Concerted Government action needed to regenerate flagging town centres, says Assembly committee

25 January 2012

Strong Ministerial leadership within the Welsh Government and revised planning policy are needed to regenerate some of Wales’s flagging town centres, according to a report from a National Assembly for Wales committee.

The report from the Enterprise and Business Committee found that a clearer national lead is needed to tackle the numerous challenges facing Welsh high streets and that all policy, planning and financial levers should be better co-ordinated to encourage sustainable and diverse growth of town centres.

It also highlights the need for town centres to be championed at local level across Wales, including better public and private sector partnerships to ensure the agenda is driven forward cohesively.

During its inquiry, the Committee heard evidence of wide-ranging challenges facing town centres, including competition from out-of-town retail and office developments, rising business rates and town-centre car-parking charges.

It recommends that the Welsh Government’s independent panel on business rates should consider changes in legislation and in the application of discretionary powers, with the aim of improving the mix and quality of the retail offer in town centres.

Committee Chair, Nick Ramsay AM, said: “Vibrant town centres are at the heart of sustainable communities and they are core to a healthy and prosperous Welsh economy.

“Yet our inquiry showed that throughout Wales there are examples of weak and vulnerable high streets, blighted by empty premises and poor shopping environments.

“Key to tackling these issues is strong, effective leadership at Ministerial level, which must then be complemented locally in towns and communities across Wales.

“We want Welsh towns to have comprehensive plans, developed by local stakeholders, which contain actions for addressing the issues affecting town centres.

“The Welsh Government has a huge part to play in creating the right conditions to stimulate investment in town centres and public, private and voluntary bodies must work better together to ensure our town centres have a viable future.”

The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) gave evidence to the inquiry. FSB Welsh Policy Unit Chair, Janet Jones, said: “Today’s report offers a welcome, well-evidenced insight into the challenges facing high streets across Wales. It also offers a way forward for Welsh Government and local authorities.

“As the champion of small businesses, with some 10,000 members in Wales, many of whom work in the retail sector, the FSB is supportive of the report’s recommendations and is pleased to have shaped its findings through giving evidence to the Committee.

“Whilst it is positive to see such consensus from a range of perspectives, we now want concerted action from the Welsh Government. These recommendations must be acted upon to secure positive trading conditions for retailers in town centres across Wales.”

January 2012 - Regeneration of Town Centres Report  (PDF 816 KB)