CBI regeneration blueprint calls for business rates reform
THE CBI today unveiled a package of measures for the public and private sectors to work together to unlock local growth, overhaul business rates and rejuvenate the UK’s towns and cities.
In a new report, developed with consultant EC Harris, the CBI is calling for strong local leadership to work with businesses and the Government to deliver new homes, modern offices, good transport links and thriving high streets.
The next regeneration: unlocking local growth outlines a blueprint for regeneration.
Among the measures it calls for are: A one-year business rates holiday for firms moving into empty property; Planning changes to make it easier to convert empty shops into homes and for cafés and restaurants to introduce temporary outside seating; and using the public sector balance sheet to kick-start investment in building projects.
The report also highlights the need for more joined-up strategic local leadership and more proactive planning allied with early private sector engagement.
Katja Hall, CBI chief policy director, said: “Too many grand regeneration projects of the past have failed to deliver and public money has been wasted. We want to ensure growth reaches all parts of the UK and that means co-ordinated action to rejuvenate our towns and cities.
“Thriving local communities need good amenities on their doorstep, ranging from decent housing, good leisure and public services, and most importantly – jobs. For businesses to invest, good transport links and modern office space are a must.
“The high street is the beating heart of our towns and cities but we can’t reinvent them as they once were. That’s why we’re calling for action on business rates to ease the pressure on retailers, and for planning laws to be relaxed to turn empty shops into homes and create more of a café culture.”
