Something needs to be done about our town centre

I’ve been trying to come up with ways of helping struggling independents on the nation’s declining high streets.

Out of town shopping has become successful because the big stores offer free parking. More car ownership therefore is great news for the major stores – but is lethal for the environment – and does little for the elderly and less mobile.

It’s even possible that the stores situated on out-of-town malls pay lower rents pro rata than town centre shops – and as business rates are based on rental values I’m guessing that could mean lower business rates for the multiples.

Now the huge out- and edge-of-town shops only pay business rates on their buildings but I maintain their car parks are an integral part of their business and should be treated so by rating authorities. So instead of just rating their buildings, rate their car parks as well. If a number of retailers share a private car park then split the ‘benefit’ incrementally.

I’ve been saying for years that the biggest losers in the demise of town centres aren’t just the small business owners, but the elderly and less mobile members of our community. Many of them are wholly reliant on public transport – useless if you’re doing a large shop. This means the loss of essential town centre amenities has the greatest impact on the most vulnerable members of our society.

If the likes of Tesco, Sainsbury and John Lewis could be made to pay more, the extra revenues could be used to reduce business rates in struggling town centres. If that’s a problem then divert funds back to small retail businesses by some other method.

The supermarkets and mall owners of course will howl, and set loose their huge lobbying power on Westminster.

But if town centres are to remain an integral part of our communities, particularly for those with the greatest need, something drastic needs to be done – and soon.