Conservative councillor Mieka Smiles says urgent action is needed to help UK high streets. (Image: Getty)
Just like that, another iconic store in my town’s beleaguered high street has shut its doors for good. It’s not been an easy couple of years for my area’s once thriving town centre, with major retail outlets falling like dominoes.
The growing list of shops shutting in the heart of Middlesbrough is depressing: Debenhams, House of Fraser, Marks and Spencer, and, in the last few weeks, Next has joined them. Boots, which has been a presence in the town for as long as I can remember, is in the midst of “temporary closure” limbo.
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It’s heartbreaking and, of course, this ongoing disaster isn’t just unfolding in my town. It’s a hideous rot that’s destroying hundreds of our town centres.
So what can be done?
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Well, so far, Labour has delivered NOTHING. Their policy to save the Great British High Street is pathetic, with half-baked promises to “level the playing field” by reducing business rates for smaller retailers by taxing big warehouses more, set to start in 2026.
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Action is needed now. Instead, they’re doing their level best to twist the knife, with Rachel Reeves’ NIC death knell adding to the plight of desperate retailers as they drop like flies.
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This doesn’t just affect those who live in the midst of the decay. Residents in my area, who live on the outskirts of town, where I am a Conservative councillor, are just as concerned about the town centre’s crash. It's alarming to see our town centres look as if they're in the midst of a zombie apocalypse.
So what could a Government that actually cares be doing? As a councillor, I can see a few things that could give the high streets a much-needed reprieve.
Firstly? Councils need the green light to scrap car parking charges in town centres. At the moment, local authorities rely on these fees to subsidise essential services across the area. All the while, retail parks on the edge of towns are rubbing their hands together in glee as customers flock to their abundant, safe parking lots.
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Next - greatly reduce business rates for all high street stores. This must be done as a matter of urgency and not just those with rateable values under ￡500k, which is what's currently being considered. The major players need just as much help as they are often the big draws into town. Ask these big town centre stores to pass the discounts on to customers. There needs to be an impetus for people to be tempted back into the town centre and away from the ultra-convenient retail parks - discount days or nights could be an easy win.
Finally - and this is perhaps the single most important measure - beef up town centre policing. Get the cops to patrol the high street and tackle every theft. People need to feel safe, not like they’re risking their lives every time they want to pop to Next. At the moment, town centres are honeypots for lowlifes and thugs, which is making the retail parks seem like crime-free Shangri-Las.
So Keir, please take note. A few warm words simply won’t cut it. We need serious action now, before the Great British High Street is filed into the archives of history forever.
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