Labour vows to save high streets as thousands of shops closed doors under Tories

11 April 2023 , 21:30

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The Labour leader will unveil a five-point plan to breathe new life into local areas (Image: Getty Images)

Keir Starmer will pledge to revitalise high streets as figures show thousands of pubs, shops and bank branches have closed under the Tories.

Analysis shows the UK has lost over 6,000 pubs, nearly 4,000 local shops and 9,000 bank branches from high streets since the Conservatives took power in 2010.

A decade of low growth and ever rising energy costs have driven many of the remaining small high-street businesses across the country to the brink of collapse.

The Labour leader will unveil a five-point plan to breathe new life into local areas, including cutting business rates and energy bills.

The plan will see Labour allocate £700 million to helping companies cut their energy costs in the long term.

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Given in the form of vouchers, firms will be able to claim for energy efficiency measures that will help them save on bills. For example a local cinema could get double glazing or a cafe could install a heat pump.

Labour vows to save high streets as thousands of shops closed doors under Tories

Figures show thousands of pubs, shops and bank branches have closed under the Tories (In Pictures via Getty Images)

The party will promise to slash business rates, saving the average pub, cafe or restaurant £2,600. This will be paid for by properly taxing online giants like Amazon.

Labour will also promise to give powers to local councillors to takeover and revamp empty shops and stamp out late payments that are a problem for many small businesses as they cause difficulties with cash flow.

The plan will introduce new town centre police patrols and mandatory antisocial behaviour police leads in local areas in an attempt to crack down on crime targeting small businesses.

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Speaking ahead of a visit to a high street in Great Yarmouth, Mr Starmer said: “Britain’s businesses already give so much to our economy, and hold a huge amount of potential and promise just waiting to be unlocked.

“But they’re being held back by 13 years of Tory economic failure. The Tories crashed the economy and business and working people are still paying the price on higher interest rates.

“With our five point plan, Labour will work in partnership with businesses and local communities to get our high streets thriving again. This is just one of the ways we will deliver our mission to secure the highest growth in the G7, so every part of our country can feel better off.”

Nick Mackenzie, CEO of Greene King, said: “The business rates system needs reforming to make it fit for the modern reality of the high street. The current system acts as a barrier to investment and growth and is a huge cost burden on pubs.

“We welcome plans to help reduce this heavy burden and create an environment where pubs can thrive at the centre of the nation’s high streets and communities.”