Brentwood’s Conservatives have welcomed the news that no less than four excellent retailers are moving into Brentwood High Street, bringing yet more choice to Brentwood’s residents.
Golf store Nevada Bob’s, surf-wear Fat Face, Shoe Zone and kitchenware shop Steamer Trading are all making final plans to revamp stores and to move into the heart of the town, which already boasts some of the best occupancy rates in the country.
‘I was in Brentwood High Street recently and was delighted to see all the signs of ever-improving business in our High Street,’ said Cllr Phil Baker, Chairman of the Business and Economic Development Panel.
‘Nevada Bob’s is entering into its final phase of shopfitting – and advertising new jobs – and should be open in about a week. Shoe Zone, moving into the Baytree Centre, is also progressing very well. I have also seen that Fat Face and Steamer Trading are both making planning applications to move into two of our older shops, and I am especially pleased that Steamer Trading are looking to replace the former Curry’s shopfront with an in-keeping, hard-wood framed design.
‘Together with the first of the approved tables and chairs outside coffee shops, we are starting to create a new ambience in the town that I am very excited about.’
A recent survey has shown that with as few as 10% of shops in Brentwood are standing empty, the Borough is ahead of most town centres, with the national average of 13%. Brentwood’s Conservatives have been working hard over recent months to bring in new business into the town through intensive marketing and lobbying at the highest levels to bring this figure down.
‘I have spent a lot of time meeting with major national companies based in our Borough, and we are all working together to promote the excellent facilities and way of life here,’ added Cllr Baker. ‘The new Brentwood First group is going to continue to promote our Borough and attract new businesses into the town.’
‘I am very concerned – and residents tell me they are very angered - by the Liberal Democrats who have done more to try to scare businesses away than try to help. They tell residents that the High Street is in meltdown – but with plenty of new businesses moving in, and others wanting to move in, it is thriving. They say they want to support businesses – and then their leader walks away from the Renaissance Group.
‘They also spent the last few months calling for free parking – and then when challenging our budget, could not find a way to deliver it. They had wanted to introduce a tax on the night-time economy with their £3 evening levy to park. It is yet another Lib Dem broken promise. No wonder their support has plummeted nationally and locally in all the polls,’ he added.