Mary Portas’ High Street Review, published today, endorses the need for action to rescue the state of many high streets across the country – re-stating the essence of the Conservative Parliamentary Enterprise Group’s Commission into Small Shops in the High Street, which was published in July 2008.
Brian Binley MP, who chaired the 2008 inquiry, wrote to Mary Portas with a copy of the Commission’s report and conclusions back in June and expressed satisfaction at today’s conclusions. He commented: “I am delighted that Mary Portas’ inquiry has drawn so strongly on the work which the Commission undertook in 2008, and am struck by the commonality of the conclusions that her work and ours have both reached. The outcomes of these inquiries provide a compelling case for action to ensure an appropriate policy response which will save the vital community resource that is our otherwise-imperilled high streets”.
Mr Binley stated: “in particular, we need to be pro-active to ensure that small businesses and independent retailers have room to flourish as part of vibrant town centres. Without urgent action – which must include a credible policy response – we risk losing these community hubs, which would be a serious blow to our towns and their local populations”.
He continued: “what is very apparent from both reports is the need to ensure pro-active management of our high streets, whilst providing an adequate response to ensure that out-of-town retail developments contribute to the needs of local communities.”
