Croydon’s shopkeepers and local green campaigners banded together on Wednesday to urge Croydon Council into immediate action.

Green Party campaigners stood alongside local shopkeepers in the north, centre and south of the borough to call on the council to ‘opt in’ to the Sustainable Communities Act.

The act, would give the council the opportunity to charge business rates on the car parks of out of town retail parks with the money that is collected given to shops on our local high streets in the form of a discount on their business rates.

Local shops that have yellow lines or red routes outside their premises are struggling for business as passing trade has significantly reduced.

Green Party member, Shasha Khan, said: “Having spoken to many shopkeepers over the last few weeks, I am now acutely aware that local shops, which define our communities and need support to get through this recession.

“Unfortunately, local shops can’t compete on a level playing field and this Act addresses the situation.

“We all realise the importance of thriving local communities with local shops and services. Thanks to this piece of legislation, which was championed by groups such as the National Federation of Postmasters and Help the Aged, councils can put forward proposals to government which assist the economic well being of a community.

“However, time is running out for Croydon council to ‘opt in’. The London borough’s of Lambeth, Lewisham, Sutton and Kingston have joined the process and so should Croydon.”

A Croydon Council spokesman said: “ This is welcome in Croydon, although the principle of finding out what people want and then doing our best to meet their requirements is already a well-established way of working. However, it is anticipated that the council will wish to take advantage of the act.”

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