ACS

Lord Cotter (Lib Dem) introduced the Retail Development Bill into the House of Lords for its second reading.

Opening the debate Cotter stated: “Are we to wait to see our communities, our villages and our local neighbourhoods wither and die or can something be done about it?”

Stating the aims of the Bill, Cotter highlighted the need to “protect the future of small independent retailers… and to ensure that the local community has a real voice in the retail development of an area.”

He added that there was a need for “impact assessment” surveys when supermarkets applied for planning permission.

Concluding Lord Cotter stated: “It is undeniable that we need to address the issue of small shops and communities.” Adding, “It is easy to sidestep, but if firm policies are not followed, inertia will rule and we will see a continuing decline in our local shops at great cost to our communities.”

The Earl of Glasgow (Lib Dem) spoke on the positive impact local shops have on the community compared to supermarkets.

For the Conservative Party, Lord Dixon-Smith outlined the Conservative Party's reasoning for not supporting the Bill. He stated: “we cannot, must not and should not regulate customers.”

Responding for the government, Lord Bassam of Brighton agreed with Lord Cotter stating that there is a “need to do much more to revitalise our high street by encouraging more small retailers to open shops there and for those shops to be sustained.”

Outlining the government’s case, Bassam stated, “Our local high streets and town centres are crucial to creating sustainable communities.” He then praised local shops for adding variety and character to a high street. However he pointed out in terms of the Bill that the Government concluded additional legislation to promote small business was neither “necessary or desirable.”

He said that he could not see why local authorities could not develop their own retail plans.

Concluding his Lordship stated: “it is important to recognise that we already have a well established legislative and policy framework to enable the needs of the retail sector and small businesses to be addressed.”

James Lowman, ACS’ Chief Executive: “We welcome the discussion on the Bill, it shows how concerned both Houses of Parliament are about the future of local shopping. With such strength of opinion the Government and the Competition Commission can no longer ignore.”