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Portas Review: Landlords to discuss High Street renewal with Mary Portas

The British Property Federation has stressed the need for greater investment in Britain’s high streets ahead of a meeting with retail guru Mary Portas today.

The BPF, alongside the chief executives of some of the UK’s largest property companies, will meet with Mary Portas this afternoon as part of her review of how government, local authorities and businesses can promote the development of more prosperous and diverse high streets.

BPF policy director Ian Fletcher said: “We are pleased to be meeting with Mary to discuss the perspective of landlords as part of her evidence gathering, and very keen to stress the need for greater investment in our high streets in order to provide an environment in which the nation’s retailers can thrive.

“Landlords clearly have a significant interest in ensuring our high streets prosper, and so the planning regime, high street management and local leadership will all be in focus as part of our private discussions.”

ENDS

For information please contact Ian Fletcher on 020 7802 0112 or ifletcher@bpf.org.uk, or BPF media officer Paul Sweeney on 020 7802 0113 or psweeney@bpf.org.uk.

About the Portas Review (BIS press release):

Mary Portas reviews the future of the high street

17 May 2011

The Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister announced today that Mary Portas, leading retail marketing consultant, has been appointed to lead an independent review into the future of the High Street.

The review will identify what government, local authorities and businesses can do to promote the development of more prosperous and diverse high streets.

Mary Portas said:

“With town centre vacancy rates doubling over the last two years the need to take action to save our high streets has never been starker.

“I am calling on businesses, local authorities and shoppers to contribute their ideas on how we can halt this decline in its tracks and create town centres that we can all be proud of.”

The review will:

• Examine the case for developing town centres that contribute to promoting economic growth, creating jobs and improving quality of life in local areas.
• Explore new business models for high streets relevant to the modern consumer.
• Recommend what action government, businesses and other organisations should take to create diverse, sustainable high streets where businesses of all sizes and independent retailers are able to thrive.

Mary Portas will visit a number of town centres and engagement events across England, and present the review to the Prime Minister by autumn 2011.

Prime Minister David Cameron said:

“Town centres play a vital party in the economic wellbeing of the community and when they are well run they are vital hubs of social interaction and providers of employment and local commerce.

“That is why I am delighted that Mary Portas has agreed to take on this review and I am confident that her straight talking will help us in our drive to create vibrant and diverse high streets.”

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