Govt backs British Retail Consortium manual

07 Apr '08

2 min read

Retailers could be missing a golden opportunity to shape local transport policy by not engaging closely enough with council planners, warns the British Retail Consortium (BRC).

Today, Monday (7 April) as the BRC publishes a new tool kit called the 'Getting into Town – A Guide for Improving Town Centre Accessibility', the Government is backing the manual as an effective way of improving communication between local authorities and retailers.

The guide offers retailers step-by-step instructions on how they can best influence local decision makers. It includes advice on establishing early warning systems for council proposals that could affect local businesses. The manual also provides retailers with a series of probing questions to ask councils, such as:

-What is the local authority doing to ensure a congestion charge does not lead to car shoppers simply travelling further to alternative retail centres where no charge applies?

-How much will it cost to enter and park in the city in the future? What exemptions will there be?

-Is there anything the council can do about the lack of loading bays near my shop?

The BRC will circulate the tool kit to thousands of small retailers and local authorities across the UK and it is now available to download from www.brc.org.uk

Edward Cooke, BRC Head of Transport and Property, said: “It's in everyone's interest, from councils to local residents and businesses, to ensure thrivingtown centres.

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