District Councils’ Network responds to Grimsey Review of high streets

Responding to the Grimsey Review which warns that a “debt time bomb” threatens to sink high street independents, Cllr Mark Crane, District Councils’ Network lead member for stronger economies, said:

“This distressing report highlights the stark reality of the pandemic for many independent retailers and the people working within them – businesses that bring immense value to local high streets, and contribute to the wider community in so many ways.

“Districts have delivered billions of pounds of support over the past 15 months through the Government’s Covid support schemes, as well as adapting high streets to be Covid secure, and supporting businesses to adapt.

“As we reopen, it’s clear that levelling up must go beyond bricks and mortar investment, and prioritise the human cost of the pandemic – building back fairer, and equipping district councils with the resources they need to lead the local recovery in our market towns, coastal communities and cathedral cities.”