March 30 2012

Mary Portas is celebrating after the recommendations of her high profile report into how to rejuvenate Britain’s High Streets were, largely, accepted by the Government.

Adopting “virtually all” of the recommendations the government has pledged to create dedicated “town teams” to oversee High Streets, managing concerns such as more affordable parking. It will also see the allocation of £10m additional funding to bring empty shops back into use and a bid to reduce red tape.

It will also see the introduction of a National Farmers Day to encourage additional tourism and the establishment of a £1m prize pot for the town which most improves its High Street over the coming 12 months.

Other measures adopted include easing planning rules for the conversion of space above shops into homes and the abolition of centrally-set parking charges.

Minister of State for Communities and Local Government Grant Shapps said: "I'm accepting virtually all of the recommendations from Mary Portas's review, but I'm also going one step further, with a range of measures designed to help local people turn their High Streets into the beating hearts of their communities once again."

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