A HEALTH check says Richmond's historic town centre is very much at a crossroads and can turn either way.

Consultants EDAW, called in by the town centre forum, recommend a £1m regeneration strategy over five years, driven by a streamlined board. They also suggest appointing a full-time town centre manager.

The draft strategy says Yorkshire market towns and service centres are not optimising their contribution to the creation of employment and wealth. Social and economic change is reinforcing that trend and challenging the future role of places like Richmond.

The district retains a dependency on Catterick Garrison for employment, which remains subject to some vulnerability - as does all UK defence-related work.

More residents could move away and commute in future unless there are new long-term employment opportunities.

Food shopping trips have been an important anchor for the economic viability of the town centre - but increasingly people are likely to shop near their workplace, rather than where they live.

"It is too early to quantify the impact of the new Tesco store at Catterick Garrison in this regard, although it is likely to reinforce this trend," says the report.

The spending power and profile of elderly residents - the so called "grey £" - will also change, and accessibility to the town centre will be a key factor.

For Richmond, the report says the long-term implications of these social and economic trends could be. -

l a negative impact on shops and other services as employees increasingly spend their wages out of town;

l a consequential decline in the quality and choice offered by local shops; and

l a knock-on effect on local suppliers and contractors as larger employers contract or close.

"Many small towns are facing similar challenges," the report admits. "Their decline impacts most on those who can least cope with change and particularly those who lack access to a car.

"Recent research suggests one in seven market towns is perceived to be in decline. Richmond town centre is very much at a crossroads."

The draft stresses that, although Richmond is the major shopping centre for Richmondshire, the new facilities emerging at Catterick Garrison could alter all that in the long run.

Most of Richmond's shops are around the market place, which is one of the largest cobbled spaces in England.

Mr Chris Duffill from EDAW, who unveiled the report to the public, said one problem was the conflict between pedestrians and cars.

Shopkeepers thought there was insufficient parking in the town centre. But more spaces could be freed up in the market place if the short stay policy was actually enforced, instead of some people parking all day. Employing more traffic wardens would solve that problem.

He went on: "Richmond has a dual role when it comes to "top-up" shopping and specialist tourist shops. It needs to do more and better."

Its vacant shops were above the Great Britain average but there was limited demand from developers, who wanted bigger units.

But at least the town had not suffered the loss of any banks or building societies occupying prime sites in the market place. If they become empty, it might not be easy to turn them to any retail use.

There was poor access for the disabled, not only to buildings but also to parking spaces.

Strong heritage attractions were not being publicised enough and the important asset of the river was very much underplayed.

"There is not a lot for young people to do in the town centre, except go to pubs," said Mr Duffill. "There are none of the family-orientated restaurants or cafes, which are an attraction in other towns. In fact there are very few leisure assets."

Discussions with Tom Cobleigh Plc, one of the main investors in the concept of a family pub diner with children's play facilities, revealed that it would consider Richmond as a viable location, in principle.

But a 5,000sq ft site with about 75 car parking spaces would be needed on the edge of the town centre. The post office in Queen's Road might provide that opportunity.

The evening economy was dominated by hotel bars, pubs and fast food. Rowdy and violent behaviour by a section was a disincentive to others.

The report recommended some form of pub watch scheme and said so far CCTV had had a limited impact on that kind of crime.

Pointing to the lack of events and activities in the town centre, particularly in the evening, it noted: "The market place is a natural amphitheatre to rank with some of the very best in Europe and yet this is rarely used to advantage."

The Georgian festival had foundered; Richmond Live was popular but took place at the Batts. The latter had identified a need for a communal place for all kinds of artists to rehearse, perform and exhibit.

The proposed redevelopment of the YMCA building to provide a youth caf, fitness suite and arts room could contribute towards that. Equally, Richmond School was pursuing special status which implied greater community involvement.

A household survey and an audit of community facilities needed to be carried out to determine the needs of Richmond residents.

If a multi-purpose community centre could be set up it would help diversify the mix of activity within the town centre.

The report also noted that, despite the fact there were more than 150 people on the waiting list for houses, people were not renting under-used or vacant accommodation above shops in the town centre.

Copies of the report can be obtained from Mr Ken Wilson, Richmond town centre manager at Swale House, Frenchgate, Richmond, tel 01748 873633. He would welcome comments by August 30.