Britain’s high streets could soon “disappear forever” if drastic steps are not taken, according to the country’s most famous retail troubleshooter.
Mary Portas, who has revived dozens of ailing shops in her role as TV’s Mary Queen of Shops, gave the damning prognosis in a new report, commissioned by the prime minister.
In her report, Portas lamented the “years of erosion, neglect and mismanagement” which have led Britain’s high streets to the present juncture, and propounded a series of measures to arrest the slide.
Her recommendations included the appointment of special ‘town teams’ to manage the UK’s high streets on a daily basis, and the imposition of a new car parking tax on out-of-town malls.
Perhaps the most eye-catching proposal was the creation of a national market day, whereby wannabe traders could rent a stall for just £10, no matter what their background or previous experience.
Portas said: "Our high streets can be lively, dynamic, exciting and social places that give a sense of belonging and trust to a community. Something which, as the recent riots clearly demonstrated, has been eroded and in some instances eradicated.
"I fundamentally believe that once we invest in and create social capital in the heart of our communities, the economic capital will follow.”
Publication of Portas’ report coincided with the release of new government research showing that a third of Britain’s high streets are in a state of chronic decline.
According to the research, just 40p in every £1 will be spent on the high street by 2014, if current problems are not addressed.