Lib Dems fight for small shops

3.13.26pm GMT Mon 14th Feb 2005

The fight of the small trader against the High Street take-over by large chain stores such as Tesco has been taken up by Lib Dem MPs.

Brighton & Hove has seen a prolification of new Tesco Stores, which is causing concern over damaging local community traders in areas such as George Street in Hove.

In response to the dramatic collapse in the number of small community retailers, Liberal Democrat Small Business Spokesman Brian Cotter MP introduced a Bill in the House of Commons to protect the future of small local shops in his constituency and elsewhere.

Commenting, Brian Cotter said: 'Small shops are the very life blood of our community, providing job opportunities and vital services to local people, particularly those without transport, such as the elderly and the disabled.

'Labour has presided over a dramatic collapse in the number of small shops since 1997, with many local shopping parades literally becoming ghost towns as independent retailers are strangled by increasing amounts of red tape and crushed by the disproportionate burden of business rates.

'It is vital that we act now to save our small retailers from having to permanently shut up shop.'

Lib Dem City Council Group Leader, Paul Elgood said: ¡¥Local traders such as those in Brunswick, which I represent, are the lifeblood of our community. They really struggle to compete against the larger national stores with their bulk buying power. This would level the playing field somewhat and help give all traders a chance.

'Over the last year the expansion of Tesco in the City has been prolific. This does come at a cost to the local traders who just cannot compete.'

The Small Shops (Protection) Bill would create a more level playing field for independent retailers by:

• Requiring local authorities to develop sustainable retail plans to support small shops.

• Giving local communities the final word on whether to allow the construction of a large shopping centre exceeding a certain size.

• Requiring local authorities to track local spending and favour local retailers whose businesses leave more money re-circulating in the local economy.

• Providing rate relief to small shops to redress the disproportionate burden that business rates place upon them, whereby the smallest retailers can currently pay more of their profits in rates than the largest supermarket chains.

Due to the lack of Parliamentary time, the Bill stands little chance of succeeding.