INDEPENDENT RETAIL SHOPS

Early day motion 289, tabled 15 November 2007 by Brian Binley (Conservative). Signed by 118 members.

That this House notes with concern the decrease in the number of independent shops in town high streets; calls for the reinvigoration of the diversity and character of those high streets; further calls for well thought-out parking policies, coupled with sensible administration of those policies to help regenerate towns; recognises that crime against business makes up 20 per cent. of recorded crime and needs further addressing; further recognises the need to ensure that small businesses are helped to compete fairly with larger more established stores; and urges local authorities and central government to help in that objective.

Signatures by party: Conservative 52, Labour 30, Liberal Democrat 24, DUP 3, Scottish National Party 3, Social Democratic and Labour Party 3, Plaid Cymru 2, Independent Labour 1.