Many 'unhappy with provision of local shops'

Many people are dissatisfied with the provision of local shops in their area, new research suggests.

The survey by charity Urban Forum looked at the views of 177 individuals, some of whom were representing community groups. It found that while 54% of respondents were happy with the provision of supermarkets in their local area, they were less satisfied with the choice of independent shops and services.

Some 39% were positive about the provision of local bakers and butchers, but only 28% felt this way about the provision of greengrocers – and just 16% said that the provision of fishmongers in their local area was good or very good.

Asked about local postal services, 40% said that the Post Office in their area had either already closed or was under threat of closure.

Some 80% said that they travelled outside their local area in order to meet their basic, everyday needs due to this lack of or limited range of goods and services nearby.

The report cites research by the New Economics Foundation, which states that "local shops play a significant role in maintaining a prosperous local economy" as "independent local retailers are much more likely to use other local services than chain stores and therefore the money stays in the local economy much longer".

The report makes a number of recommendations to help small businesses, including a reduction in business rates for independent retailers.

It also suggests that analysis of competition should not focus solely on the four major supermarkets but should also include local retailers and said that communities should be able to buy or rent local shops at low rates as part of the community asset transfer programme.