Save our high street, demands FPB

The Conservative Party's Parliamentary Enterprise Group has set up the Commission into Small Shops in the High Street, which is chaired by Northampton South MP, Brian Binley. It is consulting with the FPB and other organisations and in March 2008 will publish a report, which it hopes will influence Government policy.

Recent plans from the Conservative Party to scrap free parking at supermarkets and out-of-town shopping centres are also being welcomed by the FPB as steps in the right direction in levelling the playing field for independent retailers. However, the FPB's Campaigns Manager, Matt Hardman, is imploring the Government to find the courage to take on the supermarket giants.

"The fact of the matter is that, it is the Government that must implement the changes. The supermarkets' plot to drive out local retailers by methods such as predatory pricing has led to a stranglehold on the sector," he said.

Barbara Swarbrick of The Croft Bakery, Preston, laments the impact that supermarkets have had on smaller businesses. She said: "The supermarkets have such buying power and there is not much I can do about it, especially when they sell a loaf of bread for 30p. We have to just keep going and going, and working more and more."

"Where I live, there are shops closing down all the time. There is nothing here now; I can't even get a paper delivered. I agree that there should not be free parking at supermarkets and there should be other solutions."

The FPB is concerned also that the Competition Commission's inquiry into unfair competition in the grocery market has been hindered by its reluctance to guarantee anonymity for suppliers giving evidence, who fear a backlash from the supermarkets. The Commission's preliminary findings are expected next month.

"The demise of smaller retailers is an issue the FPB takes seriously," said Mr Hardman. "The loss of this section of the high street means damage to local economies, employment and communities. It is not a case of bigger companies undercutting expensive smaller rivals; is it about exploitation through unfair competition and the inability of decision-makers to stand up to bullies."

While the focus of many local authorities has been to encourage large retail developments, thousands of livelihoods that depend on smaller firms hang in the balance. Mr Hardman says that the persuasive power of the big boys hides the true impact of their actions.

"It is easy for authorities to approve these projects because they are enticed by the thought of investment, but at what cost to established businesses and jobs? More must be done to empower planning committees, for example, to stand up to big retailers that muscle their way into market domination."