Pub trade associations are sending submissions to the Mary Portas retail review in the hope of encouraging town planners to consider pubs as a vibrant part of the high street, writes Michelle Perrett.
TV celebrity and retail guru Portas was tasked last month with identifying how to promote more prosperous and diverse high streets.
David Cameron appointed the ‘Queen of Shops’ to lead the independent review as part of the Government’s wider Growth Review, which is examining how to remove barriers to achieve sustainable and balanced growth.
The hope is the review will prompt local authorities to use powers they already have in town planning regulations to favour pubs as part of the mix on the high street.
Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers’ head of strategy Kate Nicholls said: “Portas is tasked with looking at how to rejuvenate high streets. If you want a vibrant town centre that offers a range of services, pubs need to be included.”
She said this was the “ideal time” to persuade the Government that pubs are a vital tool in the high-street economy. Nicholls added: “Policymakers tend to think of pubs as the night-time economy. They must think of their contribution in the daytime.”
The British Beer & Pub Association is also working on a submission to the review and will provide evidence on the strong role pubs have.
Head of public affairs David Wilson said: “Pubs often bring local colour and flavour to the high street.”
The review is set to examine the case for developing town centres that contribute to promoting economic growth, creating jobs and improving quality of life in local areas.
It will explore new business models for high streets relevant to the modern consumer, and recommend what action Government, businesses and other organisations should take to create diverse, sustainable high streets where businesses of all sizes and independent retailers are able to thrive.
Portas will present the review to the PM, Deputy PM Nick Clegg and Edward Davey, parliamentary under-secretary of state for the Department for Business Innovation & Skills, by autumn 2011.
Views can be submitted at www.bis.gov.uk/policies/business-sectors/retail/high-street-review.
