New measures have been unveiled to support small businesses on the East of England’s high streets in a report by the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB).
The FSB’s The Future of the High Street calls for local authorities to create a specialised fund to support pop-ups, markets, and temporary use initiatives for first-time businesses to encourage new ventures and help them set up on the high street.
The report also suggests digital loyalty programmes and providing accessible public toilets among the recommendations aimed at local government.
A total of 39 per cent of high street small businesses across the UK say the availability of affordable commercial space is important for the future of an area.
The report, which features in-depth analysis following a survey of small businesses, also suggests a specialised fund to support a mobile phone-based loyalty programme for high street firms and launching community-specific online marketplaces to showcase local shops and services.
The research highlights the need for well-maintained and accessible modern public toilets and family-friendly services like creche facilities, encouraging visitors to stay longer, upping footfall and supporting local economies.
Candy Richards, FSB development manager for the East of England, said: “It’s important that small firms across the East of England are provided with the right environment, infrastructure and flexibility to be successful – and in turn help grow their local economy.
“From the core high street issues of business rates, parking and transport to more innovative asks, this report sets out a raft of recommendations to try to revive our town and city centres and ensure our small businesses are well supported.
“Local authorities can play a pivotal role in improving the experience of a high street, encouraging more people to visit, shop and invest there, and we look forward to working closely with them.
“Our high streets have been through many changes and will continue to evolve – and that’s why it’s so important that the small businesses at their heart are well-equipped for the future.”
The survey found local businesses in the East of England saw a range of closures on their local high street since the beginning of the pandemic, including retail stores, hospitality, banks, post offices and entertainment venues.
The report calls for a band of on-site high street bosses, responsible for the growth and wellbeing of high streets across the country, to create promotion plans and monitor vacant units in their areas. They would work with local businesses, landlords, BID managers and community groups to help encourage growth, as well as lead a ‘vacancy taskforce’, monitoring commercial properties.
Business rates remain a huge burden. The research found 26 per cent of high street small businesses in the East of England say they would not survive without Small Business Rates Relief (SBRR). The FSB says the SBRR threshold should be increased from £12,000 of rateable value to £25,000.
Fifty-four per cent of small businesses in the East of England say good transport links are important and the report calls for a ‘high street hop’ scheme providing free bus fares on key routes during peak shopping days to help increase footfall and support local businesses.
Parking was another bugbear with 52 per cent of high street small businesses in the East of England saying parking is managed poorly on their local high street.
The FSB says offering free parking on at least two Saturdays, plus two additional days a month, would increase footfall and support local businesses by making high streets more accessible.
Image: Wikimedia Commons: Evelyn Simak / Pillar box by the King Street/York Road junction (Great Yarmouth).
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