Here is Julia Lopez MP's Romford Recorder coumn which was published in the on Wednesday 14 May.
Over the last couple of years - with the pandemic and rise of online services - residents and businesses alike have spoken to me about their growing worry for the future of our high streets. Bank branches are closing. Post Offices have come under threat. Costs are rising for independent shops and restaurants. And shopfronts once full of life are now shuttered or replaced by front businesses.
These changes aren’t just inconvenient - they alter the whole feel of an area. A high street is more than a place to shop, it’s also where communities are built. That’s why I’ve made supporting our high streets one of my top priorities.
After Lloyds announced its intention to close its Hornchurch branch – adding to the list of bank closures across Havering - I launched a campaign to bring a banking hub to the constituency. These shared spaces allow residents to access counter services from all major banks and speak to someone face-to-face. Last week I met Link UK in Upminster as part of their final assessment seeing whether the high street is eligible for one. Let’s hope we’re successful in crossing this hurdle so we can bring in-person services back to town.
When Harold Hill’s Post Office was earmarked for closure, I worked with residents and business owners to launch a petition and make our voices heard. Thanks to that campaign, we managed to save the branch, with it due to be franchised later this year, meaning it will stay on the high street.
I’ve also been working with police and shopkeepers to tackle shoplifting and antisocial behaviour. The “Clear, Hold, Build” operation has delivered some really encouraging results in Harold Hill, and last week, I attended the very first deployment of live facial recognition in Hornchurch as local police officers continue their efforts to crackdown on prolific thieves.
I’m now talking to both Transport for London and Sainsbury’s about their toilet facilities as bathroom closures are another challenge that undermines the high street experience.
And finally, just last month I led a debate in Parliament on the crisis facing high street salons and beauticians – businesses often overlooked in policy but central to our high streets. I urged the government to review the huge pressure they are placing on the sector - destroying apprenticeships, crippling them with national insurance hikes and pulling the rug on business rates relief. We received lots of media coverage, and I sense we’ve sparked a wider discussion nationally!
Our high streets matter, so I’ll keep standing up for them, as well as those who bring them to life every day.
