Montgomeryshire Assembly Member, Russell George, agreed with the assessment made by retail expert, Mary Portas, that many High Streets across the UK were in need of a revival.
Ms Portas, who is one of the UK’s leading retail marketing consultants, was commissioned by the Prime Minister back in May to lead an independent review into the future of our High Streets. Today she unveiled her report which made a number of key recommendations to set about regenerating our ‘failing’ High Streets, which included improving the management of High Streets with new ‘town teams’, more affordable town centre car parking and disincentives for landlords who leave shops empty.
Commenting, Mr George said:
“I agree with the key conclusion made by Mary Portas that many of our High Streets are sadly failing.
“We need to look at our High Streets in a different way and we need to redefine their role and purpose because only a radical new vision for our town centres will ensure their viability in the future.
“I think some of the ideas in the report must be examined by both the Welsh Government and Powys Council because government at all levels have the responsibility to work with shops to regenerate our town centres.
“For example, if Welsh Ministers supported Welsh Conservative proposals to scrap business rates for small business, this would not only ease the financial burden but it would also encourage new business start-ups to enter the market.
“Again with parking, if the council made it free to park on certain days of the week, I believe this would encourage shoppers to come into our town centres, rather than shop in out-of-town outlets, which would increase footfall and help stimulate business growth.
“There is no simple answer to retail revitalisation but we must work together to find opportunities and workable solutions tailored to cater for local needs.”
