The All Party Small Shops Group said it is yet to finalise its report into the future of the high street in 2012 in the face of mounting speculation as to its contents.
A spokesman for the group said the report will not be out until mid-February and dismissed press reports the group will call for an Office of Fair Trading investigation into the supermarket sector as “speculation”.
According to leaks published in The Observer on January 29, the report is expected to make four key recommendations, including an end to supermarkets offering free car parking, while shoppers have to pay to park on the high street.
It is also expected to suggest the wiping-out of advantageous business rates for supermarkets, putting in place measures to allow local authorities to find resources to fight planning applications by supermarkets and stiff sanctions if supermarkets exceed the floor space they are given planning permission for.
No comments yet