Save our town centres!

11.00.00am GMT Sat 15th Dec 2007

Years of neglect by Labour and Tory Governments and local councils have seen town centres in the area suffer a slow decay. A combination of bureaucratic regulation, a lack of clear Government strategy and deference to big retailers have left local businesses and shops facing an uphill struggle to meet changing shopping habits.

Recent years have seen Maple Road in Penge go from having a bustling market day to occasionally having a few stalls. Forest Hill has lost a bank, restaurants and numerous smaller retailers. Sydenham High Street has seen an increasing number of unlet units, and all areas have lost Post Offices over the past decade and seen a rise in fast-food outlets.

"Town centres are very much at the heart of our community", says Lewisham West & Penge Lib Dem campaigner and Forest Hill councillor Alex Feakes. "Whether we're just buying a stamp or a birthday card, dropping in for a coffee or to drink a pint, they provide a focus to where we live."

"Sadly, the Government doesn't seem to think urban town centres like Penge, Forest Hill and Sydenham, or even small shopping streets in Bellingham or Clock House, are worth support or investment."

The local Lib Dems are supporting a raft of proposals to revive our town centres and help them to a sustainable future. These include planning reform to deal with empty units, over-supply and parking; greater support for local authorities and town centre managers to co-ordinate and champion their areas; and a new regulatory environment.

The proposals include:

• A focus on sustainability and community

• Planning reform to deal with over-supply, empty units and parking issues

• Greater support and flexibility for 'town centre managers' and localised decision making

• Extra support for small businesses through tax reliefs and deregulation