WAYS to revive Arnold town centre for businesses and shoppers will be the focus of an independent economic review.
The four-week survey will look at how to increase shoppers' numbers in Front Street, improve the area around the recently-refurbished leisure centre and potentially create a new bus station.
Economists Strategic Leisure will come to Arnold this month
Gedling Borough Council leader John Clarke, who took over responsibility for economic development in Wednesday's cabinet reshuffle, thinks Arnold is in danger of falling behind satellite towns in Notts.
He said: "We need to upgrade Arnold and bring it up to the standards of other places. It's getting left behind by places like West Bridgford and Mapperley Top.
"We feel now is the time. If you get the footfall, the shops will follow."
The economic review, costing between £2,500 to £3,000, will identify ways to boost trade and increase visitor numbers to the town.
The first stage will look at how the area around the leisure centre could be enhanced and radical plans to overhaul the town centre could lead to a new bus station and relocation of Arnold market.
Councillor Clarke said: "One of our aims for Arnold is to create a transport hub. Where we put it is sure to generate debate. The review will involve speaking to traders to get their views and form a clear plan to bring Arnold back to boom.
"We'll look at other places, like Beeston and Hucknall, that are going through changes at the moment and learn from them.
"We can't be afraid to make big decisions and could even demolish some places to open up more space."
Julie Henshaw, manager of long-standing Front Street butchers Chambers, said the town needed a boost.
"It's about time something was done," she said.
"The high street is dying a death and doesn't have the footfall it used to.
"It's the smaller independent shops that draw people to Arnold and we're having to compete with big supermarkets with much larger advertising budgets.
"If you look at places like West Bridgford, they have an awful lot of quality eateries and coffee shops which draw people in. I don't think they've got better shops but their footfall is higher because of the range of options."
Tom Hill, of mobility scooter shop Midlands Mobility, opposite Arnold Market, said the town needed more promotion.
"We've been here over a year and we still get people saying they didn't know where we were," he said. "There are big possibilities for Arnold and I'd like to see it promoted more, whether that's on the radio or otherwise."
Mr Hill thinks reducing rent for empty shops would benefit the entire high street.
"I've always believed that filling all the shops makes things look more vibrant. At the moment, it looks a bit lethargic because there are a lot of empty spaces but there is potential there that should be realised. If there are more shops, then shoppers will come."
Traders at Arnold Market say a lack of stalls, coupled with car parking charges after the first two hours, are hampering their trade.
Jon Gray, of JJ Pet Foods, said: "People don't have time to browse because they're rushing back to their cars. That means they don't have time to look around and find the bargains they can get on the market."
How would you like to see Arnold town centre redeveloped? E-mail newsdesk@nottinghampost.com.