Chichester District Council ‘firmly committed to supporting high streets’ despite shop closures
Chichester District Council (CDC) has stated it is ‘firmly committed to supporting high streets’ despite a number of shops closing in the city.
A number of shops have closed in the city centre over the past month, including Franco Manca and Blacks, both in South Street.
Following the closure of Franco Manca, one commenter on the Observer’s Facebook page said they were concerned about the decline in evening activity in the city centre, writing: “If you visit Chichester after 7pm in the evening, there are empty restaurants and very few people, a once vibrant city is on its knees, so it is no surprise that businesses are struggling to survive.”
According to LoopNet, a commercial property estate agent, Chichester currently has 14 shops and retail units to rent in the city.
The council’s 2024 regeneration guide acknowledged that the city centre’s retail offer had declined over the past decade, with competition from online shopping, out-of-town retail parks and neighbouring cities contributing to a number of long-term vacant units. The guide also stated that rents within the city were ‘too high, reducing viability for businesses to operate there’.
Responding to concerns over vacant shop units and recent closures in the city centre, Chichester District Council stated many of the issues affecting the high street reflected wider national trends and highlighted its ongoing regeneration efforts.
A CDC spokesperson said: "As a council, we remain firmly committed to supporting our high streets, enabling businesses across the district to grow, and attracting inward investment. While the decision on where to establish and operate a business lies with each organisation, we actively promote the district as an attractive, strong and competitive location for investment and growth.
“Like many high streets across the country, Chichester city centre faces a number of challenges, including changes in the retail offer, long-term vacant units, pressures in the evening and night time economy sector, and obstacles to inward investment and regeneration.
“We understand a number of new businesses are due to occupy some of the empty units within the city, including the Franco Manca unit, and we’re pleased to see that Montezuma’s Chocolates are returning to the city.”
The council spokesperson also emphasised its investment strategy, arguing that it has implemented a range of measures to promote business growth, encourage inward investment and increase city-centre activity.
They said: “This year, we have allocated over £200,000 in grant funding to support local businesses. This includes initiatives aimed at supporting business growth and improving environmental sustainability. In addition, our Inward Investment Grant supports projects such as bringing long-term vacant premises back into active and productive use and last year, we launched an Evening and Nighttime Economy grant, specifically aimed at boosting the evening and night-time economy which is still open to high street based businesses.”
The council said it had commissioned assessments into potential hotel, arts and live music developments to support future investment.
The council also stated it has ‘limited influence over private-sector decisions’, including rents, business occupancy and closures.
“It is important to recognise that the council does not own or control the vast majority of commercial premises in the city centre”, the CDC spokesperson added.
"Decisions about whether businesses open, remain in, relocate from or close premises are commercial decisions made by individual businesses.
"Likewise, rents are set by private landlords and negotiated between landlords and tenants without any involvement from the council. Business rates are set by the Government and the majority of this money goes to them. As the rates are based on the rateable value of each property, small businesses occupying these units often qualify for relief. As a council, we work hard with all small businesses across the district to ensure they maximise their business rates relief entitlement.”
The authority said it is ‘committed to proactively working with businesses, property owners and partners to ensure our high streets remain vibrant, resilient, and attractive places to live, work, and visit’.