A report by the London Assembly has recommended that local, independent shops are given support by the Mayor in order to survive and compete with the multiples.
The report states that London alone lost 7,000 independent shops between 2001 and 2007 and that unless independents are given protection from the planning system then the decline will only get worse.
James Bielby, of the Federation of Wholesale Distributors, spoke last night on ITV’s London Tonight to explain the benefit of local shops in the community. You can watch the report below.
He explained, “We’re certainly not advocating the death of the supermarket. What we’re really advocating is a mix and a choice. If the high street was dominated only by the multiple retailers then every high street would look the same and you’ll lose that community hub that the local shop offers.”
What do you think? Can legislation protect independents from the impact of the multiples smaller-format stores? Should councils across the country follow the example set out in the London Assembly report? Let us know your thoughts.
Nick Shanagher
29/07/2010
On the one side we have Nick Winch of the Federation of Small Businesses saying that chain store local supermarkets could be the last straw for local independents.
On the other we have Richard Dodd of the British Retail Consortium saying that “customers will decide.”
James Bielby of the Federation of Wholesale Distributors argues that local authorities should actively promote local shops, while accepting that store owners need to take responsibility for their own success.
However, part of that taking responsibility must include campaigning for local authorities to consider the needs of local shops when making planning decisions, when siting bus stops and so on. Retailers need to ensure that local politicians and MPs take their interests into account.
If you are a London independent, you need to write to Boris and ask for his support – and to encourage your shoppers to do the same.
James Bielby
29/07/2010
Thanks Nick, no one told me which camera to look into, hence the shiftiness!
The main point is that FWD members supply to independent shops across London and throughout the country and see the value they bring at first hand.
We very much agree with the report’s conclusions that small shops provide an invaluable service to local communities in London. They provide a hub for communities, provide local jobs and contribute to the health of local economies.
We also agree with that small shops need greater support and if flexibility in the planning system is one way to do this they I agree that it should be taken forward by the Mayor and central Government.
In addition, you are right to say policies should support the access to small shops for both consumers and those delivering the goods and to promote the benefits to consumers of shopping locally. Retailers can play their part in that. Small shops often struggle to survive when up against the wealth and lobbying power of the supermarkets but do have a powerful voice of their own.
Steve
29/07/2010
Suburban independent community stores need to take a leaf out of what their rural cousins have been doing for the past and more. The village shop has a voice in the Rural Shops Alliance who have had a voice that gets attention in Whitehall.
So what is the difference between a village community shop and a town or city community shop? Apart from the fact that Village shop have got some organisation!
Steve
Katherine Graham
12/08/2010
Great piece James, not shifty at all!
Steve I think the problem with urban shops is the proximity of many multiples, or express versions of multiples, that they struggle to compete with. Rural shops (I imagined) have less competition?
I can’t believe the lady interviewing James struggled to understand why it would be a terrible thing if smaller independent shops are squeezed out of the highstreets! Hopefully there aren’t too many who share her view.
Where I live (Hither Green) its easy to avoid multiples – I’ve got three fantastic butchers near by and loads of greengrocers, plus an excellent undependent convenience store at the end of my street for groceries. The quality of the food, especially when you’re buying fresh meat from a proper butcher or fish from a real fishmonger, is something Tesco cannot compete with. I’d never buy meat/fish/veg or fruit from a supermarket now if I could avoid it.