Justin Tomlinson MP today championed Swindon Town Centre and the positive outlook for the Town in a speech on the future of our High Streets. The parliamentary debate was called following the publication of the Mary Portas High Street Review to debate and discuss the future of Britain's town centres and high streets.
Justin spoke about the challenges facing high streets up and down the country and acknowledged that Swindon is not immune.
"Nationally, the last few years have been tough on high streets, with consumers wielding less disposable income, high-profile retail failures leading to large numbers of empty shops, the growth of out-of-town shopping centres and the continued boom in online shopping. For example, this December saw an 18% increase on last December in such shopping, and one in 10 consumers now uses their phone in-store to check the price of goods elsewhere.
"I must say that even Swindon has had challenges. Over the past five years, there has been a 22% fall in footfall, and the number of empty units is up to 17%, but there is much hope on the horizon."
Justin went on to highlight why Swindon has much to be positive about, even in difficult times, raising town centre regeneration, the success of the Council's cut in parking charges and the crucial role Forward Swindon can play.
"I am a great supporter of the Mary Portas Review, especially her recommendation of the need for a town team. We have the Forward Swindon company in Swindon, because developers and retailers want a single point of contact. Out-of-town shopping centres have a single point of contact, and that is what is needed on our high streets. It is important to empower bid schemes, which are essential for creating events, for marketing and for representing traders—for creating that reason to visit and for making the particular town a town centre. I wish the company in Swindon all the best in the referendum to get a second five-year term. I am sure it will.
"It is right to highlight the need for town centres to be accessible, attractive and safe, and I was delighted to see the £20 million parade redevelopment in Swindon, and that the council has invested £2.8 million in the public, open space in the town centre.
"Parking has been mentioned several times, and I am delighted that Swindon has been praised in the Portas review, because its local council took a brave decision—opposed by Labour councillors who seemed hellbent on abandoning our town centre—to introduce a £2 flat fee for four hours’ parking. That reversed the fall in footfall, we had a 10% increase and, crucially, dwell time increased, too. In fact, one café reported a 30% increase in takings, so where, previously, people went into town just to do their banking, now they stop off in a café to refuel and, then, carry on to do some serious spending, which is a real boost for our local economy."
Most encouragingly Swindon is beginning to see a turnaround in its footfall and vacancy figures, good news that Justin raised in the Chamber.
"I am delighted that our Brunel shopping centre has reduced its vacancy rate to just 4%, partly on the back of cheaper parking and partly on the back of pushing landlords to make the units useful. Footfall in the Town had fallen by 22%, but following the reduction in car parking charges it has increased by 10%, and dwell time has increased significantly, benefiting local businesses."
You can read the full speech at theyworkforyou.com
You can watch the speech via Parliament TV
www.facebook.com/justintomlinsonmp
www.twitter.com/jtomlinsonmp