1-in-12 shops in Lynn lying empty
ONE in 12 shops in Lynn is now lying empty, according to a new report.
The Liberal Democrats' Vibrant Local High Streets document said Lynn lay ninth worst out of the 15 towns and cities surveyed in the East of England.
William Summers, parliamentary spokesman for North West Norfolk Liberal Democrats, said: "Lynn and Hunstanton have been hit hard like other parts of the country.
"These new figures tell me that small businesses in West Norfolk need more support to make sure they not only survive now but are also able to grow as the economy recovers."
The report said they would support smaller businesses by improving business rates and cutting red tape, as well as expanding the Post Office.
Mr Summers also criticised the borough council's decision to hike up the price of car parking in Lynn and Hunstanton from April, which was reported in the Lynn News last month.
He believed it was important to make sure independent retailers were "taken into account" when large developments apply for planning permission. He warned: "You end up with chain high streets.
"I would say at the time when local businesses are trying to recover from the recession it is not the time to be hiking parking charges by ten per cent and putting off business."
But Nick Daubney, leader of West Norfolk Council, defended the decision to increase parking fees. He said they were not "unreasonable" compared to the rest of the country and the council had made a "fair balance" in relation to the income between business rates and car parking.
He told the Lynn News: "The idea of doom and gloom all the time is a bit of a self fulfilling prophecy. I'd like Lynn to be a bit more buoyant but it has done very well during the recession. Last year we worked hard with local businesses to see what could be done."
Councillor Andy Tyler, leader of the West Norfolk Labour group, said he agreed with some Lib Dem proposals, but added: "There is more that can be done."
WINNERS AND LOSERS ALONG HIGH STREET
THREE businesses in Lynn's town centre have either closed down, will close down or are in the process of being moved.
Value fashion store Ethel Austin, on New Conduit Street, will be closed along with 128 other stores, out of 276 nationwide.
The company went into administration on February 8 and was taken over by MCR.
The Lynn store will shut its doors for business but the final trading date is unknown. About 1,378 members of staff will lose their jobs nationwide.
Luke Derbyshire, of Spreckley Partners, said: "Discussions and
negotiations are taking place between interested parties." Dr China, which sold herbal medicines on the High Street, closed last month.
Zoe Deng, who works in customer services for Dr China, which has other stores across the country, confirmed: "There are no plans to reopen."
The Barclays bank branch, on the High Street, will close on Friday, March 5.
A spokesman for Barclays – which announced profits of 11.6 billion this weeks – said there would be no job losses because the business will merge with its other branch on Lynn's Tuesday Market Place.
However, there is brighter news for the town centre from specialist milkshake company ShakeAway, which has announced a new branch is scheduled to open opposite Westgate department store at the end of
March.
Co-founder rob Hazell said: "We chose to open a store in Lynn because when we visited the area we immediately felt the bustling and busy atmosphere was ideal for the business.
"The Vancouver Quarter is very professionally run and ShakeAway, the UK's largest milkshake chain, will operate perfectly alongside existing
shops."
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Weather for King's Lynn
Saturday 04 February 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: -2 C to 2 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: South
Tomorrow
Light sleet showers
Temperature: -2 C to 2 C
Wind Speed: 7 mph
Wind direction: South west
