Initiative could pave the way for business injection on Poole High Street

9:00am Friday 18th January 2013 in News By Jim Durkin

DEVELOPMENT ORDER: Poole High Street could see more businessess up and running if the development order is passed DEVELOPMENT ORDER: Poole High Street could see more businessess up and running if the development order is passed

CIVIC leaders are working on an initiative that could pave the way for an injection of new Poole High Street businesses.

Borough of Poole wants to introduce a Local Development Order (LDO) in a bid to cut planning red tape and ensure Poole is “open for business.”

If passed, the order will spell the end of lengthy planning applications associated with High Street outlets changing use.

Poole council deputy leader Cllr Mike White said: “This is an exciting opportunity that allows us to free up bureaucracy, support new businesses and underlines our commitment that Poole is ‘open for business’.”

Cllr White thinks the initiative, covering the High Street between North Street and New Orchard, would cut down on the time retail units are vacant.

A borough spokesman explained the LDO, which will go out for public consultation at the end of January, will enable High Street units to change between retail, financial, restaurant, cafe and professional services usage.

“Most changes of use would be subject to an eight-week application process while planning permission is determined. During this time a prime retail unit would have stood vacant on High Street for two months, stifling economic growth and job creativity,” said the spokesman.

“The proposals laid out in the draft LDO would allow the appropriate uses desired for this part of the town to change hands on a much freer basis without the need to submit a planning application.”

Central government will have to rubber-stamp any new regulations before they can be rolled out locally.

Cllr White, who is also cabinet portfolio holder for planning and regeneration, will be among the councillors debating the draft LDO at a meeting on January 24.

He said: “The consultation process is important to getting the order right and I am looking forward to the comments that will help us achieve a speedy decision from the minister who has to approve the initiative.”

Comments(16)

Jetwasher says...
9:23am Fri 18 Jan 13

Heres a maverick idea why dont you look into offering free parking as well ?

Report this post »

rayc says...
9:34am Fri 18 Jan 13

"Fiddling whilst Rome is burning" comes to mind. High business rates and high parking charges will ensure the demise of the high street continues.

Report this post »

GaryC67 says...
9:51am Fri 18 Jan 13

If only the empty shop units took two months to fill.
Business rates, high rents & parking charges are stopping any comeback for the High Street.
Until these costs are addressed the High Street will continue on its downward spiral.

Report this post »

Very Old Man says...
9:52am Fri 18 Jan 13

I fully agree that something needs to be done for the High Street. Last time I walked along it I could only see 100 places where I could buy a cup of coffee and a mass produced over priced bun. If we want to see Poole move with the times there should be at least a thousand such outlets to purchase aforementioned coffee and buns in a street this size!

Report this post »

l'anglais says...
10:03am Fri 18 Jan 13

Abolition of Parking charges are fine, but who is going to pick up the short fall in council revenue.

Why not trial the following:
1.Ask OAP's to pay for their bus passes
2. Introduce a local business tax paid straight into the local communities coffers?

If they don't work, I'll eat my beret.

Report this post »

rayc says...
10:10am Fri 18 Jan 13

Jetwasher wrote:
Heres a maverick idea why dont you look into offering free parking as well ?
The Local Transport Plan says " The amount of available free and low cost parking at both public and private non-residential sites generates significant
amounts of traffic".

Council policy is to cut down the use of the private car, by using high parking charges and regulating parking they hope to achieve this aim. They presumably are happy that their aim is being met and happy to trade of the demise of the High Street.

Report this post »

rayc says...
10:17am Fri 18 Jan 13

l'anglais wrote:
Abolition of Parking charges are fine, but who is going to pick up the short fall in council revenue.

Why not trial the following:
1.Ask OAP's to pay for their bus passes
2. Introduce a local business tax paid straight into the local communities coffers?

If they don't work, I'll eat my beret.
quote "Ask OAP's to pay for their bus passes"

Most age related bus pass use is for discretionary travel. When they get to Poole they tend to spend their money on non essential purchases. If they had to pay for them many would decline them. This will lead to even more closure of shops and even the possibility of some bus routes being withdrawn except for peak times.

