A WEEK celebrating Wey Hill could be on the cards as local retailers discuss plans to spruce up the road, it was announced this week. Wey Hill Week would be designed to celebrate the road, which is one of Haslemere's busiest shopping areas. This is just one of the ideas retailers have come up with to raise the street's profile within the town. Haslemere and District Chamber of Trade and Commerce says it is keen to support the shops in Wey Hill and is asking local retailers, customers and Herald readers what changes they would like to see happening. Arya Ingvorsen, president of the Haslemere and District Chamber of Trade and Commerce, said the chamber was working with the town hall on the matter. Deputy mayor Brian Howard recently suggested that tubs of flowers could be used to make the street more attractive. An article in The Herald last month highlighted a number of difficulties the road is facing, such as gridlocked traffic, lack of parking and too many empty shops. Mrs Ingvorsen said: "I think there is very much a feeling that people want to see the area regenerated. The High Street shops are full, but as far as Wey Hill is concerned I think closed shops don't give a very good impression." At least five shops on the road currently stand empty. She added: "We would really like people who are setting up businesses to come and test the market in Wey Hill. I know it is difficult for people who want to come into retail. "There are some fantastic shops on Wey Hill and they all look great." She said the group was discussing the possibly of using decorated screens to cover the closed shop windows, and may liaise with local schools to help. "We're really hoping to get the attention back on Wey Hill. It's got a lot of potential and it's very busy," she said. "It just needs enhancing, but there's no quick fix." One Wey Hill date for the diary is Tuesday, July 4, when the town will play host to an "Independents' Day" - a day specially organised to celebrate the uniqueness of Haslemere businesses and aiming to raise the profile of the town. Chamber of commerce members plan to discuss possible improvements for Wey Hill at their meeting on Tuesday. Anyone with suggestions for how they would like to see Wey Hill improved invited to write to The Herald or email Mrs Ingvorsen at [email protected]">[email protected]
