I was struck by how many shops are empty in Sutton High Street and just how quiet it is.

This will get worse when Westfield in Croydon opens. Westfield will be huge, on our doorsteps and full of the best known and larger retailers.

This will be a further threat to Sutton – we already have Kingston and Epsom to compete with. Unless something is done to encourage shoppers to Sutton town centre, more businesses will leave as the number of shoppers continue to fall.

The council has to think about how to get shoppers to consider Sutton as a destination. I often hear criticism the cost of parking is far too high; particularly on street parking – can there be a scheme to reduce the cost? What about incentives such as reducing business rates for shops on the high street so more shops open?

We need to have this debate now. Does anyone else have any other views?

ANDY COOK

Labour Party campaigner in Sutton West Ward

 

 


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