HM Government

Business Secretary Greg Clark chaired a roundtable today (22 February 2017) with the country’s top retailers and trade bodies to discuss the sector’s priorities and how the government’s Industrial Strategy can help the industry respond to future opportunities and challenges.

At the meeting, Greg Clark stressed the vital role the UK retail sector has as a driving force in our economy, and the critical part it has to play in delivering the government’s vision of an economy which works for everyone. The Business Secretary was joined by Small Business and Consumer Minister Margot James and Jane Ellison, Financial Secretary to the Treasury. They met chief executives from the UK’s top retailers including ASOS, Boots, Shop Direct, Co-op Group, Dixons Carphone, Sainsbury’s-Argos and Superdrug as well as key industry trade bodies, the British Retail Consortium (BRC), the Federation of Small Businesses and British Independent Retailers Association.

Following the meeting, Business Secretary Greg Clark said:

“The retail sector makes an invaluable contribution to our economy, delivering £340 billion of sales in 2015 alone. It is vitally important that government and industry work closely together to help the sector create high skilled and high paying jobs across the UK, improve productivity and shape the future of retail in the UK.

“The retail roundtable was a great opportunity to discuss the sector’s priorities and how the government can support it through our Industrial Strategy, helping it build on its existing strengths, address challenges and seize new opportunities.”

Helen Dickinson OBE, Chief Executive of the British Retail Consortium said:

“We are committed to ensuring that the retail industry is able to maximise its future contribution to the UK’s success. There is a strong partnership role for the retail industry to play in assisting in the development of the government’s Industrial Strategy, to contribute to a strong British economy in the future.

“The Industrial Strategy is an opportunity to collaborate to shape the implications of the industry’s transformation for the benefit of our customers, the workforce and the government’s productivity agenda.”

During the meeting the retail sector presented their initial thinking on a potential sector deal with government, including how skills, trade and place based activity could help drive up the productivity, growth and sustainability of the sector.

As well as getting feedback from retailers on how the government can support the sector through its Industrial Strategy, other topics that were discussed included the future direction of the sector and how it can help improve UK productivity.

A full list of participants:

• Amazon
• Asda
• ASOS
• Associated British Foods (Primark)
• Association of Convenience Stores
• British Independent Retailers Association
• British Retail Consortium
• Co-op
• Dixons Carphone
• Federation of Small Businesses
• GFirst LEP
• John Lewis Partnership
• Kingfisher
• Lloyds Pharmacy
• Marks and Spencer
• WM Morrisons
• National Federation of Retail Newsagents
• Sainsbury’s-Argos
• Shop Direct
• Superdrug (Hutchison Whampoa Europe Ltd)
• Tesco
• Walgreens Boots Alliance

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A revised scheme to strengthen and safeguard sea defences – which has saved more than £1m of public money – has been given the go-ahead.

North Tyneside Council’s Planning Committee has approved proposals for the sea defence scheme at the Central Lower Promenade in Whitley Bay, which will protect homes, businesses and the surrounding area.

It means vital work can now get underway to refurbish the structure, which is around 100 years old and is reaching the end of its serviceable life.

Elected Mayor Norma Redfearn said:

This is yet more great news for Whitley Bay. The Central Lower Promenade really needs important structural work to be carried out and the general appearance of the area is in need of improvement.

The scheme promises to achieve just that by strengthening and safeguarding sea defences and giving this stretch of the coastline a major boost. It will also save a significant amount of public money and takes into account ideas and suggestions raised by residents.

The revised scheme, which has received strong public support, involves building a new rear wall and strengthening the existing sea wall on the lower promenade.

It was drawn up after the Mayor decided the original plans and proposed price was unacceptable and a value for money exercise was carried out, which has resulted in savings of more than £1m.

It has also allowed the opportunity to include some suggestions from residents.

The project, which is being funded jointly by the council and partners Northumbrian Water and the Environment Agency, will be carried out in partnership with Hartlepool Borough Council.

An open space will be created on the lower walkway with new seating, providing a great opportunity for leisure activities and events.

The design also incorporates a commercial opportunity for ‘pop-up’ style stalls/units on the lower promenade.

The wide upper footway will be refurbished and enhanced while the design also includes the Mayor’s commitment to replacing the balustrades.

The work, which is due to be complete in winter 2017, will complement the improvements being made to the Northern Promenade.

The Central Lower Promenade scheme is part of the council’s £36m Seafront Master Plan, which aims to breathe new life into the coast between Cullercoats Bay and St Mary’s Island.

As part of the Master Plan, restoration work to return the Spanish City Dome to its former glory is continuing apace, a new Premier Inn is nearing completion next door, improvement work – including new surfacing and seating – is taking place along the Northern Promenade, efforts are underway to secure funding to refurbish St Mary’s Lighthouse and a number of private sector schemes are also underway.

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