News: BRC highlights Rotherham retail initiative
The British Retail Consortium (BRC) has featured Rotherham in a national report on how to maintain and strengthen the vitality and viability of our high streets.
The BRC's report - 21st Century High Streets: A new vision for our town centres - shows the impact the economic downturn is having and sets out a twenty-point plan for securing the long-term future of town centre retailing well beyond the end of this recession.
Rotherham was used in the report as a case study showing proactive action to attract new retail through its Business Vitality Grants Scheme.
"It is too early to gauge the impact," says the report. "However, it is clear that approaches like this have the potential to reduce the burden on retailers and make a valuable contribution to the viability of our High Streets."
Cabinet Member for Economic Development, Planning and Transportation Cllr Gerald Smith said: "We've made some progress in helping our town-centre business sector, and we know we have more to do, but it's gratifying to see a national organisation holding Rotherham up as an example of how improvements can be made. It's also good to know that many of the BRC suggestions are already in place here."
These include help with parking with the launch of the Free after 3 initiative, creating attractive public spaces and working in partnership with South Yorkshire Police, business and others to reduce town-centre crime and nuisance behaviour.
Stephen Robertson, BRC director general said: "High streets are the heart of local communities and economies - providing jobs and essential services. They are a crucial part of our national retail mix but many of them are in trouble, facing difficulties that began well before the current recession.
"Some will flourish again as the economy recovers; others have to shape a different future as customers' needs change. But that cannot be left to chance. These processes have to be actively managed by local authorities with their retailers, other businesses and residents."
The BRC's report - 21st Century High Streets: A new vision for our town centres - shows the impact the economic downturn is having and sets out a twenty-point plan for securing the long-term future of town centre retailing well beyond the end of this recession.
Rotherham was used in the report as a case study showing proactive action to attract new retail through its Business Vitality Grants Scheme.
"It is too early to gauge the impact," says the report. "However, it is clear that approaches like this have the potential to reduce the burden on retailers and make a valuable contribution to the viability of our High Streets."
Cabinet Member for Economic Development, Planning and Transportation Cllr Gerald Smith said: "We've made some progress in helping our town-centre business sector, and we know we have more to do, but it's gratifying to see a national organisation holding Rotherham up as an example of how improvements can be made. It's also good to know that many of the BRC suggestions are already in place here."
These include help with parking with the launch of the Free after 3 initiative, creating attractive public spaces and working in partnership with South Yorkshire Police, business and others to reduce town-centre crime and nuisance behaviour.
Stephen Robertson, BRC director general said: "High streets are the heart of local communities and economies - providing jobs and essential services. They are a crucial part of our national retail mix but many of them are in trouble, facing difficulties that began well before the current recession."Some will flourish again as the economy recovers; others have to shape a different future as customers' needs change. But that cannot be left to chance. These processes have to be actively managed by local authorities with their retailers, other businesses and residents."
Rotherham town centre website
BRC website
RotherhamImages: rotherhamrenaissance.co.uk
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