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Stephen Mosley Champions Chester’s Success in Commons High Street Debate |
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Stephen Mosley Champions Chester’s Success in Commons High Street Debate
Chester MP Stephen Mosley has spoken in a House of Commons debate about the resilience that Chester has demonstrated during difficult economic times that has catapulted it to the top of the UK’s retail sector.
The debate entitled “the Future of Town Centres and High Streets”, was prompted by the recent publication of The Portas Review; an independent review into the future of British high streets. The review was commissioned by the Coalition Government and conducted by retail guru Mary Portas.
Speaking during the debate, the Chester MP said:
“Like every other part of the country, we (in Chester) face a threat to our traditional economy, through increased competition from internet shopping and out of town retail parks.
“Excluding central London, High Street footfall has fallen nationally by around 10% in the last three years, yet in Chester we have seen three years of consecutive growth.
“Compared to the rest of the UK, Chester is proving remarkably resilient.”
Being one of the very few MPs in the country with retail statistics to champion, Mr Mosley spoke of the success of Chester City Management; the significant impact that carparking can have on high street footfall; and the importance of maximising the overall cultural experience on offer.
Specific reference to carparking was made by Mr Mosley in recognition of Chester’s inclusion on page 27 of the Portas Review, where Chester’s Free After Three carparking scheme was highlighted as a model of best practice for others to follow.
Originally launched by the now Chester MP during his time on Chester City Council in 2008, alongside Chester City Management’s Stephen Wundke, the Free After Three Scheme that offers free parking after 3pm each day in three of the city’s major carparks has been a resounding success, resulting in increased footfall in the city after 3pm by 23%.
Stephen Wundke, City Centre Coordinator for Chester City Management said:
“While the streets are obviously not paved with gold here in Chester, the fact is that in the worst recession seen since the Second World War, we have outperformed the rest of the provincial UK in terms of getting people onto our high street.
“This has been achieved by putting our own plan into action some 3 years ago – much of which happens to echo those now being suggested by Ms Portas in her Review.”
A full transcript and video of Stephen’s speech can be found online at www.chestermp.com
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