It's certainly an extensive report, but it might have been useful to have a broader range of political views than from an entirely Conservative team. Some of the issues raised seem to be long standing commercial realities. We'd all like lower rents and to pay no rates, but that's not going to be possible without major government intervention, and anyone starting a business must know the costs involved. I know that doesn't sound very helpful, but these factors must apply to small High Street businesses across the country. The rent issue puzzles me, for if the rents are 'too high' and businesses close or move, the commercial landlords will have no income. So is there some advantage to keeping their rents high and their premises empty? In case anyone's interested, the 2019 Labour Manifesto had this to say on the subject:'Our high streets are being decimated by store closures and jobs losses. High streets are more than places to shop, they are places we go for culture, company and character. We will revive high streets by stopping bank branch closures, banning ATM charges and giving local government new powers to put empty shops to good use. Business rates are causing real issues for high-street retailers and others. A Labour government will review the option of a land value tax on commercial landlords... and develop a retail sector industrial strategy... We will stop Crown Post Office closures and bring Royal Mail back into public ownership at the earliest opportunity.'
Peter Evans ● 2302d