Today Mary Portas has today published her much anticipated report which makes interesting reading for those in the retail sector. More particularly, Ms Portas suggests local government should accept responsibility for some of the problems currently befalling high streets/ town centres throughout the land. However, the report also suggests that local authorities have to be part of the solution to improving town centres and that they should work alongside members of the community to promote change. All those in business will welcome the reduction of red tape but great care has to be taken to ensure that members of the public are protected from rogue traders.
I welcome the suggestion of a National Market Day. From my childhood days, I remember how many of the towns in Cornwall were a hive of activity on market day.
Free parking schemes also are a welcome suggestion, which can lead to increased footfall in town centres. Unfortunately, our local authority sees parking charges as an extra revenue stream. As a major tourist centre this is to be expected, but during winter I believe greater efforts should be made to reduce parking fees to encourage the local population to visit our town centres. The report very importantly highlights the cost of local business rates and the burden it places on new businesses. I for one welcome a review of this area.
Luckily, we in Falmouth have already put in place a successful BID project and our centre is very proactively run by Richard Gates. Let us all take food for thought from this report and in the new year join together to form a consultative body to focus on this report and suggest ways forward for our local community.
For further details of the report follow the link below:
Jeremy Edwards
Chairman
Port of Falmouth Chamber of Commerce.
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