First, it’s the business-unfriendly Colchester Council in the news yet again:
Business representatives are concerned at the growing number of empty shops in Colchester.Well, they do indeed have a reputation for doing just that.
They called for help to stem the problem and accused the council of putting obstacles in the way of the town centre’s economic recovery.
Remember this story?
Keith Brown, regional organiser of Essex FSB, said: …“It’s definitely the recession causing the problem. But Colchester Council is not helping.And more to the point, an empty shop means a lack of business rates coming in, which means a lack of income for the council. You’d think a council employee would see that.
“It’s taking a very harsh line against things like companies giving out leaflets promoting their business or putting up signs saying where they are located, like the Cowdray Centre.
“We are trying to meet with the council and we have certainly made our views known. An empty shop in the High Street brings down the whole street and has a domino effect.”
Hell, anyone who’s ever played ‘Sim City’ knows it!
Iain Wicks, chairman of north-east Essex FSB, added: “It is important for the future of Colchester town centre that this move is reversed as quickly as possible and Essex FSB will be looking to work with Colchester Council and other partners to actively encourage more retailers to choose Colchester and open stores in the town.Indeed. Of course, they don’t agree with that assessment.
“A key part of that offer to retailers is for Colchester Council to be seen as business friendly and supportive of retailers trying to attract new customers into their stores. Sadly that is not the current image that Colchester Council projects.”
Nick Barlow, councillor responsible for economic development, said: “I think we’re doing all we can to help businesses.”You might think so, but if you aren’t, and if businesses are saying so, and if shops are closing and nothing is taking their place…
Meanwhile, in another Essex town:
A restaurant has been dealt a blow after councillors vetoed retrospective plans to use a shop next door as a bar and waiting area.Oh, really?
The Estuary restaurant, in Leigh Broadway, has been using the adjoining linked premises as an area for its customers to wait for a table.Well, I’ve a tiny bit of sympathy with the council here – this sort of ‘encroachment by degree’ is precisely the sort of thing that we hate to see in disputes with travellers, after all.
The business was threatened with enforcement action after Southend Council received a complaint in February last year that the wall had been taken down and the business had expanded.
On the other hand, since this is clearly a booming business that is bringing in revenue, wouldn’t a hefty fine be more sensible?
At a council development control committee, Jim Clinkscales (Lib Dem, Blenheim Park) disagreed with the proposals and said it would open the floodgates to other businesses facing enforcement action.Ah, I see. Got to treat everyone equally, eh?
Does it not occur to you to fine them too?
John Lamb (Con, West Leigh) said he felt the permission should be granted and expressed concerns about the effect on business.I doubt it’ll close down. There’s no need to reach for the hyperbole…
He added: “A lot of investment has gone into the establishment.
“I believe we should be encouraging some of these. We have to allow some to develop because we need this type of business in the 21st century.
“Let’s not refuse it and make it close down.”
Graham Longley (Lib Dem, Blenheim Park) supported Mr Lamb and said it was the wrong decision.It seems to be catching…
He added: “I think we have an unrealistic approach to this. It is perfect for where it is.
“I just think we are being draconian in not allowing this sort of activity to take place.
“It is essential in terms of cafe society and cafe culture. It improves the ambience in the area. If it was closed we would have an empty shop.
“It is a clean, well-run facility which should be available to everybody. I think it would be totally wrong to close it down.”
However, the application was refused with members voting ten against and two for.Bet I know who they were!
The owner is understandably miffed:
Mr Bailey said: “Leigh Town Council hasn’t got a problem with us, none of the public have a problem with us. Who is the council actually working for? ”That’s a very good point, Mr Bailey. Whom indeed?
Also in Essex, this time at Canvey Island:
A laundry boss says he has been left high and dry after his plans to expand a business were knocked back by the council.He wanted to reopen an existing empty shop and they turned him down? Why?
Simon Bannister, who runs Canvey Island Ironing and Laundry Services, wanted to expand his business by creating a new laundrette in an empty shop at 326 Long Road on the island.
His proposals were turned down by Castle Point Council’s planning department due to a lack of parking provision.But if the lack of parking is an issue, what can be done with the empty shop?
Mr Bannister, who has owned the Charfleets Industrial Estate-based business for 18 months, said: “I’m completely gutted.And there’s another part of the problem – if it costs a business money to place an application which might get turned down on a whim, where’s the incentive?
