SouthGate boss is sure of success

SouthGate centre opens to public

The manager of Bath's new SouthGate shopping centre says the uniqueness of opening in the Georgian city will help it be a success during the recession.

The first phase of the £360m centre opened on Wednesday with the next phases due to open in May and September 2010.

Simon Pullen told BBC Bristol he was "a little apprehensive" about the opening day but was sure it would be a long-term success.

"If you were anywhere else other than Bath then it would be a difficult time," he said.

"We've seen retailers that have got a lot of confidence in the city and they're opening stores [in Bath] that are not looking to expand their business anywhere else in the UK."

He added that keeping in touch with those new stores - and offering help - would be key to success.

"Our big thing is to be in constant contact with our retailers and just seeing if they're hitting targets they've been set.

BATH'S SOUTHGATE SouthGate will cost £360m to build The first phase opened in 2009 with more than a dozen new shops Phases two and three open in May and September 2010 There will be eventually 55 new shops The centre features more than 800 car parking spaces In pictures: SouthGate opens

"We're here to help them in any way that we can to make sure that they're a success and we're a success."

John Hudson, an economics professor at the University of Bath, said it was likely SouthGate's impact would be felt outside of the city.

"I think it's going to have a bad impact on the market towns in the area - it will hasten their decline.

"And, probably too, have an impact on [other] shopping areas in Bath - say, Milsom Street as well."

Professor Hudson said if the centre's managers were hoping for tourist trade they could face difficulties.

"We know London benefits from all the tourists coming to do shopping but whether Bath will benefit in the same way is more dubious.

"I think on balance Bath should remember it's a tourist town and I can't see tourists coming from Singapore and Boston to the shopping centre.

"Whereas Milsom Street was something of an attraction," he added.

SouthGate introduces new streets to Bath, and unlike other new shopping centres in the region, is not enclosed.

Mr Pullen believes, despite the views of Professor Hudson, that the new centre will not poach trade from other parts of Bath.

"It links in really well with the city so it just looks like another part of the area," he said.

"It's also bringing new retail to Bath so it's not taking retail from the city centre so I think it'll compliment what's already here.

"It'll also aid the footfall through from the transport interchange and I just think it'll make Bath a better place to shop."

---

A selection of your comments on the shopping centre appear below...

After all the hype I found it rather disappointing - it's no different to any other High Street. I didn't find any of the shops particularly interesting or appealing. I'd much rather go to Salisbury. I used to love going to Bath but to be honest I think it is just trying to be the same as other towns and cities in the area and forgetting it's heritage now.
Maria, Trowbridge

I have been to Southgate in Bath. It is boring and feels small. There are only about 10 shops when they've been building it all for a few years now - Cabot Circus opened with around 90+ shops open and it was all on time.
You seen some shops at Southgate which were open being fitted still - some doors were going on to the shops.
I must admit it is better than the previous Southgate shopping centre which was there, but how it's been built, it looks like it's pieces of cardboard with the bath stone on them looking as if they're about to fall over. It looks like it's been done very cheaply. - Even though they spent £300+ Million on it. Cabot Circus is way better!
Scalter, Bristol

I work at the new Sainsbury's in Southgate, I think it's brilliant! I had a look around most of the shops and they all look great. This is definitely something Bath needed, and I know it will be a big success. There has been a lot of positive feedback from staff and customers, so hopefully things will stay that way!
Becky, Bath

Southgate is an unnecessary and destructive waste of resources. The old centre could have been improved with the addition of an atrium in the covered area, and money spent on cleaning the stone and remaking the canopies of the shops. The bus station should have been re-built on its old site and an elegant 21st century bridge built over Dorchester Street. The site of Churchill House (now the new bus station) should have been green landscaped down to the river. To bring 800 cars to the most congested area of the city is complete madness: the junction of Dorchester Street, St James' Parade and Southgate is likely to become a nightmare for traffic and pedestrians alike. Finally, the scale, detail and street patterns bear no resemblance to the 18th C buildings they are supposed to 'respect'. Great lumps of stone with a few quasi-classical elements are an insult to this city, which by now should have worked out a way to put modern buildings in the historic environment.
Norman, Bath