Two of Wiltshire Council’s independent councillors have launched a campaign calling for an 8.5 per cent levy to be put on all major supermarkets and retailers in the county to help boost trade in the High Street.
Councillors Jeff Osborn and Terry Chivers have put down a notice of motion for the council’s November meeting asking for an investigation of such a levy, which the council has power to introduce under the Sustainable Communities Act of 2007.
And they are seeking signatures for a petition they have launched to support such a levy, which has already been introduced in Northern Ireland and is be considered by a number of councils across the country, the money raised going straight into council coffers.
“If we are successful in getting this motion passed, we are suggesting that the revenue raised be invested back into our local High Streets to support the smaller independent traders across the county,” declare the two councillors.
“So many small retailers have complained that vital trade has been lost with increased car parking charges. We could use the revenue to reduce car parking charges and maybe, in some cases, look at providing a limited amount of free parking.
“We all use supermarkets. But it’s time that they put something back into the High Streets that they are helping to destroy. How many independent butchers, bakers, greengrocers and fishmongers do we see on the High Street?
“Very few. They have all been forced out of business to be replaced by takeaways and charity shops.”
And they add: “As a matter or urgency, we ask the residents of Wiltshire to contact their Wiltshire councillor and ask that they support our notice of motion, plus to make contact with their local town and parish councillors asking that they support us.”
Variable details about how such a levy is introduced in Wiltshire’s major towns, including Marlborough, will be worked out if the notice of motion is approved.
Meanwhile, Councillors Osborn and Chivers urge residents to back their campaign by going online to:
http://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/levy-on-wiltshire-supermarkets where every click will help build the case and make Wiltshire Council take action.
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