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Mary Portas unveils report into High Street revival | |
(about 2 hours later) | |
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 the growth of online and out-of-town shopping has left many areas "dying". | |
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 rules | Relaxing rules |
"The model of the High Street is so outdated," Ms Portas told the BBC.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." | |
Her report recommends 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. | |
A national market day aimed at promoting indoor or outdoor markets and helping drive traffic towards shops is another proposal. | |
But Ms Portas decided against a moratorium on out-of-town shopping developments - an idea championed by some business groups. | |
'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." | |
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. | |
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. | |
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. | |
The government will publish its reponse to Ms Portas' proposals in early 2012. |