Give away shops to attract high street chains, say Conservatives 27/05/05

Tottenham Conservatives have this week called on Haringey Council to regenerate Tottenham High Road by giving away commercial premises to high street chains such as Clarke's, HMV, Starbucks and WH Smiths - to kick-start regeneration.

Justin Hinchcliffe, Chairman of Tottenham Conservatives, comments:

"We have to be realistic; high street chains are not going to pay good money to invest in a run-down area like Tottenham. Labour-run Haringey talks about regenerating the High Road, but nothing ever happens. We propose that Haringey Council hands over commercial premises to high street chains to kick-start regeneration".

Over the past four years, names such as Boots, KFC and Power House have deserted Tottenham. Conservatives say that Bruce Grove has become a 'ghost town' and that professional people are put off of moving to Tottenham because of the lack of local shopping amenities and dirty streets.

"Tottenham, with its excellent transport links, should be an ideal place to locate. But the Council seems hell-bent on keeping Tottenham down. Our High Road is without big names. We do not even have a bookshop. Unless the Council can attract the big chains, provide shoppers with more opportunities and sweep the streets, Tottenham won't get any better”, Justin Hinchcliffe added.

ENDS.