ACS

Lembit Öpik, the Liberal Democrat Shadow Minster for Housing, is visited a local shop in his constituency on Friday 11 July to highlight the importance of town centre first planning policy. Mr Öpik met with Owen Davies a SPAR retailer and Shane Brennan of ACS during his visit to the store in Welshpool.

Currently ‘town centre first planning policy’ states Government’s commitment to developing vibrant and diverse town centres. However reforms on the horizon could lead to it being much weakened and potentially result in the closure of independent and small shops in high streets across the country.

On his visit Mr Öpik, MP for Montgomeryshire, said: “Local shops such as SPAR play a vital role in communities and are crucial for many of the most vulnerable sections of society. At this uncertain time policy needs to be put in place to ensure the future of local shops and of diverse high streets.”

Mr Öpik continued: “As a supporter of local shops I oppose any policy changes that may put local shops, businesses and traditional town centres, such as in Welshpool, in jeopardy. This is why I will challenge any changes to planning policy that may weaken a town centre first approach.”

Owen Davies, regional manager for SPAR said: “It has been great to meet with Mr Öpik today, to be able to show him around our store and discuss with him the issues that are affecting SPAR and all local shops across the country. We look forward to continuing to work with him in the future.“

ACS Public Affairs Director, Shane Brennan, said: “The SPAR Store in Welshpool is a typical member of ACS. ACS represents over 33,000 local shops many of which face an unsure future and need to be protected by a robust planning system. Mr Öpik coming to visit Welshpool’s SPAR store today gives us a vital opportunity to discuss local shop issues with him and it is fantastic that Mr Öpik is championing the voice of local shops by campaigning for the survival of diverse high streets.”