Simply put, a diverse range of local shops provides more choice than one big supermarket. More importantly, local shops provide far more than just quality and value. They give areas a sense of character, and a sense of community.
As a recent report by Parliament concluded:
"The erosion of small shops is the erosion of the social glue that binds communities together."
Small Shops are closing and with the recent “credit crunch” are feeling the pressure even more greatly.
Why are small shops closing?
National surveys, combined with our own local polling, suggest that several factors are at play.
Financial
Many local shops face high business rates handed down from Government, stiff rents from landlords, and impossible economies of scale from supermarkets. Likewise, whilst a supermarket may have a legal team on standby, planning law can be a nightmare for a busy small business.
Lack of Forward Planning
Town councils seem to have little or no vision for the shopping streets under their control. As a result, they do not use the planning system to encourage the right mix of shops for their particular area.
Hassle Factor
Parking in the centre of Richmond is expensive and there are limited available spaces; Pressure on existing parking facilities is forever increasing, driving down Barnes High Street has become impossible because of the buses and roadworks; and Upper Richmond Road has suffered since the introduction of the red route and has hardly any parking bays. Given that almost half of Richmond town residents (47.3%) use their car to go shopping; these factors are seriously undermining business. It is simply easier to go to a supermarket or a retail outlet where parking is plentiful and free.
Perception
Whilst supermarkets have marketing teams, small shops do not have the time or expertise to organise promotions. Our survey found that quality and range of goods were the top two reasons for choosing shops - and that some people worried that low turnover and high rents could equal bad value. "I would like to shop locally for my everyday goods but the local shops cost too much money" worried one retired man. Infact, many shoppers do not realise that some products can be of as good value, or even better value in terms of cost, from small shops and without much of the unnessary packaging.
