Shannon Meets with Ards Chamber of Trade.,
Jim Shannon MP for Strangford, has thanked members Leigh Nelson and Derek Wright of Ards Chamber of Trade for the “informative meeting held on Friday 17 May 2019.”
He said: “Ards is still a premier trading town, but it is time that Newtownards is further enhanced as more than a standard shopping experience with more events for the Town. And youth organisations can play a part in the life of the town too. There needs to be consideration too for greater facilities for the town centre area so that people can make full use of the coffee culture of the area and the strong independent base that Ards enjoys.
“As trade changes with more online sales, it is great to see the plans for our local High Street adapting to this reality, and I have invited the Minister with responsibility for the High Street Kellie Tolhurst MP to visit and that is being confirmed for a date soon.
“What does the Shop in the High Street need – a better and quicker planning system for improvements, and to support a fresh makeover to attract more people to the town and the shop outlets. A mix of shopping and accommodation would be helpful for the evening and coffee culture and indeed in the past we had schemes that supported the provision of accommodation on the High Streets – the Living Above the Shops Scheme (LOTS), and that is so important that empty space is used in a positive way.
“The business rates must be revised as many stores in the town need assistance as their rates are truly a significant part of their bills and experience.
“The ministerial visit will enable the shop-keepers in the Town of Ards to highlight the wonderful things that are being done and to imput into how government can restore the High Street as well as encouraging online businesses to have a face on the 21st century High Street.
“We are indeed fortunate in Ards that the centre of the town has wide variety out outlets, with many different types of businesses from clothes, shoes to opticians and solicitors and there are areas of redevelopment such as South Street Precinct which is providing approximately a hundred jobs.
“Many stores in our Town Centre are doing a great trade online as well, but more can be done to help them with assistance. Ards is holding its own, but now is the time to take steps forward and to secure the future of the town by adapting and moving with the times,” added Mr Shannon.
