Adrian Sanders, MP for Torbay has reacted with dismay after the Government admitted it had not looked at the effect of business rents on the economy. Mr Sanders has expressed concern as many businesses in Torbay and across the country have highlighted high rents for business premises as one of the core problems in the current recession.
Hundreds of premises are empty across the bay and over 22% of retail space in Torquay is not currently being used. High business rates, low footfall and competition from online and out-of-town retailers have been cited as other factors causing a decline in Torbay’s town centres.
Adrian commented: “To tackle the problems faced by small and medium businesses, the Government should at least make an effort to understand them. We have seen so many shops and businesses close in Torbay and while Ministers have talked about helping industries, nothing seems to materialise in the real world.”
“The Government has the power and resources to make a difference on business rents but at the moment it is clueless and without direction.”
Adrian will be pressing the Government to look at practical measures to help businesses directly and via local authorities.
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