NEWS
Supermarket competition report published

In what may be seen as a blow by many campaigning on behalf of town centre-based independent retailers, the Competition Commission has said that adverse effects reported in town centres could not solely be put down to the effect of supermarkets.
The Commission was presenting the provisional findings of their inquiry into the UK grocery market.
They are considering recommending a change to the planning system that would facilitate greater availability of land for development outside town centres. In particular they are inviting views on whether the planning system should distinguish edge-of-centre sites from out-of-centre sites, recognizing that edge-of-centre stores can benefit the town centre, and also whether the needs test for supermarkets should be amended.
To help Action for Market Towns to frame a response on these issues, it would be helpful if members could e-mail with details of the impact of supermarket development in or around their own towns. Send your views to: supermarket impact
A news release summarising the report is available at report summary while the full report is at full report

NEWS
New book analyses market town challenges

Major challenges facing market towns are the subject of a new book by researchers at the University of Newcastle
‘Market Towns - Roles, challenges and prospects’ by Neil Powe, Trevor Hart and Tim Shaw analyses the characteristics of over 200 towns, with in-depth studies of eleven towns in different parts of England.
The book looks at critical issues facing towns, including increased personal mobility, aging populations, housing growth and affordability, employment and retail competitiveness. It also explores the future role of market towns as sustainable
communities and how they might best assure their futures.
For more details of the book and how to order it, go to weblink:

Market towns book