Swaffham: Cheap shop rents not the answer
Last week, among the letters to the editor, I saw that W.L. Rogers wrote suggesting that, perhaps, those who owned the shops in Swaffham were charging too much rent and this is why so many shops have closed.
He offered two solutions; either having the one of the local councils pass an order to force lower rents on landlords or the compulsory purchase of property, so that it could then be offered at lower rents.
Last week I was talking about much the same subject – the need to use local shops to keep them open. Mr Rogers (I assume it is a "Mr") and I agree. We both find the very depressed look that any town takes on when there are many empty shops very unattractive.
I would love to come up with an instant solution but, appealing as it first seems, I don't think offering cheaper rents to a handful of businesses is the answer.
As a councillor, how would you defend providing cheap rents to failing shops when the neighbouring shop still has to repay the fixed interest loan it had to buy its shop?
Can you defend subsidies for fireworks and videos? Aren't fireworks dangerous? Taxes to pay for watching TV when people clamour for a swimming pool? Who'd vote for subsidies for estate agents?
The truth is times are changing and the shops that have failed were either not meeting customers needs or were part of larger chains with more fundamental problems.
Business is doing what it can, where it sees an opportunity, while the councils are planning for the longer term future, and that's the right way round. For example, Iceland is to take on the old Woolworth's store.
True, another food store, with only local appeal, is less helpful to the other local traders than one that would bring more outsiders into the town, but it does fill the unit and does provide employment.
The councils have discussed compulsory purchase of Plowright Place, as part of a process to revitalise that area of town, not to support failing shops. Hopefully, the scheme will provide the scope for the larger store that will attract more outsiders to the town.
After seeing my new year's resolutions a couple of weeks back, the nice people at Age Concern invited me along to a party they are having.
I say nice because there was no suggestion that they thought me a grumpy old man and worthy of some concern.
Just to remind you, I said: "I resolve to visit more of Swaffham's clubs, societies, groups and sporting organisations and write positively about them", adding: "Feel free to invite me along to see your group at work or enjoying yourselves or just to meet some of your members or clients."
Please e-mail me at swaffhamturbine@gmail.com
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Sunday 12 February 2012
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