Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Mark Prisk and Stephen Mosley

Monday 3rd June 2013 Commons Chamber

[Mr Prisk]

My hon. Friend is absolutely right, in the sense that the protected right that was there is an important issue. We are keeping it closely under review, but I would welcome, as would my colleagues, any input on a local basis.

[Stephen Mosley (City of Chester) (Con)]

12. What steps he is taking to help high streets adapt to changing consumer trends.

[Damian Hinds (East Hampshire) (Con)]

18. What steps he is taking to help high streets adapt to changing consumer trends.

[Stephen Mosley]

Chester is bidding to be the city of culture 2017, and we are using our bid to encourage people to use our culture, heritage and festivals, and thus breathe life back into the high street. Does my hon. Friend agree that making shopping an enjoyable experience that is also informative and entertaining is one way of encouraging shoppers back to the high street?

[Mr Prisk]

I entirely agree with my hon. Friend, who points out that town centres have to adapt so that they are about not just shopping, but hospitality and culture. It is terribly important to get that balance right. I wish to put on the record my encouragement for Chester’s bid to be city of culture, for I know the support he is giving to it.