Debenhams Store Closure - a blow for Chatham Town Centre
The news that Debenhams has confirmed plans to shut its store in Chatham High Street has delivered a devastating blow to the Town Centre. Chatham has been named as one of the department stores the chain plans to shut next year closing 22 outlets across the country, putting 1,200 jobs at risk. Debenhams was the centrepiece of the High Street and its closure will have a huge impact on the look of Chatham Town Centre.
John Castle, Liberal Democrat Candidate for River Ward states - "This is hugely disappointing news and a real blow for Chatham Town Centre. Debenhams has been a great addition to the High Street and it is sad to hear that we are going to lose it - particularly for the staff ".
With the news of Debenhams closure, its critical that Medway Council give support and initiatives to businesses in the High Street. Liberal Democrats are calling for a reform to the business rates system with a land value tax instead of the current rates system which currently isn't working.
Liberal Democrats are calling on Medway Council to commit resources to improve all of Medway's town centres to support jobs, local public services and reinforce the sense of local community offered by our high streets. There are numerous challenges to our established retailers from the internet. Speaking to local residents, increases in parking charges and hours of operation are also acting as deterrents to visiting local town centres, pushing shoppers to other centres. We need to do more to improve the look and feel of the street, and provide more short-term parking, especially for people buying heavy or bulky goods.
We feel the council could do more by giving start-up businesses rates relief to help them through their first year of trading and speeding up planning decisions on derelict buildings. Medway Council is investing £45 million into a long-term buy-back of the Pentagon shopping centre. Doing so will improve the council's chances of regenerating Chatham High Street.
A Liberal Democrat-controlled Council would deliver a strategy to rejuvenate the town centres and the wider area with the right action to support businesses, as pioneering Liberal Democrat councils are currently demonstrating in other areas. Liberal Democrats are committed to building an inclusive economy in Medway that benefits all residents.
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John Castle Liberal Democrat Candidate for River Ward states - "all of Medway's town centres are a critical source of local services, shopping and employment. Medway Council should be giving them as much support as possible, by working with businesses to keep them trading and encouraging companies to invest in the High Street".