We want more people to discover the charms of independent retailers, so that they can continue to thrive.
People no longer buy coffee and a snack on their way into work, do not go out at lunchtime, and often stay in the premises late into the evening.
It is a sad and all-too-obvious fact that most of the decision makers I meet in my role as Mayor are people who look like me.
“The argument is a strong argument. I think the deal is a strong deal. I wouldn’t have taken up my post if I didn’t believe that the deal delivers the Brexit vote.”
I, like many colleagues, react badly to the Party’s decision to try and strong-arm me into voting for this deal.
The Government has enacted a broad range of measures to help companies large and small grow, create jobs, and boost their local economies.
The Chancellor has been fortunate that the public finances have improved substantially at a particularly convenient time.
The key to a good Brexit is empowering UK entrepreneurs to talk to their European counterparts and become ambassadors for Downing Street’s plan.
But although the era of austerity is coming to a close, we are emphatically not rejecting the need for ongoing discipline with the public finances.
Not only are Business Rates too high,but the system of appeals to the Valuation Office is too complicated and remote.
Nevertheless, tax alone won’t solve our challenge. Instead we must reshape the high street experience – as we’re starting to do in the West Midlands.
During this Budget run-up, many of those I met raised business rates as a killer, plus council tax, the apprenticeship levy, parking charges and corporation tax, too.
It has virtually zero business rates for small firms. The planning system is less skewed towards shopping centres and retail parks.
We haven’t had it easy, but we are resilient and resourceful. Our appetite for change is bad news for the party that took us for granted.
Which candidate can devise and push through the policies needed to unite the Tory shires with the Leave voters of the north?