‘Strangling our high street’
Business rates blamed as yet another shop is forced to close
A LONG established shop in Leek closed on Saturday with the owners blaming a decline in footfall in the town and ‘high and unfair’ business rates for their decision.
The closure of the Town Crier Newsagents in Derby Street comes just days after New Look shut their branch in the town and weeks after Unique Jewellery closed their premises.
It now leaves a number of empty shops in Derby Street and the surrounding area.
In addition to the three already mentioned, the former Bargain Booze site, after they moved into the previous Chapter One building, the former Julie’s cafe and next door bakery shop and a former bank building, are all empty.
There are also shops closed in Stanley Street and Sheep Market.
The owners of the Town Crier, Alan and Gill Lyford. said that support from people had been amazing and some were in the shop last week in tears.
In a joint statement to the Post & Times Mr Lyford said: “It is with great sadness and difficulty that we have been forced to close the Town Crier Newsagents, which has been a part of the town centre for many, many years.
“It has been a privilege for Gill and myself to serve the community over the last nine of those years.
“This closure has arisen mainly due to constantly rising costs, reduced footfall and stronger competition. A special thank you for all the support we received during our fight over the business rates situation.”
Ward councillor for the area, Darren Price, said that Staffordshire County Council cuts to bus services which brought shoppers into the town had hit footfall.
He said: “It is terrible to see the closure of a great Leek business like the Town Crier but the closure of this shop and the many others in the town centre is sadly too predictable. “The whole system of business rates needs re-addressing by the Government, it is not fit for purpose and is strangling our high street businesses.”
Alan and Gill said that many of their customers had become friends, adding: “In the time we have had been here we have had the good fortune to build a customer base that have become very close friends, all of which we shall greatly miss seeing on a daily basis.
“The decision has hurt us deeply knowing the importance this service has been to the local community.
“We thank the people who have worked for
us over the years, Liz, Shelagh and Charlotte. We also thank the Leek Post and Times for their support.
“Thanks also to our family who have been there for us through these difficult times.
“Finally may we take this opportunity to thank everyone who has come into our shop and supported us and made coming to work a pleasure and given us memories that will stay with us forever.
“A special thank you for all the kind words, cards, flowers and gifts we have received, we are totally overwhelmed.
“We send everyone our very best wishes for the future.”
Councillor Price added: “The rise in out of town and internet shopping and in the case of newsagents, the reduction in newspaper sales and in other things like cigarettes, means that profits are squeezed and when you add to that the outdated and unfair business rates system the writing is on the wall.
“Business rates are not set by Staffordshire Moorlands District Council, but they are an increasingly important part of local authority funding as other sources of revenue have been cut by the Government and the resultant pressure placed on high street businesses, at precisely the time when trading is tough, will inevitably result in more closures and more vacant shops which in turn will decrease footfall and continue the downward spiral.
“Leek has withstood difficult times, but it now seems to be hitting us. Empty shops are detrimental to the town and to other businesses.
“The government has made cuts to local authorities and now wants them to make money from council tax on residential houses, business rates and the homes bonus, which is controversial.”
Councillor Bill Cawley said that business rates had to be looked at.
He said: “Shops have closed as rents and business rates are high.
“The council and government have to help shops as we have to make Leek a popular venue for people to come to. Options have to be looked at now so the town remains an attractive place.
“Buses could be causing a problem after Staffordshire County Council cut a lot of the subsidies. It now means that there are no buses in the villages which used to bring people into the town where they spent money in the shops. Transport links have got to be looked at.
“Leek does some things well like the Totally Locally market and Scooter Fest, but these are not every week.”
Leek councillor Dani Ogden, said it was worrying that shops were closing.
She said: “The council has no control over the business rates, it is the government. There will have to be something done about it.
“A fair system for business rates has to be made as the present one is not working. It needs simplifying.
“We are working to stimulate the towns markets. Plans are being put in place to improve them, but it takes time to establish.”