The Federation of Small Business (FSB) has issued an enthusiastic reception to a new report on the future of Britain’s high streets released this week by retail guru Mary Portas.
The review urged central and local government to take action to safeguard town centre retail, which has come under intense pressure from out-of-town complexes in recent years. She suggested that any future proposals for out-of-town schemes should be reviewed by the secretary of state.
“We need councils to do some long-term thinking about the benefits of creating resilient and sustainable high streets and town centres,” said FSB national chairman John Walker. “There has been a notable shift towards out of town retail developments in the last 10 years. If no action is taken, the trend is set to continue.”
Mr Walker welcomed Ms Portas’ recommendation that the business rates system should be reviewed to benefit smaller retailers, but noted that councils already have some powers to help small businesses and had so far largely failed to use them.
British Retail Consortium director general Stephen Robertson was similarly upbeat about the report and said it was essential for town centres to evolve in order to meet consumers’ needs.
