Empty Shops

EDM number 1098 in 2008-09, proposed by Bob Russell on 16/03/2009.
Categorised under the topics of Economic situation and Service industries.

That this House notes with grave concern the increase in empty shops in traditional town centres and neighbourhood centres; calls on the Government as a matter of urgency to consider a range of options to halt further closures and assist in the restoration to retail use of closed premises; specifically urges that value added tax for refurbishment works on retail premises should be reduced from 15 per cent. to five per cent., that next month's proposed five per cent. business rates increase should be frozen and that upward rent review clauses which automatically allowed rents to rise should be scrapped; and further urges that planning, financial and parking policies which discriminate in favour of out-of-town shopping centres should be reviewed so that there is a level playing field with traditional town centres and neighbourhood shopping centres.

This motion has been signed by a total of 40 MPs.