Latest news with #towncentres
BBC News
26-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Council shelves proposed parking charge rises around Coalville
Plans to increase parking charges in and around Coalville and Ashby have been West Leicestershire District Council had been looking at increasing fees at the car parks it the authority has confirmed it will freeze rates based on feedback from 4,500 residents and businesses received during a consultation held earlier this month."We recognise that it's a tough time for our town centres," said deputy council leader Michael Wyatt. The authority said it had launched a review of charges to try to cut the amount it spends subsidising parking because its income from car parks is outstripped by the cost of running them. Wyatt said: "Throughout the course of the car parking review, we've reflected on what people have told us. "We have also done a lot of engagement with partners and businesses in the district, who are understandably concerned about the current economic climate and ongoing pressures on the high street."While we do need to balance the running costs of our car parks, we also understand that they must be priced competitively to encourage people to continue to visit and work in our town centres."Therefore, we've decided that our car parking fees and charges will remain as they are for the foreseeable future."
Daily Mail
25-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
Frasers boss calls for 'bold' reforms to save ailing High Street
Frasers Group's boss has called for 'bold' business rates reform to save the 'dying' High Street. Michael Murray called on the Government to slash the levy, which is paid based on the value of a commercial property. 'Town centres are dying, the system is broken and physical retail is being priced out of high streets,' Murray said. 'Retailers need radical reform, not more red tape.' The Government must seize a 'golden chance' to 'give retailers a reason to return to town centres' by easing the burden, he added. Bricks-and-mortar retailers claim they suffer an unfair business rates burden compared with online giants such as Amazon. But many warn Labour's plan to address the issue – by hitting larger commercial properties with higher taxes – will backfire. Tesco, Sainsbury's and the Co-op, as well as Frasers, have said this risks large retailers abandoning shops.
BBC News
15-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
'Scruffy' shops to be tackled across Erewash towns
Erewash Borough Council says it is launching a "blitz" on run down shops which "blight" Ilkeston and Long Eaton town Derbyshire authority said teams were inspecting shopping streets to identify "scruffy or neglected" empty and trading units could face action, warned the council, which said while it will work with owners it can also "compel" repairs to orders have already been issued to unnamed property owners in Long Eaton, the authority said. Curtis Howard, councillor for town centres, regeneration and planning, said legal notices could be served on buildings in a poor don't want to do that but we have a duty to act on behalf of residents where buildings have become an eyesore that blight the town centre," he said. 'Take action' The action follows government-funded schemes in Long Eaton including town centre work to build a new square along High Street, added seating and green spaces, additional parking and a trail in tribute to artist Dame Laura in Long Eaton also includes a scheme to build a new canal bridge, and the demolition of the former Galaxy Cinema to make way for new shops and Ilkeston, the council said it was working with the owner of the former Argos in Bath Street to secure funding to convert the site into two retail units and 11 said: "One of the priorities is to take action to improve our town centres."That includes ensuring that the best use is made of the opportunities for new businesses to move in – while encouraging property owners to maintain their buildings."
