Brigg business review 2005

1 January 2006

2005 has been a generally upbeat period for business in Brigg and in North Lincolnshire too. The national economy continues to remain strong and this has made a positive impact here locally. The most noticeable effect in Brigg has been on the Atherton Way industrial estate where a rash of building work is in progress.

Seen above are a new warehouse on Atherton Way, the new Wendy Foster Dance Academy being built and a new warehouse / office also on Atherton Way.

The industrial estate on Atherton Way is also the site for the new Brigg Primary School (left) which is due to move from Glebe Road to its new location towards the end of 2006. Rocal Panels continues to grow in size with a large extension. On the banks of the New River Ancholme, the new Barrett's housing estate (right) is nearing completion welcoming many new families to Brigg.

Brigg town centre - along Wrawby Street, around the Market Place and in the courts has also seen a boom with an almost full occupancy of retail outlets. This has been helped by the Business Rate Reduction announced for small businesses. Some of the new business arrivals and departures are:

The trend over the past few years in Brigg has been away from industry - such as the Sugar Works and bicycle production - towards businesses offering more personal services and speciality goods.

Brigg is fast gaining an image as the centre in North Lincolnshire for beauty, hairdressing, fashion as well as 'lifestyle' products such as stoneware, furniture and interior decoration.

Large scale economic factors including globalisation and European integration have also had an affect in Brigg (and also the rest of North Lincolnshire). There are now many hundreds of migrant workers from the former Eastern Bloc countries forming a valuable part of the workforce - and new businesses springing up from the import of Southern and Eastern European products.

The internet, too, has made its presence felt with trading on auction sites like eBay putting pressure on local shops and auction rooms. The surprise announcement of the closure of DDM Auction Rooms has marked the end of an era in Brigg now that the both the cattle market and now the household and collector's auction have gone.

On the positive side, the DDM Auction Rooms have been mooted as an ideal, potential location for a, much needed, Community Hall to replace the Corn Exchange. Brigg businesses, too, have been making increased use of the internet to sell goods and attract new customers.

What will 2006 bring? Already there have been two announcements of new beauty businesses due to open soon. The defunct showroom of Smith Parkinson, however, continues to detract from the image of the Market Place - surely soon a business will make use of this prime location?

Barring any major disturbances caused by national or international events, the future for business in Brigg is looking extremely healthy. First steps shall be taken in 2006 to re-start the Brigg Chamber of Trade - showing evidence of a will in the business community to promote local, Brigg business into 2006 and beyond with new products, services and events to draw in visitors from North Lincolnshire and the wider area.