Simply put, a diverse range of local shops provides more choice than one big supermarket. More importantly, local shops provide far more than quality and value. They give areas a sense of character, and a sense of community.

As a recent report by Parliament concluded:
"The erosion of small shops is the erosion of the social glue that binds communities together."

Why are small shops closing?

National surveys, combined with our own local polling, suggest that several factors are at play.

Financial
Many local shops face high business rates handed down from Government, stiff rents from landlords, and impossible economies of scale from supermarkets. Likewise, whilst a supermarket may have a legal team on standby, planning and licensing law can be a complex nightmare for a busy small business.

Lack of forward planning
Local councils often have little or no vision for the shopping streets under their control. As a result, they do not use the planning system to encourage the right mix of shops for their particular area. Civic Pride in Cheltenham has begun an important process of looking ahead and pioneering projects for the centre of our town, but meanwhile independent shopkeepers outside the town centre are closing their doors for the last time.

Hassle factor
Parking in Cheltenham’s town centre is expensive and there is a premium of available space. Pressure on existing parking facilities is forever increasing with insufficient Park & Ride facilities or available bus routes. This just encourages people to use out-of-town supermarkets with their free parking. Many shoppers say they would use local shops more if access and parking could be improved. One shopper commented, “I can spend half an hour trying to get to Bath Road and get parked. In the end I often give up and go to a large supermarket. I am too old to be able to carry my shopping too far.”

Perception
Whilst supermarkets have marketing teams, small shops do not have the time or expertise to organise promotions. Most shoppers cite quality and value for choosing local shops – and do not realise that some products can be as good value, or even better value in terms of cost, from small shops. One town butcher commented, “My meat deal here is better than the local large supermarket, both in terms of cost and quality. It is sourced locally. But I can’t deliver leaflets to 2000 homes.”