Colchester MP calls on Government to help reduce number of empty shops
April 24, 2009 12:00 AM
Colchester MP Bob Russell has Tabled a Parliamentary Motion calling on the Government to take urgent steps to tackle the growing number of empty shops in town centres and neighbourhood parades.
His Motion (number 1098) reads as follows:
EMPTY SHOPS
That this House notes with grave concern the increase in empty shops in traditional town centres and neighbourhood centres; calls on the Government as a matter of urgency to consider a range of options to halt further closures and assist in the restoration to retail use of closed premises; specifically urges that value added tax for refurbishment works on retail premises should be reduced from 15 per cent. to five per cent., that next month's proposed five per cent. business rates increase should be frozen and that upward rent review clauses which automatically allowed rents to rise should be scrapped; and further urges that planning, financial and parking policies which discriminate in favour of out-of-town shopping centres should be reviewed so that there is a level playing field with traditional town centres and neighbourhood shopping centres.
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