18/01/12….MPs must consider role of high street in ‘widest sense’

ACTION for Market Towns, the national charity representing market and small towns across the UK, yesterday welcomed the Parliamentary debate on the future of the high street and town centres and the findings of the Portas review.

The charity issued a briefing note for MPs last week, showcasing progress already made against many of the review’s recommendations.

Alison Eardley, Policy Manager for Action for Market Towns, said: “Action for Market Towns has welcomed the Portas Review which has served to bring the changing role of high streets across the country to the attention of all. This is especially important at a time when retailers – both independents and national chains – continue to struggle. The recommendations proposed by the Review make much sense and there is a range of good work that is already taking place across the country that we’d encourage the Government to explore when considering its response.

“We would also urge the Government to remember that the future of the high street goes beyond retail and this review presents an opportunity to explore how a range of uses, for example health, education and learning, and housing, might have a role in healthy high streets – as demonstrated by so many of our member towns.

“Given the plethora of Government departments and their different interests and levels of involvement in the high street, the challenge will be for an integrated policy on high street development to be adopted which places local people and businesses at the core.”