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It was with great interest that I studied the recent report from the Greater London Authority “Cornered shops; London’s small shops & the planning system”. There is nothing new about the problem it tackles, however judging by the level this issue has reached, there is some hope that at last something may change in relation to the status and future of smaller shops in Britain’s local communities.
The report builds on the work of the All Parliamentary Small Shops Group and makes recommendations to the Mayor of London who has already expressed his support for protecting the high street by securing affordable retail units for small independent shops.
The report argues that small shops have a wider social and economic role that is central to a sustainable neighbourhood, stressing that over 50% of the turnover of independent retailers goes back into the local community, compared to just 5% from supermarkets. They also meet the needs of the socially disadvantaged and elderly who cannot access more distant shops. Yet, smaller local shops keep disappearing from the high street not only as a result of the changes in shopping behaviour, as people increasingly use supermarkets for the majority of their needs, but also as a result of rising rents, the change of use of retail units and deficiencies in the local planning laws which don’t separate the ‘essential’ retail uses (such as grocers, barkers or butchers) from the leisure-related provision.
Importantly, the report recommends granting discretionary new powers to the local authorities so they are able to give greater protection to small shops that provide essential retail services to local communities, termed as ‘lifetime neighbourhoods.’
Let’s hope that these recommendations will start the ball rolling from London across the rest of the country. After all, the current economic climate is turning people’s attention to all things local.
Anna Ryland, Editor
