Steve Roberts, Thanet Green Party’s Parliamentary Candidate for East Thanet and a town councillor for Broadstairs:
I am a passionate supporter of local businesses and the thriving High Streets that make our towns great places to live.
Thriving high streets made up of independent businesses also attracts tourism which our economy depends on.
I learn so much from speaking to local business owners. Nadine owns and runs Bella’s, a cafe on Broadstairs High Street. Their ‘kids eat for one pound in school holidays’ offer prompted me to contact her.
Chatting away, I learned about the impact of road closures, especially when businesses are given short or no notice and when bus routes are impacted. Surely not all the digging we see by utility companies is an emergency and so unplanned? I also learned about a nearby underused car park and public toilets we can better publicise.
We got on to bank closures. Taking the day’s cash to a bank in the next town takes time and for a business owner time is money. NatWest has announced it will be closing the Ramsgate branch.
NatWest bosses argue lack of customers. You could argue that banks make huge profits. Some are partially owned by us after being bailed out in the financial crisis over 15 years ago. NatWest is 35% taxpayer-owned after its £45.5 billion bailout in the 2008-9 financial crisis. https://www.reuters.com/business/finance/natwest-reports-profit-beat-confirms-insider-thwaite-ceo-2024-02-16/
NatWest’s 2023 pretax profit was £6.2 billion, up 20% on 2022. NatWest has chosen profit over people and communities.
So, what can we do to save our High Streets and keep their local character? Business rates need a complete overhaul. That’s one for Westminster.
Making all online retailers pay their fair share of tax would create a level playing field: another one for Westminster. We do have a General Election this year so check the manifesto of each party. The Green Party of England and Wales is calling on the Government to offer a Small Business Saturday support package to help firms thrive in their green transition.
This includes reform of VAT to support small businesses and suspension of Covid repayments. The Green Party believes the Government must reform our VAT system so that it differentially supports smaller shops and businesses compared to larger ones and online businesses.
And what can we do individually? Shop local more often. Praise local businesses online and through word of mouth. And get talking to staff and owners. I did and I learnt so much. You can also support Save the High Street.
