“The Forum of Private Business is big supporter of the high street, and let’s be frank, high streets need as many friends as possible in the current climate.
“More than friends though, they need regular and frequent custom to make them viable destinations for shoppers and traders alike, and that’s why we as a small business support organisation have been actively lobbying both national and local government to help, because without their assistance, little or no progress will be made.
“But how can they help? Well for starters, local councils need new planning powers allowing them to reject applications by supermarkets. Under existing legislation, town planners can only decide a planning application on planning merits alone.
“We think this should be changed to allow refusal if there is evidence a particular application will harm existing traders. It end the supermarkets’ cut throat attempts to take over every single local high street, but will require a change in statute.
“We also want councils to be more sensible when it comes to car parking – and is something well within their power. If you want shoppers to come in to towns, don’t charge them for the privilege, otherwise they’ll go to the free out of town hypermarket.
“This is about making town centres more appealing places to visit.
“For that we also need more shops, more choice, and so government needs to look at slashing business rates which have spiralled by a massive 13% in just three years.
“This is harmful to all businesses on the high street.
“We’d also like help for the forgotten hero of the high street, the Great British pub. It’s why we’ve been actively supporting government plans to introduce a pub watchdog to protect landlords from abuse by the greedy pub cos.
“We joined the national campaign along with groups including The Campaign for Real Ale and Fair Pint to encourage ministers to uphold the principle that a tied licensee should be not worse of than a free-of-tie licensee.
“Help your high street, and shop local. To contact the Forum telephone: 0845 130 1722.
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