Our campaign to be at the heart of probe into shops

ROARING TRADE Crowds queue on street for a Debenhams sale in 1978

online retailers pay fair business rates tax on online sales, with money going to the wider sector firms to collect the right VAT from overseas sellers fund to revive town centres

MIRROR’S DEMANDS

rate relief for firms that fill town centre shops empty for a year planning laws to convert shops into offices, leisure or housing SUPPORT Jake Berry backs demands A SENIOR minister has praised the Mirror for leading the crusade to save struggling town centres with our High Street Fightback.

Jake Berry said our demands would be at the heart of an upcoming review.

He said: “The Mirror’s High Street Fightback campaign has really helped to get that wider drum beat going about how all of us have a duty to protect, support and create an environment in which we can foster our high streets.”

The minister has commissioned shoe boss John Timpson to conduct a review into how to revive town centres which will be published “shortly” with a “robust” Government plan.

He added: “All the things you have put in here, John Timpson will be looking at.”

Mr Berry also gave his clearest hint so far that Monday’s Budget would act on online retailers who fail to pay their fair share of tax.

Amazon sparked outrage after it emerged it had paid hardly any tax in the UK. Mr Berry said: “We have to recognise Amazon provides a route to market for many small businesses. There’s an acknowledgement taxation around that digital economy needs to change.

“The work Government is doing is to look at ways of capturing some of that value. That’s ultimately something for the Budget.”

Refusing to accept an inevitable decline of shopping areas, he went on: “They are the original social network. You cannot get the hug when you shop online and the ability to have a relationship with the people who work there.”

We want councils to be able make compulsory purchases of neglected sites and an end to rip-off parking. Mr Berry said: “I hear the call for additional powers from local authorities, that is why we’ve set up the Timpson review.”

The MP for Rossendale and Darwen, Lancs, also urged councils to have a dialogue with local businesses about parking charges.

He said: “Parking should be determined by local authorities but... a period of free parking is crucial for the health of the high street. In my area, traders want an hour or two [of free parking] so people with new cash in their pockets can arrive every couple of hours and spend it.”

Mr Berry also backed our call to change planning laws which require permission to turn a cafe into a shop, for example. He said: “The system should foster entrepreneurship rather than, in some cases, stand against it.”