MPs highlight role of high-street pubs

The debate covered issues in retail advisor Mary Portas’s review of high streets, which sets out recommendations to free up the high street from constraints such as red tape.

It also wants to level the playing field between high streets and out-of-town centres, and introduce a more flexible planning system.

Neil Carmichael, MP for Stroud in Gloucestershire, explained that the night-time economy is a key factor on the high street, once the shops close.

Carmichael said: “We need to drill down on several issues, one of which is the night-time economy. It seems to me that it is really important to recognise that there are different phases in the high-street timetable, one of which involves what happens after the shops close.

“Restaurants, pubs and cafés generate more activity, which is linked to what happens in the shops.

“It is important for all of our smallish communities — that is what I am talking about from the vantage
point of my constituency — to think in terms of the night-time economy.

“Some years ago we had a seminar about this subject in Stroud, at which pub closures, the impact of nightclubs and the absence of restaurants were all mentioned, but over the past few years those factors have begun to point in the right direction for a lively night-time economy in Stroud.”

Angie Bray, MP for Ealing Central and Acton, said: “What are the magic ingredients for a successful town centre?

“A strong community that is prepared to support local shops and play an active part locally, and decent pubs, cafés and restaurants to provide a buzz.”

In its briefing to the Government on the debate, the Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers said as almost all high-street pubs serve food at some point in the day, there needs to be more ‘positive planning’ in terms of casual dining.

The Government will issue its response to the review in the spring.