Business

‘Shop locally to keep town centre alive’

By Julie Spencer
January 10, 2011

Internet shopping and a rise in VAT means small businesses in Bracknell must pull together if they are to survive in 2011.

Mary Flavelle, of the region’s Federation of Small Businesses, said small firms faced a difficult New Year.

“Small businesses will have a lean Christmas and will need courage in 2011,” she said. “We need to look after each other and the way we are going to do this is to keep trade local.”

She blamed the banks for “doing absolutely nothing” to help businesses grow and appealed to Bracknell consumers to spend their hard-earned cash in the town.

Mary was speaking after the Government insisted that new jobs in the private sector would compensate for the 330,000 public sector jobs expected to go in the next four years.

She said: “It is all very well the Government saying that but it is the sort of thing that makes us cross.

“They have said they will be supporting large businesses which is understandable as they have the most employees, but not to the detriment of small businesses.

“We hoped this Government would help with tax breaks and getting rid of red tape but the amount of red tape has not diminished.

“The only thing that has happened is that the tax man is a bit nicer when you ring him up.

“And for all their talk, banks are doing absolutely nothing.”

The sharp rise in internet shopping this Christmas would also ring alarm bells for Bracknell retailers, she said.

Figures out this week revealed that online shopping accounted for 10.9 per cent of all retail sales in November – up from 7.9 per cent a year ago.

She said: “Keeping trade local does work. When you spend £8 locally that will go round five times at least and that money goes back into your community.”

Mary admitted that the threat of the internet would not go away but said Bracknell was still a serious contender for traditional shopping.

“I love Bracknell as we have a great variety of small shops next to each other and Bentalls with all the big names.”

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Most recent user comments 9 of 9

I am a big believer in supporting local businesses but sadly that is becoming harder to do. Bracknell town centre looks run down, unappealing and half the shops are empty. The last straw came when the council decided to hike up the car parking fees - by over 60% in some cases. I parked in the High Street car park recently only to find half the spaces cordoned off and the new pay machine already faulty! And I got to pay more for this great experience... From now on I will be taking my business elsewhere as I refuse to continue to pay more for less.

L Smith
13/01/2011 at 21:07

Horse - Stable Door....

Wiztwas, Binfield
11/01/2011 at 09:14

I shudder with horror every time I approach the town centre - it's full of soul sucking zombies with no light in their eyes - like extras from a Romero movie. As long as we have the internet, who in their right mind would want to shop there?

Frank Chicken
10/01/2011 at 18:17

I this this lady must be shopping in the wrong town because we have nothing here to offer shoppers.

AR
10/01/2011 at 17:09

Worst town ever.

Blow it up and start again.

The Illusive Man
10/01/2011 at 16:38

I will make the decision on where to buy things based on how convienient it is to shop at the location. Having to pay for parking and having change available can stop me going in to the town centre.

Why not make the parking FREE, like some areas in the UK. Perhaps starting with a 6 month trial.

Steven Simister
10/01/2011 at 13:38

I have lived in Bracknell Forest for 30 years and would NEVER bring a visitor to the Town Centre as it is an absolute disgrace. The money that has been spent over the years on Focus Groups, Market Research, Planning Commitees, Architechts, Project Managers etc could have paid for the Regeneration that is so desperately needed. I have visited third world countries with more characteristic shopping facilities and quite frankly anyone involved in the Regeneration which has been dragging on for god knows how many years, while the fat cats get richer and the Town gets shabbier, should hang their heads in shame.