Letter: My Fears for the Retail Sector

Published on: 31 Jul, 2018
Updated on: 30 Jul, 2018

From A Atkinson

In response to: Compared With Other Areas, Our Retail Sector Is Doing Well

Again a councillor appears blind to the long-term decline of the High Street. There is currently no need for more retail space as per the Local Plan Cllr Reeves voted in favour of, let alone in the period to 2030.

Indeed the planning inspector criticised the borough council for having no strategy for the town as part of the plan. The simple fact is that the borough (and any other place on this planet) needs less shop floor space and more housing. But the council, with the support of Cllr Reeves, plans the opposite.

The number of houses approved by the council and Cllr Reeves does not reflect the future needs of the current population of the borough – it essentially reflects the needs of those not currently living in the UK but who wish to.

Therefore, a wider perspective has to be taken in the context of other development signals the amount of shopping space needed in Guildford. It is not the massive increase currently proposed. At best it should remain as is with the available space for truly sustainable homes versus isolated green belt sites, dislocated from truly sustainable transport hubs.

I have earned my livelihood in one way or another around retail for the last 26 years and, on balance, this set of councillors have failed Guildford. They lack vision. We could be the retail centre of the 22nd century, now! Let’s use our technology expertise to be the world leader of the “5G” retail environment of the future and not the failed planning policies of the past.

I fear that within 12 months one or both of House of Fraser and/or Debenhams may be gone. And what about WH Smiths?

Casual dining chains will continue to close. Banks will become less high street and increased gambling legislation will put pressure on that market.

Readers might be interested to read this: https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/high-street-spirits-set-to-sink-lower-z0m9wlk6z