Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Mary, queen of street markets

Matt Chorley
Sunday 11 December 2011 01:00 GMT
Comments

Mary Portas, self-styled Queen of Shops, thinks she has found the secret to saving Britain's struggling high streets: markets.

The businesswoman and TV presenter will tell ministers this week that a National Market Day is needed to promote street stalls of every kind, because they will attract shoppers to town centres.

"There's a market for all of us," she will say in her government review. "From a bustling 'roll up, roll up' veggie market to a thriving organic middle-class farmers' market. I believe markets can serve as fundamental traffic drivers back to our high streets."

It should be made easier for people to sell in high street markets, she says, while also calling for fewer regulations covering where markets can be held.

Nationwide, 14 per cent of shops now stand empty, but in 74 areas more than a quarter are vacant, according to the Local Data Company.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in