Here, the candidates for the Huntingdon constituency give their views on the decline of our high streets and what can be done to revitalise them.
Alex Bulat (Labour)
"Our high streets are focal points in our local economy, but also in our local communities - so it is critical we support them, including by shopping locally and buying British as much as possible.
As someone who set up a small non-profit organisation and worked with other small and medium businesses, I have seen first-hand how difficult it has been for many with the COVID pandemic and then the Government crashing the economy and exacerbating the cost-of-living crisis.
That is why Labour in Joint Administration at Huntingdonshire District Council has made a point of collaborating with local businesses, helping support them in difficult times.
The council has run a shop front grant scheme across our market towns, incentivising businesses to invest in rejuvenating their fronts and window displays by putting in funding to make their money go further.
This helps them attract customers themselves, but also helps improve the appearance of the town more generally - encouraging more people to visit and spend longer there, helping increase potential customers, creating a positive cycle.
Works funded by the first grants have already been completed in both Huntingdon and St Ives.
Labour in local government have also worked closely with Huntingdon BID (Business Investment District) - helping businesses collaborate with one another as well as the local council.
This has included funding a new visitor centre in Huntingdon, to provide a hub to help signpost visitors to businesses and experiences across the town and attract more people to the district.
When I talk to businesses about what more the national government can do, everyone agrees that we need to reduce the burden from unfair and outdated business rates. More and more businesses feel let down by the current Conservative Government.
The Labour manifesto clearly states that the current business rates system disincentivises investment, creates uncertainty and places an undue burden on our high streets.
Our high streets need stability - Labour will completely replace the business rates system, to make them fairer and level the playing field between high streets and online giants.
We will tackle empty properties and support, through our national skills strategy, local entrepreneurship."
Georgie Hunt (Green Party)
"The high streets in our area are home to fantastic independent shops, restaurants, and initiatives encouraging people to shop, eat, and socialise locally.
However, to make sure our high streets thrive, we must prepare them for the future. Our shopping trends may have changed, but they are still an essential place for supporting our economy in our market towns, with many residents telling me they would love to see an even wider range of independent shops on our high streets.
That’s why projects like our district council’s 'Shop Front Grant Scheme', -council with a Green in leadership - are so essential.
While our independent shops need increased support from the government —for instance through reviewing business rates— they will only truly thrive when combined with loyal support from local people committed to spending locally.
Arts, heritage and culture found on our high streets is also important to many people’s enjoyment of life and helps improve mental health and wellbeing. Therefore if elected, I would also propose and promote cutting VAT on cultural events (such as theatre, gigs in local pubs, and museum tickets) to give these sectors a much-needed boost.
Our high streets are already home to brilliant statues, pieces of artwork, and green spaces. From discussions with residents, many are in favour of further improvements to the fabric of the high streets such as further pedestrianisation, more greenery, and secure bike storage to reduce the number of journeys necessary by car. If elected, I would work with local businesses and stakeholders groups to implement these measures where possible."
Mark Argent (Lib Dem)
"Many of our high streets have suffered as people have switched to shopping in supermarkets. That trend isn’t likely to reverse, but it is possible to make changes so that people come back to the high street for their leisure time.
Typically, this means a mix of physical changes, such changing the paving, refurbishing buildings and reducing (or removing) traffic, along with encouraging a change in the use of buildings so there are more eating places and bars and cultural resources such as museums, galleries and music venues.
The aim of revitalisation projects is partly about boosting town centre economy, not least by drawing in visitors. But the real benefits are in people’s sense of belonging and connection.
That’s sometimes called “social capital”. It’s really important in helping deprived areas, but would also help with creating the environment to pull business success from the Cambridge area into Hunts.
Revitalisation projects are usually led by local councils. Liberal Democrats seek to devolve power from Westminster, so, as your MP, I’d see myself supporting the work of Huntingdonshire District Council.
They are already involved in town centre regeneration in St Ives and Huntingdon: I’d be thinking of other places where regeneration would help."
