Agenda item

This report seeks to inform and apprise Members on the work being carried out by the regeneration and economic development teams to support local (District) High Streets.

Vicky Clark, Head of Economic Development and Growth, and Suzanne Johnson, Head of Area Regeneration (Tottenham Green, Bruce Gove and Seven Sisters), provided an update on work that had been carried out by the regeneration and economic development teams to support local (District) High Streets. It was noted that work to support high streets comprised of two key components:

-       On-going business engagement work to encourage and support high street traders groups

-       Physical/enhancement works.

In terms of business engagement and support, the Panel was informed that the High Streets and small business sector were important for meeting Haringey’s corporate growth priorities and for contributing to the well-being of the borough in the form of employment and community cohesion. Ms Clark explained that, as there was not a borough-wide Chamber of Commerce, it was imperative that the Council undertook engagement and outreach work to sustain and encourage growth.

Ms Clark advised that the council worked directly with the existing High Street business fora of the Wood Green Business Forum, Green Lane Traders Association and Tottenham Traders Partnership. It was noted that many of the traders groups formed when faced with a specific issue such as crime or car parking and would fade away when the matter had been resolved. For example, in 2016, the Council provided co-ordinated support to the traders of Wightman Road who had been affected by road works.

In response to further questions, Ms Clark advised that traders in Hornsey High Road were looking to form a business group whereas those in Muswell Hill and Myddleton Road were established and focused on organising their own local events without much involvement from the Council.

During the discussion a number of issues were considered, including:

-       The impending diminution of the Rate Support Grant

-       The Council’s Business Rates Relief Policy. 

-       The support provided by the Council in relation to Small Business Saturday – a national campaign that takes place on the first Saturday in December.

-       The regular meetings held between the Council’s Chief Executive and the Haringey Business Alliance – an umbrella group representing the business fora and traders groups across the borough.

It was acknowledged that winning the trust and cooperation of High Streets and small businesses through business engagement and outreach work was a slow and laborious process. However, it was noted that recent engagement / interceding activities had resulted in increased footfall in the High Streets, thereby improving the financial and employment sustainability of the businesses and further investments from the businesses in the local area.         

Ms Clark concluded by informing the Panel that business groups were also provided with proactive support from the Council to undertake specific streetscape improvement works.

The Panel considered the tables on pages 41-43 of the agenda. This information summarised schemes that were being implemented and those enhancements that had been completed over the last decade. It was also noted that Myddleton Road had been voted the London winner in the Great British High Street of the Year Awards (2016).

AGREED: That the work being undertaken to support local (District) High Streets across the borough be noted.