Streatham High Road businesses feel the pinch as recession looms

10.39.52am GMT Wed 20th Aug 2008

Chris Nicholson (shown on the High Road) fears for local businesses in Streatham

'Streatham High Road businesses are suffering as shoppers cut back in the face of the credit crunch and looming recession' according to Chris Nicholson, Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Spokesperson for Streatham.

Chris has been meeting local traders as part of his campaign to revitalize Streatham High Rd but 'All the effort to revitalize the High Road is being put at risk by the looming recession. Out of over 20 businesses I have already spoken to only two said that they were unaffected by current economic difficulties. This makes it even more important that the Liberal Democrat Five Point Plan to revitalize the High Road is implemented(1). Residents and local businesses are fed up with Labour's dithering on projects like the Streatham Hub. It is over two years since Labour took control of Lambeth Council when the agreement for the Streatham Hub project was close to being signed by the Liberal Democrats. Since then the project seems to have gone backwards. Unless the Council takes action fast to improve the attractions of the High Road, I really fear for the future of some local businesses'

Notes

Streatham Liberal Democrat's five point plan for the High Road includes:

• New landmark developments at the old Safeway site by Streatham station and at the Caesars/Megabowl site on Streatham Hill - including the return of a department store to Streatham.

• A new dedicated High Road police team

• A deep clean of the High Road and then regular, sustained cleaning

• Removal of the central barriers and completion of plans to improve the 'streetscape' of the High Road

• More support to independent, local businesses on the High Road