Bideford Traders Raise Trading Concerns With Geoffrey Cox MP

Torridge and West Devon MP Geoffrey Cox brought together independent market town traders from within Torridge to

discuss their concerns and suggestions for improvements to the high

street.

The MP called the meeting as a result of local traders

contacting him over recent months and years to express their frustration

and dismay at the deterioration of the market town high street, and

general trading environment.

Representatives of trading groups from Torrington, Holsworthy and

Bideford were given the opportunity to raise issues of concern with the

MP, officers from Torridge District Council and Devon County Council,

and local Councillors. It was no surprise that parking was the main

concern of traders, who were keen to point out that market towns are

usually visited by customers who simply want to pop into town for a few

items and probably spend no longer than 30minutes to an hour in the

town. Therefore convenience of parking is essential to ensure these

customers are willing to come into the town.

Holsworthy traders and councillors were keen to raise concerns about

the number of charity shops within the town and their sale new goods in

competition with local shops. It was discussed that while charity shops

are better than empty shops, the proliferation of them does not always

create the most diverse shopping experience. Charity shops currently

receive an 80% business rate relief with a possible further 20% at the

discretion of the local council. Currently Torridge does not give the

20% relief to charity shops that declare they sell new goods, however it

was accepted that there is no official monitoring system in place for

this. The MP suggested that the Council may look into policy which could

form part of the “local development framework” to ensure that the ratio

of charity shops to other retail outlets is balanced within market

towns.

The condition of town centre buildings was the remaining issue on the

agenda, and traders were pleased to be informed by Torridge Council

that they had recently set up “The Tidy Town Scheme” whereby traders and

local residents can contact the Council to inform them of particularly

run-down areas or buildings within town centres, which would be added to

a ‘top priority’ list of areas to be improved.

Geoffrey Cox said “today’s meeting has been a step forward in making

policy changes that will be a direct reflection of traders' concerns and

will make a positive difference to their trading environment. Some

practical changes have been suggested, all of which I intend to follow

up. It is so important that our high street and town centres are not

simply allowed to lose their character and sense of place, which are so

vital to attracting shoppers, simply due to the bad use of planning”.

He continued “In 2008 I was part of a Commission into small shops in

the high street, which set out a series of suggestions that research

showed would help small shops to continue to thrive in our high streets.

Now that we are in government, I am determined to do whatever I can to

encourage implementation, where possible, of the suggestions put forward

in the Commission. It is time independent retailers received support

from government and local authorities, before it is too late”.

For further information, or if you are a local trader and would like

to pass on your concerns and suggestions for improvements to the high

street, please visit Geoffrey Cox’s website at www.geoffreycox.co.uk where you can contribute to the High Street Strategy Campaign and ensure your views are heard.