Member Article

High-Street Review welcomed by FSB

Mary Portas has published her review into the future of the high street, and sets out her vision to rejuvenate local communities and economies.

In the report, she focuses on putting the heart back into the high street by transforming them into exciting social hubs for learning, socialising and having fun.

Mary commented: “Our high streets can be lively, dynamic, exciting and social places that give a sense of belonging and trust to a community. Something which, as the recent riots clearly demonstrated, has been eroded and in some instances eradicated.

“I fundamentally believe that once we invest in and create social capital in the heart of our communities, the economic capital will follow.”

She believes more towns should be run like businesses, and by levelling the playing fireld and giving communities a greater say in how it is run, we can rejuvenate our ailing high street.

The FSB has welcomed her findings, and is now encouraging local and central government to take immediate action. The FSB has long called for change in this area, specifically around planning, parking and business rates in the belief that they will create jobs and encourage investment.

Ted Salmon, FSB North East Regional Chairman commented: “It looks like, through this
review, Mary Portas has really understood that challenge, and has put forward measures that should ensure the long-term sustainability of our high streets.

“What we need now is for it to be translated into action, especially locally, but it will only work if the wider reforms in the Portas Review help to ensure the variety and choice on the high street that consumers want.

“We need councils to do some long term thinking about the benefits of creating resilient and sustainable high streets and town centres in their local communities. Help in the short term can reap benefits further down the line.”

North East retail consultant Graham Soult agreed, adding: “I’m pleased that the Portas Review looks at the high street from both a retailer and a shopper perspective – proposing measures that would reduce the rates and rental burden on businesses at the same time as addressing how town centres can be made more attractive places to visit.

“For all the challenges that our town centres face, the UK still has many successful high streets, markets and Business Improvement Districts, and it’s right that the report should also celebrate some of these as examples of what can be achieved. The task now is for the Government – and everyone else who cares about the high street – to make sure that the best of these proposals are taken forward without delay.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .