Council Report offers 16 ways to help Independent Traders

A Report aimed at safeguarding the future of small and independent stores in Bath and north east Somerset is to be viewed by the Full Council.

Members of the Council's major projects overview and scrutiny panel are behind the report, which contains 16 recommendations to help boost the independent traders' economy in the area.
A survey was carried out among small and independent retailers ahead of the report, which found that many were concerned about the level of information they received from the Council. The report also recommends that the Council finds more ways to communicate efficiently with local traders. This should take in allowing non-council tenants to attend council-run training courses, the possibility of setting up an online business forum and raising the profile of council advice services.

The report calls for work to be done to look into ways the council can control what businesses are in areas outside Bath city centre, such as Moorland Road, where the rising number of takeaways and charity shops is seen to have had a damaging impact on the areas' prosperity.

The panel also agreed that the Council should consider the retail mix of the SouthGate development, ensuring that the diversity of the city is reflected in the new centre.