Justin Tomlinson MP with Swindon retailers at a Retail Forum earlier in the year
With the recent publication of the Mary Portas High Street Review, Justin Tomlinson MP joined figures from Swindon’s retail, business and tourism sectors at a meeting of the Retail and Visitors Committee, hosted by GWE Business West.
The Committee was established to pull together these different sectors in Swindon to discuss the direction and future of the Town and to consider ways to promote it, attracting businesses, retailers and visitors.
With UK internet sales hitting 10%, the UK’s internet market is one of the fastest growing in the world, presenting a serious challenge to High Street retailers. Discussion focused on the content of the Mary Portas High Street Review and how her recommendations may help Swindon face this challenge.
Justin Tomlinson MP discussed the question of an internet transaction tax, following on from the Government’s action in closing the Jersey tax loophole that online retailers exploited to undercut High Street CD and DVD retailers, a move he supported. He also raised the idea of getting budding student entrepreneurs from Swindon’s schools and colleges into empty shops in the town to give them a taste of setting up and running a business.
With some areas of the town up 44% on retail sales last year, the meeting drew positive conclusions about Swindon’s prospects, generating a number of ideas about attracting retail and visitors and promoting the Town’s heritage to take forward.
Justin Tomlinson MP said “I welcome every opportunity to get the key people in retail and business around a table to discuss how we can secure the future of our Town. Today saw a number of exciting and interesting ideas about how we can improve and promote Swindon both to retailers and visitors as well as how we as a Town can benefit from the recommendations of the Mary Portas Review. I look forward raising these ideas and championing Swindon when MPs have the chance to discuss the Review in a Parliamentary debate on Tuesday.”
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