Vibrant local High Streets

12.00.00pm GMT Sat 20th Feb 2010

The issue of empty shops, & the kind of shops that remain, on our high streets has considerable resonance in the Fylde. The Liberal Democrat policy document 'Vibrant Local High Streets' was launched by Nick Clegg and Ed Fordham, (PPC for Hampstead and Kilburn), last week. Core proposals include: encourage the development of a PostBank and freeing the Post Office from the Royal Mail to enable it to develop new business; introducing a local competition test for all planning applications for new retail developments to establish a fairer balance between local independent stores and large supermarkets and establishing a system of Local Enterprise Funds and regional stock exchanges to ensure small businesses get access to cost effective equity that meets their needs. Commenting, Nick Clegg said: "Thriving high streets are at the heart of local communities, but it has been our high streets that have borne the brunt of this recession, with boarded up shops scarring towns and villages across Britain. Ministers have overseen the rapid decline of the post office network leading to even fewer people visiting the local shops. The Government has tilted the planning system in favour of the haphazard expansion of ubiquitous supermarkets at the expense of hard-pressed independent stores. The Liberal Democrats understand that it will be small businesses that are key to building a healthy and balanced economy."