ACS

The latest attempt to protect Britain’s high streets are set to fail, warns new research commissioned by ACS. The research, conducted by the University of Stirling, suggests that high streets are becoming less diverse at the expense of supermarket developments, and that variety in town centres is taking a back seat in planning considerations.

The new planning policy statement (PPS4) published in December was heralded by Ministers as a toughening of high street protections and achieving a diverse mix of large, small and specialist shops was identified as a key objective.

However, environmental groups and organisations representing local shops and town centres are warning that the policy threatens diversity.

In a separate nationwide poll commissioned by ACS, 1 in 5 people believe that they have a poor choice of shops in their local high street, and over 50% of people were found to believe that there are not enough regional or local independent stores in their community.

ACS Chief Executive James Lowman said: "Local, independent shops help to give a community a real sense of identity. Our research shows that people feel that towns across the country are losing their identity and they want reassurances that something will be done about it. The policy will be implemented at a time when there has been severe pressure on high streets across the country.”

"The Stirling study exposes the weaknesses in current understanding of what retail diversity is, and the lack of practical tools for promoting and protecting the retail mix that makes high streets strong and differentiates one place from the next.

"This study raises understanding of the challenges in measuring, promoting and protecting diversity and challenges Ministers to give practical leadership to Councils.”

ACS unveiled the research on the eve of a major conference on high street planning and is communicating with councils to help them to put in place effective retail diversity policies at the local level.

Friends of The Earth Food and Farming Campaigner Helen Rimmer said: “Time and again the Government has refused to protect the high street - and time is now running out. The Government and councils must act now to protect local shops and choice in communities across the country.”

Case Studies

Stalham, North Norfolk

Poorly planned supermarkets can have devastating effect. For example Stalham, North Norfolk has seen most of its high street close its doors. Stalham councillor Candy Sheridan said: "There were 70 good businesses in the town when they opened but it has become a ghost town. All that made Stalham different is slipping away."

Independent trader Nigel Dowdney said: “I’m still standing, but I have seen my fellow high street stores close their doors one after the other in the past few years. The cause is the Tesco store and to add insult to injury Tesco have applied to double its size, justifying this because of the further decline they caused.”

Sheringham, North Norfolk

In some cases, the town has prevailed against planning applications from supermarkets. Sheringham town centre is a thriving town centre centred around a traditional high street and a range of privately owned shops.

In recent years, Tesco have made several planning applications to build stores in the area, all of which have been denied. The most recent application was blocked by Sheringham Town Council in a 10-3 vote to keep Tesco out and retain the viability of the high street, although the supermarket is currently making another attempt to build in the town.

Current applications to move or build superstores in Haddington, Barnstaple and Salford amongst others are also feared to be potentially massively damaging to diverse high streets, and could force hundreds of businesses to close.

East Lothian Courier – Hundreds Say No to Tesco: http://www.eastlothiancourier.com/news/haddington/articles/2009/12/24/395388-hundreds-say-no-to-tesco/  

Devon 24 - MP urges caution over Barnstaple Tesco plan: http://www.devon24.co.uk/northdevongazette/news/story.aspx?brand=NDGOnline&category=news&tBrand=devon24&tCategory=newsndga&itemid=DEED12%20Jan%202010%2011%3A03%3A21%3A567  

Manchester Evening News – Closure fear over Tesco plan: http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/s/1124557_closure_fear_over_tesco_plan  

Tescopoly – Details on Local Campaigns http://www.tescopoly.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=213&Itemid=103

Contacts:

Shane Brennan – Public Affairs Director
01252 533009 / 07921372978

Chris Noice – Communications Co-ordinator
01252 533013

Notes:

1. ACS (Association of Convenience Stores) is the voice of local shops, representing over 33,500 convenience stores. ACS helps local shops thrive through lobbying, support and networking opportunities.

2. The report ‘Retail Diversity’ by the University of Stirling will be published by the Association of Convenience Stores on Monday 1st February 2010 and will be available to download from www.acs.org.uk  

3. Government Policy Planning Policy Statement 4 was published on the 30th December 2009 and can be viewed at http://www.communities.gov.uk/documents/planningandbuilding/pdf/planningpolicystatement4.pdf