Brentford on BBC London News

How to boost High Street shopping

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Brentford Chamber of Commerce



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Suzie Betlem, President of Brentford Chamber of Commerce and Andrew Dakers, Chair of Brentford High Street Steering Group were interviewed for BBC London News.

Brentford High Street made a brief appearance on the lunchtime and evening news on the BBC.

They were asked for their comments on emergency measures announced last weekby the London Assembly to tackle empty shops in the high streets of London.

Suzie and Andrew made the following key points:

-  Parking needs to be free for an hour so customers can stop and shop – this will give independent traders a level playing field with Tescos and Westfield;

-  Start-up retail businesses should get 100% relief from rent and business rates for two years so they have the funds to invest in the early days of their business.  This will benefit landlords/the Treasury in the longer term as they will have successful, well capitalised businesses paying them rent and rates; and

-  The regeneration of the high street will accelerate when the developers Ballymore start listening to the local community who want a scheme to proceed that is of a sensible scale and architectural aesthetic that has soul, fully reflecting the waterside heritage.

March 22, 2013

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