On 15th January, I wrote to the Conservative Council Leader about the planned closure of M&S in Weston High Street and urge action. Today, one month later, he has finally replied. I am copying below his reply and my original email. I’m grateful for the reply, at last, but not impressed or reassured by his responses. Unfortunately, after 12 years in charge at the Town Hall, the administration seems to have stopped listening and is complacent about the impact of what is going on. It’s not good enough.

From: Councillor Ashton
Date: 14 February 2019 at 10:05:20 GMT
To: “Mike Bell (Councillor)” <Mike.Bell@n-somerset.gov.uk>

Subject: M & S

Dear Mike

Thank you for your email of 15th following the official announcement of the closure of the M&S store in Weston. I will try and address the issues you raise.

Yes it is disappointing that M&S have made this decision but we have been aware of the likelihood for some time and it was taken into account when negotiating the price of the Sovereign centre, even though their premises are not part of the deal. The change in high street trading generally and the closure of M&S, made it even more important that this Council purchased the site. It was just as important to me, to protect the long term future of such an important part of Weston, as the revenue we will receive . Comments about the advisability of investing in retail at this time were missing the point but you will understand that confidentiality prohibited us from explaining our motives. Sometimes you have to do the right thing without being able to explain.

Of course we have been talking to M&S about smaller premises or even just a food shop, they have said they are not interested but we will continue to offer now that it is public.

We are working with advisors on how to best present the centre as a more vibrant, interesting place, very subjective but everyone agrees it needs improving and we built funds into the scheme to do just that. I agree with you that we need to do that urgently. I suspect there are some quick wins whilst we consider more substantial change. I will pick this up.

Whilst changes are going on, I think we can look at rent levels rather than business rates. Reducing rates could affect the City Deal agreement with our Unitary partners.

You will have seen in the 2019 Budget papers, that I have proposed no increase on parking charges and a fund of approx £200k to look at starting to reduce charges and implement small local schemes. Future funds could then build on this in a structured way.

Cllr Nigel C Ashton
Leader of North Somerset Council
A Unitary Authority

From: Mike.Bell@n-somerset.gov.uk
Date: 15 January 2019 at 11:47:41 GMT
To: Nigel Ashton <nigel.ashton@n-somerset.gov.uk>, ChiefExecutive.Secretary@n-somerset.gov.uk
Subject: M&S closure

Dear Nigel

It is with sadness that I have learned today that the M&S Store in Weston town centre is to close. This will be a real blow to the town centre economy and to the dozens of people employed at the store.

I wanted to write and ask you to consider three key steps, with our senior officers and with the M&S management. Firstly, to see if there is any scope to maintain an M&S presence in the town centre, perhaps on a smaller footprint in the Sovereign Centre proper. The council could use its muscle as owner/manager of the Centre to offer incentives to keep M&S.

Secondly, to urgently bring forward improvements at the Sovereign Centre and elsewhere in the town centre to attract new retailers into the town centre to try and reverse the trend of declining footfall and empty units.

Thirdly, to work with the Business Improvement District to bring forward a business rates incentive scheme to encourage new businesses into the town centre, focussing on the core retail area. This is something I’ve called for many times and the council does have powers to act in this area.

I would also draw your attention to the Government’s recently published ‘High Street Report’, which includes a number of relevant recommendations for local authorities including three which are particularly appropriate for Weston:

* Councils should ensure that their parking restrictions and charges are not driving people out of their town centres
* Councils should encourage landlords and tenants to think innovatively about how to use empty properties
* Towns should improve housekeeping of their High Streets and town centres.

At a time when the council, under your leadership, has committed significant resources and effort into town centre regeneration, it is important that we do not lose sight of the crucial role that the High Street and retail core plays in the life of our town.

I would be pleased to meet with you to see how we can work together to address these and other issues.

Best wishes

Mike

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Councillor Mike Bell
North Somerset Councillor for Weston-super-Mare Central Ward
Leader, North Somerset Council Liberal Democrat Group

Tel: 07765 902348
Email: mike.bell@n-somerset.gov.uk
Web: www.westonfocus.org.uk
Twitter: @ldmikebell
Facebook: www.facebook.com/cllrmikebell