Janet Finch-Saunders
The Welsh Conservatives have never been shy to debate our high streets in Wales and, of course, as recently as September, when this was halfway through—the Welsh Government’s Vibrant and Viable Places programme—we did look at what we felt had been achieved or otherwise. Now, at the time, the Minister denied that vacancy rates were rising here in Wales. But, there is no denying that they are. We’ve seen an increase in vacancy rates as detailed in the Local Data Company’s recent report, with nearly one in six of our shops standing empty and it is the highest rate in the UK. But, there are some positives to come out of a debate like this and I was only pleased recently to know, in my own constituency, that Conwy has been named as a very successful town in terms of high streets. And, I will actually go on to elaborate a little bit further as to some of the reasons why. There has been a lack of support from the Welsh Government for our small and medium-sized enterprises. I believe that this isn’t a one-Minister issue: it is a corporate Government approach from here that is required. We look at abolishing business rates, especially for businesses valued at under £12,000. That would certainly help. It would enable businesses to further invest in property and develop their high street presence, and at the same time create jobs. I speak to numerous business owners and they simply have cause for concern, and I raised it in the earlier debate, about being able to get quality staff with skills that they can then work with to help them in their businesses. I have to say that some of our businesses—. Ieuan Edwards has a very successful business in my constituency; as well as running a very successful business, he’s a major employer with 70 members of staff, but he’s very keen on the living wage and very keen to provide quality jobs. So, it’s not just about the service that they give, it’s more about them also wanting to be responsible employers, providing quality jobs. The Welsh Labour Government’s Support Your High Street campaign hasn’t seen many tangible results and we would certainly like to see the outcomes of the High Street Week and support campaign. What assessment has the Welsh Government made of the reasons behind the persistent degradation of some of our high streets? And, I do say ‘some’. The Welsh Conservatives policy, ‘A Vision for the Welsh High Street’, outlines strong, sustainable proposals to help SMEs and regenerate our high streets. But, it is a four-pronged approach. I would say that there’s probably more than that that’s needed: high street management, accessibility management and business rates. Finance for small and medium-sized businesses has also been highlighted here. Ours includes a charter for the high street, versatile transport links, free and flexible parking schemes—and no more of this with local authorities using parking fines and parking schemes as a means of revenue—considerations of the high street integrated within the planning system, utilising local community and business knowledge in policy development and the revitalisation process, and community-run local services under the Right to Bid scheme. There is a need for a mix of economic stimulus and growth and local community engagement for revitalised and sustainable Welsh high streets. Welsh Conservatives have also called for increased support from councils to allow easy pop-up shops, particularly around this time of year, and to enable them to be free of business rates whilst open. This would enable smaller businesses to gain valuable exposure and experience of being on the high street, bringing confidence back to our high streets and adding life and vibrancy to empty shop fronts. Llandudno’s Christmas fair, for the first time ever, will, this year, double in size and will feature stalls from many of our local farmers selling Welsh produce and food. Enterprise, innovation and inspiration is at the heart of our proud Welsh businesses, but it must be at the heart of successful Welsh Government policy. ‘A Vision for the Welsh High Street’ will support such high streets. But, I would say and reiterate, it is a cocktail of measures that is required to build and sustain our high streets. We need the Minister for planning, the Minister for environment and the Minister for health—bringing in medical services, you know, new doctors, shops; they can come on the high street. The Minister for skills has a part to play in this as does, obviously, the Minister for business. This is an all-round approach that’s needed. You need to all be working together on a strategy: one that feeds in on all those issues that I’ve raised. Let’s really all work together and revitalise our high streets in Wales. Thank you.
The Welsh Conservatives have never been shy to debate our high streets in Wales and, of course, as recently as September, when this was halfway through—the Welsh Government’s Vibrant and Viable Places programme—we did look at what we felt had been achieved or otherwise. Now, at the time, the Minister denied that vacancy rates were rising here in Wales. But, there is no denying that they are. We’ve seen an increase in vacancy rates as detailed in the Local Data Company’s recent report, with nearly one in six of our shops standing empty and it is the highest rate in the UK. But, there are some positives to come out of a debate like this and I was only pleased recently to know, in my own constituency, that Conwy has been named as a very successful town in terms of high streets. And, I will actually go on to elaborate a little bit further as to some of the reasons why. There has been a lack of support from the Welsh Government for our small and medium-sized enterprises. I believe that this isn’t a one-Minister issue: it is a corporate Government approach from here that is required. We look at abolishing business rates, especially for businesses valued at under £12,000. That would certainly help. It would enable businesses to further invest in property and develop their high street presence, and at the same time create jobs. I speak to numerous business owners and they simply have cause for concern, and I raised it in the earlier debate, about being able to get quality staff with skills that they can then work with to help them in their businesses. I have to say that some of our businesses—. Ieuan Edwards has a very successful business in my constituency; as well as running a very successful business, he’s a major employer with 70 members of staff, but he’s very keen on the living wage and very keen to provide quality jobs. So, it’s not just about the service that they give, it’s more about them also wanting to be responsible employers, providing quality jobs. The Welsh Labour Government’s Support Your High Street campaign hasn’t seen many tangible results and we would certainly like to see the outcomes of the High Street Week and support campaign. What assessment has the Welsh Government made of the reasons behind the persistent degradation of some of our high streets? And, I do say ‘some’. The Welsh Conservatives policy, ‘A Vision for the Welsh High Street’, outlines strong, sustainable proposals to help SMEs and regenerate our high streets. But, it is a four-pronged approach. I would say that there’s probably more than that that’s needed: high street management, accessibility management and business rates. Finance for small and medium-sized businesses has also been highlighted here. Ours includes a charter for the high street, versatile transport links, free and flexible parking schemes—and no more of this with local authorities using parking fines and parking schemes as a means of revenue—considerations of the high street integrated within the planning system, utilising local community and business knowledge in policy development and the revitalisation process, and community-run local services under the Right to Bid scheme. There is a need for a mix of economic stimulus and growth and local community engagement for revitalised and sustainable Welsh high streets. Welsh Conservatives have also called for increased support from councils to allow easy pop-up shops, particularly around this time of year, and to enable them to be free of business rates whilst open. This would enable smaller businesses to gain valuable exposure and experience of being on the high street, bringing confidence back to our high streets and adding life and vibrancy to empty shop fronts. Llandudno’s Christmas fair, for the first time ever, will, this year, double in size and will feature stalls from many of our local farmers selling Welsh produce and food. Enterprise, innovation and inspiration is at the heart of our proud Welsh businesses, but it must be at the heart of successful Welsh Government policy. ‘A Vision for the Welsh High Street’ will support such high streets. But, I would say and reiterate, it is a cocktail of measures that is required to build and sustain our high streets. We need the Minister for planning, the Minister for environment and the Minister for health—bringing in medical services, you know, new doctors, shops; they can come on the high street. The Minister for skills has a part to play in this as does, obviously, the Minister for business. This is an all-round approach that’s needed. You need to all be working together on a strategy: one that feeds in on all those issues that I’ve raised. Let’s really all work together and revitalise our high streets in Wales. Thank you.