Cornwall Council and St Austell Town Council must act to prevent more town centre shops closing or relocating.

Currently, more than of 20% of the shop premises within 1 mile of St Austell town centre are empty and more seem to be becoming vacant every month. Many of these premises have been empty for more than 5 years and have subsequently reverted from being shops to becoming billboards!

The local councils need to reduce business rates on all town centre properties and put pressure on property owners to reduce the rents that they charge, to prevent any further businesses vacating the area and to encourage new businesses in.

Empty shops…

• Do not pay rent or full business rates (surely 80% of something is better than 100% of nothing)
• Are more likely to suffer from vandalism or neglect, allowing them to fall into disrepair, thus making them uninhabitable
• Blight the town's appearance, discouraging shoppers and tourists from visiting the area
• Reduce the range of products and services available to shoppers, thus encouraging them to take their business elsewhere

Any reductions in business rates and rents should be guaranteed for a minimum fixed period of at least 5 years and should commence as soon as feasibly possible.