TWO years ago this week, I was in Barry to launch a plan to revitalise our high streets. Wales is often referred to as a ‘nation of shopkeepers’, so the high street is a useful barometer in assessing the health of the Welsh economy.

In Wales the shop vacancy rate is substantially higher than the UK average and sadly our high streets have seen a gradual decline for at least a decade. Vacant and dilapidated shop fronts blight many of our high streets, deterring shoppers and attracting petty crime.

Worse still, high streets now compete in the internet age where the weekly shop can be done online, and when out-of-town shopping centres offer outlet prices and free parking.

The High Street in Barry is an example of the kind of community-centred hub a high street can be. With a healthy mix of small businesses, restaurants and independent shops, it provides a model – even if there is still plenty to do to support local trade. Like all high streets in Wales, it suffers from the same issues which affect growth – prohibitive business rates, lack of parking and poor transport links to name a few.

When we launched our ‘High Street Strategy’ we hoped that our ideas would provoke a nationwide debate and prompt action to restore its traditional place at the heart of the local community. I’ve been pleased with the positive response from the Welsh Government, who are responsible for regeneration of this kind but to date little action has been forthcoming and we still find ourselves fighting the same battles.

Earlier this summer, we met with small businesses throughout Wales to sign a joint letter calling for an extension of the business rate relief scheme in Wales. Our proposals would remove nearly all small businesses from paying rates altogether. Rates are a massive obstacle to the growth of small companies and they make it extremely difficult for them to develop, expand and create new jobs.

Around 70 businesses in Wales signed the letter – including several in Barry, Penarth and Cowbridge – and there is clear support for the idea.

I will continue to champion Barry High Street, liaising with local shoppers and businesses, as well as local authorities and interest groups such as the Chamber of Trade.

We outlined a number of sensible proposals to help with this and it is clear that there needs to be a constructive partnership between local authorities and the Welsh Government to bring high streets back to heart of local communities.

We could include experimenting with free parking initiatives to make local shopping more convenient and competitive, particularly in the face of the rise of out of town shopping centres. A night time strategy would also boost local trade, as well as a dedicated high street manager.

Years of neglect, a tough economic climate and a lack of will from the Welsh Labour Government have sent our high streets on a spiral of decline. Despite the gloom, our high streets do have a great deal of potential to deliver jobs and prosperity, and to be safe and vibrant centres of community activity.