10th Jun 2008

Small shops will suffer from new fees imposed by Barnet Council

The new fees imposed by Barnet Council levied on anyone who displays their goods outside the shop is unfair to independent traders.

It could be over a thousand pounds a year for a small shop and could destroy decades of hard work by shopkeepers who survive on small margins and provide essential community support.

Of course everyone should be able to walk along the pavement without obstruction, but a certain width of it could often be used without disrupting pedestrians. The Council itself puts advertising boards right in the middle of pavements!

Small shops are suffering enough with unfair competition from supermarkets, the loss of post offices, and free parking at Brent Cross (where more and more community events are being held, which should be in town centres).

Our town centres are the heart of our communities and some goods outside shops will make them more lively.

Barnet Green Party calls for more support for small shops.