BRC and BPF dubious over London mayor’s pledge to support small shops

Business leaders last week questioned London mayor Boris Johnson’s pledge to support independent and small shops.

Laura Chesters, Property Week – 8 August 2008

Property and retail bodies were reacting to Johnson honouring his election pledge to support London’s small businesses and outlined measures to ensure that more affordable small shops were provided in retail developments.

Last month he launched ‘Planning for a Better London’, which set out his proposed changes to the London Plan and included a commitment to ensure a ‘diverse and dynamic retail sector across the capital’.

Under his new measures, developers will enter into legally binding agreements to provide an agreed number of affordable small shop units when significant retail schemes are proposed. Work has already started on developing the details, which are set to be brought forward as alterations to the London Plan in the next eight months or so.

The mayor said: ‘Our small shops add real character and diversity to the capital’s high streets but they are finding themselves squeezed out by competition from supermarkets and rising unsustainable rents.’ Full Article