Cornered Shops...

Where Marty Portas leads it seems Government follows.  The Planning and Housing Committee have called on the London Mayor to make changes to the London Plan to strengthen protection for local shops and give boroughs more power to resist or negotiate on planning applications from big retailers.  Central to these proposals would be a revision of the Use Classes Order which would make it harder for newsagents and greengrocers to become internet cafes and betting shops.  The London Assembly also wants it to be made more explicit that boroughs should support local neighbourhood shops as essential parts of a ‘lifetime neighbourhood’.  With the rise of the emerging Local Economic Partnerships over the next year or so Places Matter! would like to see greater support for small independent outlets in the neighbourhood shopping centres of the Northwest.  Among our favourites are Daphna’s Cheesecake Factory in Liverpool, Green’s Restaurant in Didsbury, Cottrills Jewellers in Wilmslow  (UK Jewellery Awards Independent Retailer of the Year 2007) and Lucy’s deli and café in Ambleside. 

Let us know your favorite independant shops by emailing info@placesmatter.co.uk