Support
Grafton Area of Major Change SPD 2017
Representation ID: 31954
Received: 03/11/2017
Respondent: Cambridge City Council
Cambridge needs more independent shops, and I'm pleased this is recognised in the SPD. For all the benefits of chain stores, they can lead to clone towns and also tend to draw money out of the city. Although planning can't require independent stores, providing smaller retail spaces is a step in the right direction.
It's also worth bearing in mind that the city centre is being used less for low-end shopping, due to the more expensive stores being opened there. I think the city centre SPD will support this. It's worth considering adding market stalls here near the cheaper stores.
Cambridge needs more independent shops, and I'm pleased this is recognised in the SPD. For all the benefits of chain stores, they can lead to clone towns and also tend to draw money out of the city. Although planning can't require independent stores, providing smaller retail spaces is a step in the right direction.
It's also worth bearing in mind that the city centre is being used less for low-end shopping, due to the more expensive stores being opened there. I think the city centre SPD will support this. It's worth considering adding market stalls here near the cheaper stores.