When Napoleon supposedly called the British a Nation of shopkeepers, it was a compliment suggesting we were a nation deriving our greatness from commercial activity in every town in the Kingdom.
Consider names such as Claires Accessories, Poundland, Wilko, TGI Fridays, River Island, Carpetright, Ted Baker, Body Shop, Debenhams, Top Shop, Miss Selfridge, Monsoon, Accessorize, Laura Ashley, Cath Kidson that have all disappeared from our high streets in recent years.
The reasons are many and obvious: Internet Shopping and technological revolution, mobile communication and increased costs including energy, taxation and labour. The facts are simple; the high street cannot be saved or regenerated. Rather the high streets of old must evolve into centres for the community that reflects the needs of our society.
Our high streets are rapidly becoming centres of excellence for vaping. As shops move out they should be redeveloped into doctors surgeries and medical centres. How many pharmacies have we lost to be replaced with yet another barbers? Empty and boarded up shops are magnets for crime and antisocial behaviour and lead the downward spiral of decline.
What have our Council done in response to his? In Havant, since the Tories lost control of Havant Council, they have demolished the Bulbeck Road Car park and consistently raised parking charges which as a medicinal compound is as effective as bleeding the patient of the last of his vigour. Why should shoppers pay to park to use shops in town centres when they don’t have to in retail parks?
One of our greatest natural assets in Havant is our seafront. Once again massive increases in parking charges have been introduced to balance the budget rather than benefit our residents.
To get people back into town centres and to the beaches and refill empty commercial units residents of the borough should be given free parking not treated as cash cows to be bled to supplement council tax.