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Mary Portas to unveil report into High Street revival Mary Portas unveils report into High Street revival
(about 2 hours 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. A report into how to revive the High Street by retail expert Mary Portas recommends getting town centres to run more like businesses.
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 the growth of online and out-of-town shopping has left many areas "dying".
She is expected to suggest cutting regulations for High Street traders and plans for a national market day. She outlines plans for cutting regulations for High Street traders and the launch of 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 rulesRelaxing rules
"There are 28 recommendations," Ms Portas told the BBC. "The model of the High Street is so outdated," Ms Portas told the BBC. "It is working in the same way that it did in the 1960s, but the 1960s are no longer here."
"The model of the High Street is so outdated.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 recommends 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. Ms Portas wants some regulations to 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 proposal.
A national market day aimed at promoting indoor or outdoor markets and helping drive traffic towards shops is another expected idea. But Ms Portas 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."
'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.
The government will publish its reponse to Ms Portas' proposals in early 2012.