Chan Abraham (Independent - Changing Britain For Good)
"In 1996 as HDC’s director of Community Services I initiated ‘quality-of-life’ improvements in Huntingdonshire, including bringing new life to our market town centres, and establishing town centre management (now BID Huntingdon). Circumstances change and we must do more for all our high streets.
Our priorities must be our people - traders and the public - as well as their safety, security and wellbeing.
Costs are key, so I want to abolish business rates and support physical shopping by taxing online firms with a turnover exceeding £500,000.
This should stimulate independent businesses and encourage support for local shops.
Then comes what’s on offer, along with accessibility and parking, amenities convenience, ambience and housing. The public are drawn by variety and lively atmosphere, and we can inspire vibrancy with street entertainment, markets and great places to eat.
Trees, green spaces, attractive street furniture, including seating, cycle stands, good lighting and public toilets provide an essential backdrop of facilities.
Town centre evening life and economy can be encouraged by longer restaurant-opening-hours and 24-hours gym facilities, and homes above shops.
As Huntingdon’s Independent MP I intend to provide leadership, encourage co-operation and develop widespread community support bring new life to our high streets."
Sarah Smith (Reform UK)
"I have seen the change in our town centres over the 34 years I have lived in the constituency. I have seen many beloved local independent shops vanish from the high street to be replaced by yet another phone shop/charity/barber.
High Street businesses have been disappearing because of: business rates; high energy prices, lockdown, competition from online shopping and car parking charges.
I would introduce free car parking at off-peak times, when our town-centre car parks are currently empty, and charges on Saturdays to make sure some car parking spaces are always available.
Car parking charges should only be used to ration parking not as a cash cow for the council, and certainly not as a deterrent to 'get us out of our cars'.
I would reject any town centre proposals that reduce the number of car parking spaces.
Reform policy is to abolish business rates for all small businesses in the town centre.
I would accept the fact that people don’t need to visit town centres to buy the things they need and that they visit them only because they want to.
So, I would act to get opening hours deregulated in the area so that businesses had more flexibility to open when they think it would suit their customers.
I would like to see an end to the two-hour dead-zone between shopping and going out and both activities become part of an all-day leisure sector.
Innovative examples in the constituency are: Niche Comics doesn’t open until 11am, but often has special events in the evening; and hairdressers that are closed on two weekdays but open until 8pm on the other days.
Olmo Lounge and Whetherspoons are two businesses with a daytime offering and evening offering. This is the way forward for town centres.
For local businesses to thrive they don't need special schemes introduced by politicians, they need the shackles removed so that they are free to prosper."
Ben Obese Jecty (Conservative)
"The regeneration of our high streets and town centres is a key part of my local plan for this constituency.
Huntingdon is an area with a huge amount of potential and we should aspire to create thriving towns and vibrant villages.
With so many new homes being built across the region it is vital that we provide the infrastructure to support those making their home here and crucially that means making our market towns real destinations.
As someone who lives a short walk from the high street I think we all find it disheartening to see so many vacant shops on Huntingdon High Street and St Benedict’s Court, also along Bridge Street in St Ives.
I’ve already discussed this in detail with the BID Huntingdon town manager and whilst Paul Sweeney and his team have made real progress with the market, Commemoration Hall and holding other events, I believe there is a huge amount more we can achieve together.
As the MP, I would make the continued regeneration one of my key priorities, filling the empty shop units and improving their variety. I will champion our local businesses, fulfilling our manifesto pledge of easing the burden of business rates for high street businesses and work on increasing footfall and drawing more visitors.
The proposed extension of the Cromwell Museum has the potential to turn Huntingdon’s Market Square into a real cultural hub, but empty shop units like the former Woolworths building are holding it back.
As the MP here, I would put my constituency office right at the heart of the area on Huntingdon High Street, reiterating my commitment and belief to the town and illustrating my promise to be a visible and accessible MP who will represent everyone in Westminster."
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