CONTACT
VOICES OF STRETFORD
Following from our discussions structured around the conversation skeleton we got an insight into life in Stretford, the common thoughts between people and the differences. Below are real quotes from the people of Stretford recorded and categorised into five main themes.
MALL'S FAILINGS
“Feel Stretford has no focal point and the mall is too much of a focus” Female, 30s
“I think the mall should be gotten rid of and replaced with rows of shops and small pedestrian streets, really open up the space” Male, 50s
“The mall is very sad, we only go there because it’s convenient” Male, 40s
“Feel Stretford has no focal point and the mall is too much of a focus” Female, 30s
LEAVING STRETFORD FOR LEISURE AND RETAIL
“All our friends live in Chorlton” Female, 40s
“There’s not enough retail activity here for me to promote my business, I go to Urmston” Female, 40s
“We go out in Chorlton” Male, 40s
“If we go out we either go to the city centre or to Chorlton” Female, 20s
“I do all my food shopping in a market in Cholrton, then I just pick up bits and bobs like bread and milk in Stretford throughout the week.” - Male, 40s
NEED FOR LEISURE ACTIVITIES IN STRETFORD
“I would like to see more restaurants” Male, 40s
“I would like to see a market; a farmers market, a food market, a market… and independent shops and cafes, but not too many. It’s a fine balance” Female, 40s
“Sometimes there are pop-up restaurants in the area, and they’re a great success. I think Stretford has enough people to sustain a restaurant. I would also like independent cafes and a market” Male, 40s
“We would like to see a square, a market, restaurants that are not just takeaway, pubs… Costa is always busy, but it would be nice with an independent cafe too” Female, 40s
“All activity / public spaces focused around Mall – when Mall is shut, there is no social activity around the centre of Stretford” Male, 50s
“Lacking…. Is nightlife and restaurants” Female, 40s
HOUSING
“We’ve lived in Stretford for fifty years, we have a lovely house here, but I’m worried my children aren’t going to have the same quality of life” Male, 80s
“The houses [in Stretford] are nice! Many are old houses, there are not many new builds. [The houses] are good for families, but not for young people and couples” Female, 40s
“I Moved to Stretford but originally from Didsbury It was cheaper to buy a large family home here” Female, 30s
“Housing prices in Stretford are too high, my children won’t be able to afford buying a home so there’s a chance my family will move away from Stretford” Female, 50s
“A56 segregates Stretford one side on the other side of public hall is considered richer and housings are better quality whereas areas in the public hall site is poorer and in less quality conditions” Male, 50s
“I’m keen for low rise residential development, just no tower blocks” Female, 50s
COMMUNITY AND FURTHER COMMENTARY
“Younger people can leave Stratford for anything they need, it’s the older people that are left here” Female, 50s
“The mall is poor but it serves purpose, the elderly people love it, easily accessible undercover social spaces” Female, 50s
“People talk about there being a really strong sense of community here but they neglect so many of the residents” Female, 50s
“People talk about there being a really strong sense of community here but they neglect so many of the residents” Female, 50s
“The community is here and strong but it isn’t that inclusive. It excludes quite a few groups of people” Female, 50s
“Stretford is a very diverse area in terms of ethnicities, age… It’s good!” Male, 40s
“Stretford has a great family vibe, and even though I don’t have children I like that” Female, 40s
“Needs more greenery spaces in neighbourhood area” Male, 40s