Efforts to revitalise high streets must be credible: a statement from our Chief Executive

Dee Corsi, Chief Executive, New West End Company, said:

“Today, both the Conservative and Labour parties outlined their intention to revitalise our high streets, primarily by taking a tougher stance on retail crime.”

“We know that, whether they are international flagship destinations like the West End, or local shopping districts, high streets play a vital role in delivering economic value and creating communities.”

“The acknowledgement of this by the current Government, who intend to make assaulting a retail worker a standalone offence, and the Opposition, who have promised to deliver more police onto our streets to tackle anti-social behaviour and shoplifting, in addition to reforming business rates, is encouraging.”

“Nonetheless, any measures to support our high streets and the retail sector must be developed in close consultation with the business community to ensure that they are not yet another sticking plaster. For larger retail businesses, who must not only deal with retail crime, but an unwieldly business rates system and an outsized tax burden, credible progress is imperative.”

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