WITH reference to your article ‘We’re left to rot’ (March 10), I can empathise with the High Street traders. I pulled out of the Lower High Street almost three years ago because of declining footfall and decreasing sales.
As one of Broadstone’s councillors, I have seen similar changes to the retail offer along the Broadway.
It has become more and more difficult to maintain a balance of services which guarantees the vitality of the centre. The strategy currently adopted by the council’s planning department that ‘anything is better than an empty shop’ is an unacceptable argument since it gives rise to an open door policy which enables the establishment of too many cafes/takeaways and the gradual erosion of a viable retail area.
It is time Poole Council established formal planning guidance which would enable greater control over this invidious ‘cafe/takeaway creep’ and the dilution of the retail offer.
CLLR MIKE BROOKE, Broadstone
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