Liberal Democrats condemn Boris Johnson over small shops

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Mon 18th Aug 2008

Haringey Liberal Democrats have given the London Mayor's plans for small shops a big thumbs down, describing his new policy as potentially damaging to the future of the borough's shopping parades.

On 31st July 2008, Mayor of London Boris Johnson outlined measures to ensure that more affordable small shops are provided for in new retail developments. But local councillors feel that the plan fails to promote the use of local high streets and could indeed make things worse.

Under the new measures developers will enter into legally binding agreements to provide an agreed number of affordable small shop units when major retail schemes are proposed. Liberal Democrats have criticised the Mayor's plan for encouraging small shops to move to large 'out-of-town' developments rather than helping local shopping areas.

Cllr Rachel Allison, Liberal Democrat Regeneration Spokesperson, commented:

"There is nothing in these proposals to offer a crumb of hope for small shops struggling on our high streets with massive rent increases and poor council support. Boris seems intent on killing them off. Encouraging people to visit massive out of town shopping developments is against all green thinking."