Retailers being squeezed by increased rates - Footwear Today wants your opinion on the Portas report

Published: 13 December, 2011

“Retailers are being squeezed by increased rates and reduced traffic, and something needs to be done to help our high streets,” warns Rupert Eastell, Head of Retail at Baker Tilly. “The Portas report provides a call to action at a critical time. Regardless of whether you love her or hate her, Mary Portas’ report should stimulate debate about the future of the British high street and if it leads to just one high street making changes for the better, it will be a success.

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"Portas makes sensible and deliverable recommendations in her report, but change is not down to her. If anything, it is clear that councils, community partnerships, local chambers of commerce and businesses must work together, take an honest look at their local high street, and make the tough decisions about the changes necessary for positive momentum.

"High streets have not adapted to out of town shopping centres quickly or efficiently enough and are suffering due to increased competition from large retailers who can beat them on price, if not on ambience and customer experience. A certain level of social entrepreneurship will be necessary to reinvigorate our high streets. For example, many communities have regeneration or community cohesion programmes in place. Surely, if economic regeneration can be incorporated into these programmes, the combined profit motive will create safe and pleasant town centres, where local residents will look forward to spending time and money.”

If you are an independent footwear retailer, Cheryl Taylor, Editor at Footwear Today, would like to know your opinion on the Portas report. Please email: ctaylor@datateam.co.uk

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