A government-backed report into the UK’s beleaguered high streets has recommended a national town centre clean-up day and local reviews of parking charges in an attempt to bolster trade at local shops. Retailers also called on the government to provide “real support” for the industry though wholesale plus size clothing suppliers reform of business rates – a tax levied on commercial properties – which many in the industry blame for handing an unfair advantage to online sellers. A 13-page report by an expert panel put together by the high streets minister, Jake Berry MP, in July and led by Sir John Timpson, the chair of the Timpson shoe-menders group, recommends a National High Street Perfect Day “one day in the year when every shopping street looks the best it possibly can”. It said this event should be locally led and funded. It adds that a £675m fund for an action plan for high streets and town centres announced in the budget could be used to improve transport links or to appoint a town centre “champion” for individual locations. It recommended that the government money should be matched by local funding from businesses and potentially councils. It said that a national taskforce to implement the action plan should take its lead from local communities, rather than coming up with a “one size fits all” solution but should share best practice and protocols to assess performance helping to build skills and wholesale baby onesies around the country. “No two towns are alike, and each has a unique culture and heritage. It should be up to the local community to come up with their proposed solutions. Successful change is created by local communities who have a vision for their high street and town centre. This is usually driven by inspirational local leaders,” the report says. The recommendations also back the government’s plans, also announced in the budget, to pilot a register of empty properties in selected local authorities that could facilitate use by community groups looking for space. The report adds: “In the short term, local authorities should review their parking provision to make sure that existing restrictions and charges are working to support accessibility to local businesses, encouraging footfall and attracting customers to town centres and high streets.” Tom Ironside, the director of business and regulation at the British Retail Consortium, the trade body for retailers, welcomed the report as“recognition of the need to support our commercial areas as they work to ensure that they remain relevant and commercially vibrant in the future.” He added: “At the same time, it is essential that the government takes additional robust steps to provide real support to struggling high streets. Most importantly, wholesale reform of business rates is needed for our towns and high streets in order to thrive. The issue remains that the business rates burden is simply too high and disproportionately impacts the retail industry.” Mike Cherry, the national chair of the Federation of Small Businesses, which represents thousands of independent retailers, added: “We now need to start seeing solid details of how businesses can access these much-needed rate relief funds. “Business rates are a huge burden on small firms, with the overall bill expected to rise to over £30bn next year, so it’s right that this extra funding has been pledged. But to have an impact, it needs to reach those that need it across the country, applying immediately to bills that cover the period from 1 April next year.”
