This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/uk-16153541
The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 3 | Version 4 |
---|---|
Mary Portas to unveil report into High Street revival | Mary Portas to unveil report into High Street revival |
(40 minutes later) | |
Retail expert Mary Portas is set to warn that many of the UK's High Streets may be lost unless shops and councils work together to regenerate them. | Retail expert Mary Portas is set to warn that many of the UK's High Streets may be lost unless shops and councils work together to regenerate them. |
Her report for government on the decline of town centres says years of neglect and the growth of online shopping have left many areas "dying". | Her report for government on the decline of town centres says years of neglect and the growth of online shopping have left many areas "dying". |
She is expected to suggest cutting regulations for High Street traders and plans for a national market day. | She is expected to suggest cutting regulations for High Street traders and plans for a national market day. |
But council leaders have criticised Ms Portas for not consulting them. | But council leaders have criticised Ms Portas for not consulting them. |
Relaxing rules | |
"There are 28 recommendations," Ms Portas told the BBC. | |
"The model of the High Street is so outdated. It is working in the same way that it did in the 1960s, but the 1960s are no longer here." | |
Her report is expected to recommend relaxing licensing rules for market stalls to make it easier for people to set up stands. | Her report is expected to recommend relaxing licensing rules for market stalls to make it easier for people to set up stands. |
Some regulations could be axed for High Street traders, including restrictions on night-time deliveries put in place to minimise noise for those living nearby. | Some regulations could be axed for High Street traders, including restrictions on night-time deliveries put in place to minimise noise for those living nearby. |
A national market day aimed at promoting indoor or outdoor markets and helping drive traffic towards shops is another expected idea. | A national market day aimed at promoting indoor or outdoor markets and helping drive traffic towards shops is another expected idea. |
But Ms Portas is thought to have decided against a moratorium on out-of-town shopping developments - an idea championed by some business groups. | But Ms Portas is thought to have decided against a moratorium on out-of-town shopping developments - an idea championed by some business groups. |
She said: "With town centre vacancy rates doubling over the last two years the need to take action to save our High Streets has never been starker." | She said: "With town centre vacancy rates doubling over the last two years the need to take action to save our High Streets has never been starker." |
'Sensible ideas' | 'Sensible ideas' |
Richard Dodd, from the British Retail Consortium (BRC), said there were a "good number of sensible ideas" in the report. | Richard Dodd, from the British Retail Consortium (BRC), said there were a "good number of sensible ideas" in the report. |
He said: "Clearly a national market day is never going to be the sole solution but alongside a range of other measures it could make a useful contribution to generate interest and stimulate shop numbers, adding to the originality and distinctiveness of particular town centres." | He said: "Clearly a national market day is never going to be the sole solution but alongside a range of other measures it could make a useful contribution to generate interest and stimulate shop numbers, adding to the originality and distinctiveness of particular town centres." |
But the Local Government Association (LGA) said it was concerned that the local expertise of councils will get overlooked. | But the Local Government Association (LGA) said it was concerned that the local expertise of councils will get overlooked. |
Peter Box, chairman of its economy and transport committee, said: "Councils play a crucial role in growing local economies and improving High Streets and need to be suitably consulted if they are to achieve this. | Peter Box, chairman of its economy and transport committee, said: "Councils play a crucial role in growing local economies and improving High Streets and need to be suitably consulted if they are to achieve this. |
"We urge Mary Portas to enter discussions with councils on how they can boost local High Streets." | "We urge Mary Portas to enter discussions with councils on how they can boost local High Streets." |
'Not all in crisis' | 'Not all in crisis' |
This summer a report found that more than one in 10 town and city centre shops across the UK were vacant at the end of May. | This summer a report found that more than one in 10 town and city centre shops across the UK were vacant at the end of May. |
The BRC study found the average vacancy rate was 11.2%, rising to 17.1% in Northern Ireland, the worst affected nation or region. | The BRC study found the average vacancy rate was 11.2%, rising to 17.1% in Northern Ireland, the worst affected nation or region. |
According to a different report conducted by retail analysts the Local Data Company (LDC), and revealed in September, six English towns had a vacancy rate of between a quarter and third of all stores. | According to a different report conducted by retail analysts the Local Data Company (LDC), and revealed in September, six English towns had a vacancy rate of between a quarter and third of all stores. |
But Matthew Hopkinson of LDC pointed out that "not all High Streets are in crisis", with some town centres having low shop vacancy rates. | But Matthew Hopkinson of LDC pointed out that "not all High Streets are in crisis", with some town centres having low shop vacancy rates. |
However, he said that the development of new shopping channels during the past 10 years had caused problems for traditional town centre retailers. | However, he said that the development of new shopping channels during the past 10 years had caused problems for traditional town centre retailers. |
"Town centres have to be destinations now, they have to be more than just shopping," he added. | "Town centres have to be destinations now, they have to be more than just shopping," he added. |
Mr Hopkinson said this was where out of town centres were scoring over town centres, by offering leisure and entertainment as well as retailing. | Mr Hopkinson said this was where out of town centres were scoring over town centres, by offering leisure and entertainment as well as retailing. |