Croydon’s shopkeepers and local campaigners are still pressuring the council to opt into the sustainable communities act.
With only days left, Croydon Green Party campaigners presented a petition signed by local shopkeepers and a covering letter to the town hall last Wednesday (July 22).
The act of parliament gives communities the opportunity to support local shops and improve the social wellbeing in their area.
Individuals from across the borough form ‘Citizens Panels’ to come up with suggestions to the council.
Those suggestions are then passed to the government, who can decide whether to put them into action.
But councils only have until this Friday (July 31) to make their proposals.
In Birmingham the Citizens Panel proposed small businesses should be promoted by increasing business rate relief.
Supporting the campaign is Esther Sutton, local licensee of the Green Dragon pub, in Croydon High Street, which was recently voted the best pub in Croydon.
Mrs Sutton said: “Small businesses are vital for local communities. Pubs in particular often double as community centres where people across social strata can socialise, play sports, be entertained, do business or gather for important events.
“The sad fact is that 52 pubs a week are closing in this country, possibly forced out of business by huge supermarket chains retailing alcohol at impossibly low prices.
“The Sustainable Communities Act creates more of a level playing field by helping to preserve the economic, social and environmental wellbeing of local communities.”
Despite a positive cabinet discussion in April, Croydon Council has yet to indicate whether it will opt in or not.
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