The Shop Local campaign, run by Stuart Anderson MP, which took place from July to December last year, received nearly 4,500 responses from constituents across South Shropshire.

The MP says he’s delighted with both the scale of responses and the quality of ideas and feedback given to support local high streets.

After listening to constituent feedback, Stuart has said that he has three pledges to ‘save our high streets’ including securing free parking, cutting business costs and cleaning up high streets.

Nearly 50% constituents reported that they are discouraged from the high street because of parking arrangements. Stuart will campaign for free parking on South Shropshire’s high streets – to improve access and boost businesses.

Over 200 businesses also took part in the survey, with many reporting energy prices and tax hikes as being major concerns for their business. As a result, over a third are feeling less optimistic than they were the previous year. Stuart has said that he will campaign to cut business costs, backing the Conservative party campaign to abolish business rates and reverse the recent rises in National Insurance Contributions.

Stuart also continues to maintain a Business Support Finder. This signposts businesses to a range of grants, tax reliefs, and competitions that they may be eligible to apply for.

Many residents raised the state of their local high street, pointing out abandoned shops, badly kept pavements and litter as being discouraging for visitors. Stuart has pledged to work with local community groups to help clean up the high street.

Finally, Stuart wanted to thank all the thousands who took part to share their views, with so many excellent suggestions and ideas being proposed.

Stuart Anderson MP said: “I have been blown away by the level of engagement from constituents to my Shop Local campaign. What is clear is that we all care deeply for our high street and want to see businesses flourish there. After nearly 4500 results, my focus will be on three key areas that have been raised by residents. I will campaign for more free parking, to cut business costs and to clean up our high street.

“Together with local partners, I hope that we can revitalise our local communities and unleash rural prosperity.”