Report this post »

BmthNewshound says...
10:40am Fri 18 Jan 13

Its a start but not anywhere near enough. The Council needs to work with landlords and put pressure on government to reduce the costs of rents and rates. Landlords should be encouraged to offer monthly licenses for new start ups rather than expecting them to commit to a long term leases.
.
Retailers should also look at offering space in their stores to other businesses (in return for a share of takings) - the big department stores have been doing this for years with fashion and cosmetic concessions.
.
Retailers need to be encouraged to be more creative. Simply renting a shop, putting in a few shelves and filling it with stuff in the hope that people will come in isn't enough. The questions all retailers need to ask is - why would a customer want to come into my shop ? what can I offer that the internet or the can't ? supermarkets

Report this post »

phonehome says...
12:43pm Fri 18 Jan 13

IF shoppers are deterred by parking charges, why don't the council make the carparking free and recoup the lost revenue by increasing the business rates? The retailers would be able to afford this from their increased takings.

IF, IF, IF.....

Report this post »

l'anglais says...
2:07pm Fri 18 Jan 13

rayc wrote:
l'anglais wrote:
Abolition of Parking charges are fine, but who is going to pick up the short fall in council revenue.

Why not trial the following:
1.Ask OAP's to pay for their bus passes
2. Introduce a local business tax paid straight into the local communities coffers?

If they don't work, I'll eat my beret.
quote "Ask OAP's to pay for their bus passes"

Most age related bus pass use is for discretionary travel. When they get to Poole they tend to spend their money on non essential purchases. If they had to pay for them many would decline them. This will lead to even more closure of shops and even the possibility of some bus routes being withdrawn except for peak times.
So your arguments is that Poole's shops have a business plan that is reliant on OAP's on non-essentials.
Also you believe that Bus routes are kept running only to offer free travel to OAP's, without whose custom, their business would go down the pan.

1. Provide free parking for those with a little more disposable income than OAP's and Poole shops will see an upturn in trade.
2. Stop subsidising old folk and knock down the Bus Station, then replace it with a free car park

Report this post »

Baywolf says...
3:13pm Fri 18 Jan 13

The high street is dead so to will the shopping centres due to online shopping and deliveries, throwing money time and energy in keeping an old tradition of retail spending alive is waste, town centres will be the drinking and eating centres along with cinema dancing and other leisure attractions ..sad to say it but town centres are a dying breed. Farewell HMV Jessops, Blockbuster, Comet and don't forget Woolies..the shape of things to come

Report this post »

Hobad1 says...
7:24pm Fri 18 Jan 13

l'anglais wrote:
Abolition of Parking charges are fine, but who is going to pick up the short fall in council revenue.

Why not trial the following:
1.Ask OAP's to pay for their bus passes
2. Introduce a local business tax paid straight into the local communities coffers?

If they don't work, I'll eat my beret.
start eating bud.

Report this post »

Dr Strangelove says...
9:31pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Newsnight had a few economists on the other week and they all said its is the same the world over it is always high rents that kill off businesses. The second reason which was not the case 10 years ago is fuel costs.

Report this post »

Dr Strangelove says...
9:37pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Why are the council leading this surely who ever owns the properties in the high street should invest into the area. I thought the conservatives wanted to roll back the state you know get the hell out of the way of business making money.

Report this post »

guisselle says...
11:11pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Maybe the bus drivers should ask the
bus pass holders if their journey is a
necessity and they should stay at home.
Most of them spend their money in the
charity shops and weatherspoons.

Report this post »

Black Pirate says...
8:45pm Sun 20 Jan 13

Another missed opportunity by the Council to do something good for the High Street. These orders are worse than useless and make very little difference. Meanwhile the paving, A-boards, trees and bins look worse each year with yet more signs added by Highways. Maybe they should look to places like Devon and Cornwall who are doing real work to reinvigorate their High Streets. I think the Rome burns comments is very apt!

Report this post »

click2find

About cookies

We want you to enjoy your visit to our website. That's why we use cookies to enhance your experience. By staying on our website you agree to our use of cookies. Find out more about the cookies we use.

I agree