted ‘Museum of the Moon’ receiving more than 26,000 visitors during December and January.