Part of Oral Answers to Questions — Communities and Local Government – in the House of Commons am 2:30 pm ar 21 Ebrill 2009.
Celia Barlow
Llafur, Hove
2:30,
21 Ebrill 2009
I welcome the Secretary of State's comments on flexibility for the use of empty shops, but I am sure that she would agree that it is best that those shops should not be empty, and that support should be given to our local small businesses, cafés and restaurants. More than 100 constituents and local traders have contacted me, concerned that a large supermarket has shown an interest in opening up in a marvellous area of small shops in my constituency of Hove. Is she considering possible secondary legislation so that the impact on the community and small businesses of such developments can be taken into account in such cases?
Annotations
Martin Lawrence
Posted on 22 Ebr 2009 1:33 pm (Report this annotation)
The area in question, Portland Road in Hove, has many small shops that are currently vacant (7%)- this is despite the business rates relief that is available for small businesses.
Local planning restrictions have already prevented an Italian restaurant from obtaining planning consent to open. What this road needs is greater variety and higher footfall - something that a supermarket would almost undoubtedly bring - otherwise Portland Road will undoubtedly remain a secondary backwater shopping area. We need more flexible planning systems, not more restrictions!