Complex fix needed for 'dead' town centres, says ex-minister

A FORMER minister warned the traditional business model for Welsh town centres is “dead’, dismissing “magic bullets” such as free parking and abolishing business rates.

- By CHRIS HAINES

Labour's Lee Waters argued the economic reality of online and out-of-town shopping means a new purpose must be found for struggling high streets.

Mr Waters described town centre regeneration as a “gnarly, knotty problem’, with economics at its heart, during a debate in the Senedd.

Warning of an “unfair, unlevel playing field’) he told the Senedd: “The business model of the town centre that we all grew up with is dead”

The former transport minister said the business model has been “enormously disrupted” by supermarkets, out-of-town shopping, online retail and the pandemic.

Mr Waters warned of little evidence to support free parking, which would take revenue from councils and fail to address the 25% of people who do not have access to a car.

“The world as we knew it has gone,’ he said. “And simply abolishing business rates or providing free car parking is not going to bring it back. It's a far more complex tapestry we require...

...and I’m afraid our rather glib debate on these things is getting us nowhere.

“But the fix is much more complex and involves far more partners in a granular way.”

The Labour politician, who is standing down in May, said it is much cheaper for a business to build out of town than to redevelop a town centre property.