by BillGrimsey | May 5, 2014 | Bills Blog
I’ve never much rated Brandon Lewis’ vision. The minister for high streets has previously argued that the explosion of betting shops, fast food outlets and payday lenders is a sign of a thriving high street. He’s in a minority view on this one, as...
by BillGrimsey | Mar 26, 2014 | Bills Blog
On the face of it, the latest GDP figures look promising. And the recent poll of over 50 economists that suggests our economy will be back to its pre-crisis size in a matter of months will no doubt be taken as proof by some that the recovery is firmly underway. But...
by BillGrimsey | Feb 13, 2014 | Bills Blog
The latest Local Data Company report on empty shops makes grim reading for the north of England. Of the top ten worst town centres for empty shops, seven of them are in the North East or North West. Vacancy rates in the North West and North East continue to rise and...
by BillGrimsey | Feb 8, 2014 | Bills Blog
Retail champion Bill Grimsey to embark on national tour in support of the high street as part of Labour’s High Streets Advisory Group • Former Wickes CEO to meet local retailers on the future of the high street and highlight Labour’s business rates cut • Group to...
by BillGrimsey | Nov 13, 2013 | Bills Blog
We need to think a lot bigger than this, Brandon My meeting last week with the new high streets minister, Brandon Lewis, didn’t have auspicious beginnings. A few days previously Brandon appeared in a London newspaper referring to my high street review as “a...
by BillGrimsey | Nov 12, 2013 | Bills Blog
When we set out to publish an alternative review of the high street we all had one thing in mind. We wanted to start a conversation about change and kick-start a different debate about the future of the high street. That much has happened since we launched the Grimsey...
by BillGrimsey | Nov 11, 2013 | Bills Blog
Halloween! Not as scary as the future of the High Street Planning is an essential part of any business activity. Retailers plan their year around key periods where, if they get it right, sales just go through the roof. For the supermarkets Christmas is the most...
by BillGrimsey | Oct 2, 2013 | Bills Blog
Following the launch of The Grimsey Review (An Alternative Future for the High Street) at a Parliamentary Reception in Westminster we are looking to build on the very strong feedback we have received on business rates. It is clear that businesses feel this tax is out...
by BillGrimsey | Sep 30, 2013 | Bills Blog
As the season of political conferences is upon us it’s that time of year when buzzwords and slogans are everywhere. ‘Britain deserves better than this’ has been the most memorable slogan for me so far, because that’s exactly how I feel about our high streets. ...
by BillGrimsey | Sep 30, 2013 | Bills Blog
This car parking smokescreen can no longer hide the biggest high street issue Somewhere in the corridors of power, in Eric Pickles’ Department of Communities and Local Government no less, is a box of tricks marked ‘diversionary tactics’. It’s full of distraction...
by BillGrimsey | Sep 16, 2013 | Bills Blog
Government and Big Business benefit from Rates revaluation deferral Following the publication of my alternative review for the High Street, in early September, I am left dumbfounded by the current business rates issue. Much has been written and even said by the great...
by BillGrimsey | Sep 11, 2013 | Bills Blog
‘Councils should welcome this policy’ This government is not known for eureka moments, but Nick Boles’s announcement that it’s time to turn empty shops into homes was as good as it gets. After three years of farcical high street policy that has...
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