“I would have thought the council would be backing local businesses, given the country’s economic problems.
“Their general attitude is you’re just a little man and what we say goes.
“The business is going well, but I wanted a shop front so we could get more passing trade.
“I’ve wasted £2,000 on this application and got nowhere.”
Norman Smith, councillor for economic regeneration, said: “I can understand the officers’ concerns because that spot has been an accident blackspot and the pedestrian crossing has only recently been put in.Why would he want to go elsewhere when there’s an empty shop right there..?
“I certainly don’t like to see an empty shop anywhere.
“Perhaps we could try to support him looking for a suitable shop elsewhere.”
And if lack of parking is an issue, what business are you EVER going to allow to open that shop? Will it stay empty forever?
These three seem to sum up the dilemma of just what 'civic good' local councils do.
9 comments:
Parking space seems to be the biggest red herring/ace up the sleeve that councils have.
Millions spent on anti drink drive campaigns, but YOU try and open a new pub without a massive car park attached.
They don't seem to understand what their function is. Only when the last business has closed down and there's no taxes coming in, will it occur to them.
I guess there must be other councils who do understand, and can take advantage. In general, though, it's a reminder that there's just as much corruption, waste and stupidity at the local government level that you find at the national and European level.
Isn't our private sector supposed to be so innovative and thrusting that dealing with Councils should be little more than occasional fly-swatting?
More likely is that the old and mundane business model is screwed and none of these traditional businesses and politicians is up to coming up with something new?
allcoppedout,
not really sure what you're saying here. The examples given do not indicate that old business models don't work. In the case of the restaurant and the dry-cleaners, they are being prevented from expanding by the councils involved.
The Planning Officers make a recommendation, with one eye on what the Planning Inspector might say if there was an appeal.
The Planning Committee make the decision with one eye on what the local voters might say if there was an election....
I get your point Trooper. I guess in the old days we might have expected Councillors to be fed in the restaurant to twist their decision in the right direction, and perhaps suffer a fatal accident involving dry cleaning fumes should they make the wrong one?
My own local town centre's economy is now exclusively reliant on traffic wardens, who flock like starlings and even try to stick a ticket on my car as I crawl trough in the early morning on route elsewhere. My mate got one at 9.30 p.m. outside the theatre just before he was mugged in the empty town last week. The cops moved out four years ago.
I have no doubt councils will kill any businesses off, but there does seem a lack of enterprise all round hereabouts. The last glimmers were the gin palaces associated with the vapid booze culture (council version 'cafe society')and drug peddling.
In my last local, you can buy a 60 pence (supermarket offer price) bottle of cider (with free glass and ice) for £3.40. The landlord is going broke. The stuff costs 2.8 pence at the factory gate. BwangQ want £11 for a telephone extension wire I can pick up on Ebay for £2. I can buy frozen meals Wetherspoons knock out at £4.50 for 80 pence (inferior ASDA ones are £2.50).
Just seems to me the council-government dross that always seems to have been with us is not solely responsible. We are paying 'tax' to more than them.
"Millions spent on anti drink drive campaigns, but YOU try and open a new pub without a massive car park attached."
Is that just in rural areas or suburbs, though? Most city centre pubs have no parking at all.
"They don't seem to understand what their function is. Only when the last business has closed down and there's no taxes coming in, will it occur to them."
It really does seem as though they are keen to cut their own throats.
"The Planning Committee make the decision with one eye on what the local voters might say if there was an election..."
That might be true were these extensions controversial (such as gypsy camps). But these seem to be eanted by the local voters - expansions of existing businesses.
"...£11 for a telephone extension wire I can pick up on Ebay for £2."
You can see why the Internet is booming, can't you? It's not just the price, it's the experience.
No-one's going to clamp my chair and keyboard!
JuliaM said...
"Millions spent on anti drink drive campaigns, but YOU try and open a new pub without a massive car park attached."
Is that just in rural areas or suburbs, though? Most city centre pubs have no parking at all.
I said NEW pubs.
Which, since the smoking ban, is not likely to happen any way.
But look at any archives from council planning decisions, and see how many were/are (?) refused due to lack of parking facilities, and YES, I am talking of a reasonably sized town.
Parking outside a laundrette? People who have cars have washing machines.
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