Public Sector Tue, Mar 22, 2016 5:19 PM
The British Property Federation has told an influential committee of MPs that in order for high streets to survive they need to contract and empty units be converted into other uses, such as residential and even community facilities like doctors and dentists surgeries.
Giving evidence at the Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) inquiry into the retail sector chief executive of the British Property Federation Liz Peace also highlighted the damaging impact of business rates - both to retailers and landlords in the form of empty property rates – in driving money away from where it was most needed to help maintain and regenerate high streets.
Peace said: “The 20th century saw a rapid expansion of high streets that simply cannot be supported today. Even putting aside the current economic troubles, there’s less demand for high street retail and we’re likely to witness further contractions, particularly outside the retail core.
“Facilitating this shrinkage while finding alternative uses for properties that clearly have no retail future is where the focus should be. And the solution isn’t necessarily retail; there are other uses, like doctors and dentists surgeries as well as residential that could occupy these buildings and drive football.
“With business rates in most parts of the country increasing far more rapidly than rents, and by over 200% since 1991, the burden to both retailers and landlords continues to increase.
“In terms of the bigger picture it needs to be considered whether a tax that exaggerates the advantages of internet retailers over the high street is fair at all.”
Featured News
Developed specifically for the UK market, Reynaers Aluminium has launched its...
Zoo Hardware, one of the UK’s fastest-growing suppliers of door hardware, has added...
BUILDING PRODUCT LIBRARY - LATEST BROCHURES
FRAMESAFE FR A2 FIRE...
By Glidevale Protect
A Guide to Aluminium...
By F.H. Brundle
Handrailing & Balust...
By F.H. Brundle
RLG600 Access Floori...
By Kingspan Data & Floo...
RHG600 Simploc
By Kingspan Data & Floo...
BUILDING PRODUCT DIRECTORY - LATEST PRODUCTS
Straightcurve® – headquartered in Australia, is renowned for high-end innovative garden edging,...
The Kingspan RLG600 raised access floor panel is intended for light office use and is capable of...
Kingspan RHG600 Simploc is the heavy grade floor system, capable of handling up to a 12kN/m2...
CONSTRUCTION VIDEOS - LATEST VIDEOS
Straightcurve® Product Range Overview - A Demonstration of Installation Ease
In progressive and dynamic business sectors, such as construction, it’s natural to be forward...
Decorative aluminium horizontal bulkheads more than 100 metres long have been supplied and installed...