It is time to save lives by defining where you can park your car or market stall in Ludlow

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It’s been something of a nightmare. Since the clampdown on parking in the market area was launched last spring, people have been fined because it is simply not clear where you can and cannot park in our town centre. We also have a problem with vehicles blocking access to Quality Square, College Court and Church Street. More than 50 people live beyond the Quality Square arch, most of them elderly. We must guarantee fire and ambulance access to Quality Square throughout the day and night.

Market stalls sometimes spread onto the access area as well, especially outside White Stuff.

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April business rate hike could permanently damage the retail economy of towns like Ludlow

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A few years back, the government of the day spotted a banana skin ahead. A routine reassessment of rateable values due in 2015 would lead to some businesses paying a lot more in business rates. With London and the South East beginning to boom again after the banking crisis, that would mean a huge increase in business taxes in Tory heartlands. So, ministers kicked the revaluation into touch until after the 2015 general election. There was no point in having a row with business leaders just as electors queued at the polling booths. And, as the government pleaded at the time, the country was still struggling to get out of recession.

This was at best confused thinking. At the worst, it was cowardice. Whatever the motive, the business rates revaluation was delayed for a couple of years. It is now upon us. For Ludlow, it is becoming the biggest media story in town because the government is perilously close to permanently damaging the retail economy of towns like Ludlow.

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If approved – will the Rocks Green supermarket be a Lidl? Or a convenience store?

andybodders4 Comments

There have been last minute comments and contributions to the Rocks Green supermarket debate. Love Ludlow has submitted alternative plans for the site. Indigo Planning, acting for the developer Blackfriars, has filed a new statement making clear that retailer will not be Tesco or Aldi. These stores will not be allowed to move out to Rocks Green. Indigo is also hinting that the store will be the discounter Lidl. Lidl have told county planners that they are interested in a store on this site.

The South Planning Committee will decide whether to back the scheme or reject the plans this afternoon (Tuesday, 7 February; 14/05573/OUT).

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