Hull high streets set for recession bounce-back

The bounce-back from the recession is set to take shape on the high streets of Hull.

That is the message from Hull North MP Diana Johnson who is backing efforts to ensure that Hull's high streets remain attractive to shoppers and visitors, even if some shops cease trading due to the recession and other factors.

Diana is concerned that without action high streets and shopping areas across Hull could suffer from having many empty premises that add to the problems caused by the downturn. Diana is encouraging creative and innovative ways to keep Hull high streets open for business, using new money available from the Labour Government and new powers available to local councils,

This might mean new community advice centres, new spaces for arts and crafts, new premises for small start-up businesses, community cafes, and spaces for social enterprises and the voluntary sector.

Diana Johnson MP said: "I am worried that shopping areas across Hull could become increasingly run down. Empty shops can become eyesores and crime magnets.

"The Government's ideas for reviving town centres and high streets will give communities the know-how to temporarily transform vacant premises into something innovative for the community a social enterprise, a showroom for local artists or an information centre. This would help stop high streets across Hull becoming boarded up ghost towns.

"The Labour Government's planning rules that put town centres first and business rate deferments are also helping small businesses in more direct ways during this difficult time.

"I am sure that we have the ingenuity and creativity in Hull to come up with some imaginative ideas of our own and make the best of the help that the Government is offering.

"The global recession is affecting many Hull people and it's going to be tough. But we have two alternatives: do nothing or work together to give local people and local businesses real help to get through the recession.

"During the home-grown Tory recessions in the 80s and early 90s, towns like Hull were left to sink or swim. We all remember the rows of boarded up shops - derelict for years.

"With some of Hull's pioneering spirit, the fight-back against the recession can take shape on the high streets of Hull."