Number of empty shops increasing in Redbridge

Picture: Google Maps

The number of empty shops in Ilford has more than doubled in a year.

It has gone up from 32 in 2016/17 to 78 in 2017/18.

Redbridge also follows that trend with the number of empty shops going up from 88 to 134 over the same period.

The figures form the basis of a report looking at how to help struggling high streets.

Author of the report, London Assembly member Keith Prince has put forward some measures which he believes the Mayor of London should take to boost London’s high streets.

“Our city’s high streets are vitally important; they help to drive economic growth, boost employment and help to strengthen London’s vibrant communities.”

“People are changing the way they are shopping, instead of going out to the high street as much as they used to, a lot of them now are going online and buying their stuff on the internet.”

“The mayor should be encouraging boroughs to be sensible when it comes to the parking fees and how people can park because that is their way of getting to the high street and if they can’t get to their high street for a reasonable cost then why wouldn’t you go online?”

Other measures mentioned in the report are:

Resurrecting the High Street Fund.  The programme, first introduced by former Mayor of London Boris Johnson awarded grants to local authorities, business organisations and community groups to deliver projects to boost high streets and town centres.

Bringing back the Outer London Fund. This was another programme first introduced by Boris Johnson when he was Mayor of London which awarded grants to local authorities and partners to improve high streets.

Encouraging local themed events. The Mayor should provide funding to help boroughs hold themed events encourage people to visit high streets and town centres. 

Developing more housing on high streets and in town centres. The Mayor should adopt several initiatives to get more homes developed close to local shops.

Keith Prince says, “The Mayor himself has recognised that he can play a leading role in transforming our high streets and boosting economic growth. But he could and should be doing much more.”

“This report sets out how the Mayor can invest money in a targeted way support the high street and make our shops more accessible to Londoners. By taking some simple steps Sadiq Khan could give our high streets the support they are crying out for”.