The Newark Advertiser found out people’s thoughts on Newark becoming a more touristic spot rather than a retail

In its weekly voxpop, the Advertiser heard people’s views on Newark investing in tourism and becoming more of a cultural hub than a retail one.

Newark, like many other places across the country, has seen both independent and chain stores closing recently, but several new businesses are also opening to try and bring the town back to life.

Works are being done to improve the town, from new parking offers, the Newark Castle project and better and improved roads and transport links, so is the solution to promote Newark as more of a tourist destination?

Stuart Lakin said: “I came to college in Newark many years ago and have been back every year since and it is nice to see it evolving.

“It is very quiet, which used to be a bit more vibrant than it is now but I think it certainly has its charm as it is and maybe work on that charm.

“Working on the heritage side a bit more, not so sure about the cafe culture as it is quite an old town but it needs something doing like most places across the country.”

Rachel Penson said yes to more tourism and shops, and less housing.

“Parking is an issue in Newark but to be honest it more about the traffic flow around the town which to be fair the council is trying to address,” she said.

The people the Advertiser spoke to regarding tourism were divided between promoting the town more, and investing in its retail first.

Lee Duller said: “I think we need a little better retail in the town before we go into tourism.

“I think the council are looking at tourism more, and the way they are trying to expand and turn the Newark Castle into the Lincoln Castle.

“There are a lot of empty promises at the minute and I think to get tourism in you have to first amend the retail side of it, that is the way I feel about it.”

Heather Blanchard described Newark as a “ghost town” with so many shops are closing down.

Heather’s husband, Brian added: “They need to square the place for a start, the town is terrible for what it used to be, the market has no stalls, it has gone to pieces.

“They should invest in doing the place up before thinking of bringing people in.”

While some believe that efforts should be made to bring more people into the town, Amber de Vries and her mother, April de Vries, like the fact that Newark is a ‘nice and quiet’ town and that there are enough pubs and cafes to make it pleasant and more touristic.

Amber added that the number of historic buildings across the centre should be promoted more.

One of the ideas to make Newark more of a tourist attraction was to invest in the number of events happening, both for tourism but also for residents.

Jo Wolfemdem said: “There should be more things and events to attract people because it feels a bit dead and a bit down.

“The castle is being done up, which is a good thing.”

Liz Huxtable said: “Newark is a beautiful historical town with a beautiful square, and it needs to have more things to attract people in.

“Better shops, better cafes, Newark is beautiful and I think it misses out on tourism, and it has got the castle, which has so much history!”

Barbara Thompson said that both the castle and market could be promoted more as Newark is a nice town with good offers, aside from a few empty shops.

The Newark Advertiser now asks its readers — Do you think Newark should become more of a tourism spot?