Politicians respond to Wokingham town shopkeeper’s SOS call
POLITICIANS have responded to last week’s call to do something more to save businesses in Wokingham.
Michael Flint, the owner of Wokingham Décor in Peach Street, had challenged MP Sir John Redwood, Liberal Democrat candidate Clive Jones and the leader of Wokingham Borough Council, Stephen Conway, to spend time in the town, and talk to business owners and shopkeepers to understand the realities of running a retail business in the town.
Cllr Conway visited Michael on Monday, accompanied by Nicky Phillips, the council’s economic development officer.
He said: “We listened to Michael’s concerns about the town centre, especially the lack of shops, the car-park charges, and the parking enforcement regime.
“We agreed to consider what we could do to address his concerns, and those of other traders.
“We want our retail centres to be thriving, but these are difficult times for all towns across the country, not just Wokingham, with challenging trading conditions that are partly caused by the cost-ofliving crisis, but also by the longer-term shift to online shopping and the loss of anchor stores, which have closed due to high rental costs and a fall in profitability.
“The council is trying to offer support for new start-ups.
“We have put on a jobs fair to help local employers, and we have appointed a new town centre officer to liaise with local businesses.
“But we recognise there is more we can, and should, do and will be working out the most cost-effective ways in which we, as a local authority under its own financial pressures, can help.”
Sir John Redwood, MP for Wokingham, told Wokingham Today: “I visit the town centre all the time, and am campaigning actively against the high car park charges, the potholes, road closures, temporary traffic lights and other anti-driver measures the Council is taking.
“The council is doing grave damage to the town centre traders.
“I myself persist in coming in to shop and meet people.
“Getting there and parking is now always more difficult, and footfall is often very low in the town.”
His spokesperson confirmed he will make direct contact with Mr Flint, and that he has a huge amount of sympathy for business owners in Wokingham.
Clive Jones, the Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate for Wokingham, also took time to visit Michael and listen to his concerns.
He echoed Cllr Conway’s comment, saying Wokingham residents have been severely impacted by the cost-of-living crisis.
He said: “The average household in Wokingham is paying £4,000 more as a result, and that’s money they simply cannot spend in our shops.”