LGA launches 'life support' plan for dying high streets

摘要

The Local Government Association (LGA) has drawn up a five-point plan to revive the UK's moribund high street economies, after a poll revealed residents preferred independent shops - and not supermarket chains - on their doorstep. Smith Square has called for powers to take over empty shops in order to better coordinate local economic revivals, potentially by promoting independent businesses at the expense of chains. It follows publication of an LGA/ComRes poll last week, which revealed that 79% of local residents believed local producers - such as butchers and bakers - were critical to the future success of an area. In contrast, the poll revealed that local residents did not prioritise supermarket chains as key to local economic success - with just 47% of those polled viewing major national employers such as Tesco and Salisbury's as vital to their area. The LGA/ComRes poll also revealed that local people were keen to see a diversity of independent shops and facilities on their high streets - including post offices, libraries and dry cleaners.