Retail turnaround specialist Bill Grimsey has called for a dedicated minister for town centres and a one-off levy for large retail chains to help the ailing high street ahead of the publication of his Alternative Review of the High Street on Wednesday.
The Estates Gazette columnist today urged larger retailers to “give something back”.
He proposed that national chains with a turnover of more than £10m should invest 0.25% of one year’s UK sales from 2014, or around £550m in total, into a local economic development fund to help sponsor startups and new ventures to help revive local high streets.
Grimsey also told EG in an exclusive video interview that there needed to be a dedicated minister for town centres and high streets and outlined how his recommendations are different to those in the Portas Review.
Click below to watch the interview.
emily.wright@estatesgazette.com
