What is the state of Shropshire's high streets?
Shropshire shoppers, business leaders and councillors today defended the county's high streets after a national report claimed a triple whammy of high rates, spiralling rents and competition from big retailers are killing Britain's high streets.
Shropshire shoppers, business leaders and councillors today defended the county's high streets after a national report claimed a triple whammy of high rates, spiralling rents and competition from big retailers are killing Britain's high streets.
The report, sponsored by an internet company, found shabby shops, limited choice and high prices had caused less than half of Britons to feel proud of their local town centre.
It comes in the wake of a Government review announced in May and spearheaded by retail guru Mary Portas with the aim of breathing new life into Britain's ailing high streets.
Reaction to the findings in towns across Shropshire and Mid Wales has seen shoppers plus civic and business leaders largely defending the state of their high streets.
Councillor Charles Smith, Telford & Wrekin Council cabinet member for regeneration, housing and economic development, said: "We have a good town centre, there's a variety of shops there but we could do with more.
"Looking at the shoppers who get up there and the people that use it I would say more than half of the borough are happy with it, but we still want to improve it further."
Councillor Cynthia Hawksley, mayor of Oswestry, said: "While all market towns have problems, I am greatly encouraged by the interest in Oswestry."
Councillor Peter Nutting, chairman of Shrewsbury Town Council, said: "Shrewsbury is a wonderful town, it has really great shops and we should be very proud of it.
"There are a few empty shops but nowhere near as many compared to other town centres."
Deborah Cook, from Price and Sons bakers in Ludlow, said: "I think 99 per cent of people who come into our shop are proud of Ludlow town centre.
"I think Ludlow has benefited from having the food and drink festival which keeps visitors coming to the town.
"I also think we don't necessarily have any of the very big out of town supermarkets, which helps."
Terry Watkins, a shopper from Welshpool, said: "It is a good town centre, there's maybe a few places lacking, to buy CDs and DVDs and the like, but there are some really good smaller family run businesses."
By Tom Johannsen
