We are top of the Poole shops (From Bournemouth Echo)

Congratulations to the winners. However, how about an award for the best empty premises! It is so sad to see these blots on our shopping areas increasing in number every month. Unfortunately in the present economic climate there appears to be little that can be done to reverse this trend. Any ideas from the intelligentsia that read this column?

Boones in the High Street are far too outstanding to be associated with this lot of retailers!!

cpolak wrote:
Congratulations to the winners. However, how about an award for the best empty premises! It is so sad to see these blots on our shopping areas increasing in number every month. Unfortunately in the present economic climate there appears to be little that can be done to reverse this trend. Any ideas from the intelligentsia that read this column?

Well done to the winners and runner-up, its a good idea to encourage the raising of standards.
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Im not sure if I qualify for "intelligensia" but here are some ideas to kick start retail and the economy in general. Because if retail is boosted- then suppliers, wholesalers, import/ export, maintenance, manufacturing and accounting/ legal/ PR/ advertising etc all stand to benefit as well...
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So here it is. The Seasider Retail Regeneration Action Plan!!!:
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1. Business Rates. These are set by central government (Valutaions Office) and this year, 2010, are set to rise for most businesses in Dorset. I suggest to get the economy moving: a 100% rates free period for 6 months, followed by 75% reduction for 6 months, then 50% reduction for a year, and 25% off for year 3. This phasing in will encourage people to start-up if the overheads are low to begin with.
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2. RENTS. Generally these are far to high. Landlords are living in cloud cuckoo land to believe that their premises are worth the current asking rents. The reason they can sit pretty with empty premises and not drop rents is because landlords get rates relief on empty premises. THIS has GOT TO STOP. Labour, to be fair, tried to help landlords by doing this- BUT - it meant that landlords have no financial pressure to drop rents and get a tenant (a business) in to their shop/ office etc. By scrapping this and making business rates payable in full by landlords- rents will start to drop to true market values, and not remain artificially high. Incidentally- most quality positions in city centres/ shopping centres are owned by property investment funds held by pension fund managers etc. and as such have very little apprecition of local economic conditions
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3. WAGES. Along with rent- usually the largest expense. The National Minimum Wage should be split - or have and opt out - for smaall businesses only. Big businesses(PLCs, businesses with turnover over £10M a year, over 100+ employees, or operate from more than 10 premises) should stick with the NMW, anybody smaller should be allowed to operate on a reduced NMW. This would start to push the balance of competitiveness away from Tesco (etc.) in favour of smaller businesses.
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4. ENTERPRISE CLUSTER ZONES. Think Camden Market, The Kings Road, Carnaby Street, Farmers Markets, Harley Street etc. Many towns and cities have developed specific trade themed areas. If zoned areas with reduced rates and/ or business start up grants/ interest free loans were focused in to zoned areas- then an area can gain a buzz/ strength in certain business activities. Example: imagine Boscombe zoned for clothing, shoes & fashions. Pokesdown & Southbourne for art & antiques. Westover Road area for jewellery, hand bags & accessories. Moordown & Kinson for electrical & plumbing, hardware & DIY etc. The Triangle for literature, scienitific pursuits, academic, rare & specialist crafts- pottery/ glass/ fabrics etc. Some of these zones/ ideas wouldnt take off- but some may and it could kick start ventures.
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5. The INTERNET. You cannot just ignore this and carry on pretending "business as usual". Retail is losing out massively to online sales. To address this- re jig sales tax. Introduce a "CLICK TAX". Add 1 or 2% tax to all online purchases. Or bump up VAT to 20% for online sales. This will bring in additonal revenue for our debt laden government AND start to tip the balance in favour of retail.
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6. ENTERPRISE KICK START FUND. The "ONE THIRD DEAL". To try an usher in an era of entrepreneuralism and energise the economy- how about this: You put in a third, the bank will put in a third (by way of low interest loan), and the government will put in a third (by way on low interest loan -repayable when turnover reachs a certain amount... a bit like student loans). Loan rates capped at Bank Base Rate plus say 2%. Minimum investment is £2000, maximum £20,000. Thats how much the individual will put in and be equally matched by the bank and government. This would build a 'start-up pot' of £6k - £60k and could act as a serious incentive to people to have a go. Some businesses will go under- but nobody sets out to fail- and besides, some will survive, then do well, then grow, employ more people and prosper.
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7. SUPERMARKETS. Lets get real about retail. Tesco takes £1 in every £7 spent in the UK. Tesco is now the size of ASDA and Sainsburys put togeather- in terms of store numbers and turnover. Tesco will take about £60 billion in sales this year, and dominates UK grocery sales with 35% of the grocery share. It is time to say: ENOUGH IS ENOUGH. This goliath needs to be stopped in its tracks. It can still expand its overseas Tescos and Fresh & Easy stores (its US brand)- but the UK is saturated. NO single business should be responsible for a THIRD OF ALL FOOD & DRINK SALES to a country. The Competition & Planning & Corporate Laws need to be re-written to ensure Tesco has reached its maximum growth in the UK.
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I think thats enough from me!