The retail sector in Wales is a vital component of our economy and communities. Our high streets are the heart of our towns and cities, and so it is disappointing that the Labour Welsh Government and Labour run councils across RCT, the Vale and Cardiff are failing to recognise the needs of the retail sector and support and invest in them to make them viable and attractive.
When I speak to residents, they often raise concerns about the lack of public toilets as a reason for not visiting local shops and small independent businesses, which rely heavily on their support. This is particularly true for those with hidden disabilities, older people and young families who often require the facilities at short notice.
There are some toilets in larger chain coffee shops and cafes, however, these cannot always be relied on and often require you to purchase an item before using the facilities.
As well as competing with people choosing to shop online, our high streets also have to deal with more and more shops being vacant which puts customers off visiting. Just over one in six shops in Wales is lying empty, which has a knock-on effect on new businesses not wanting to open in the area if the footfall continues to decrease.
Councils and private car park companies do not help the situation with limited parking options, expensive hourly charges and unreliable public transport. To make matters worse, car park payment machines in RCT do not take card or contactless payments and instead often require the exact change- something that many people no longer carry.
Small independent businesses make our towns and cities unique, yet, without support and investment by councils and the Welsh Government, more and more shops, cafes and businesses will have to shut, leaving our high streets bare. In the Senedd Chamber, I have been championing the need to increase public toilets and provide better parking options and holding the Welsh Government to account on this.
ENDS
