BUSINESS chiefs are calling for urgent action to rescue Flintshire’s high streets.
The county’s independent traders are fighting to survive the economic crisis and council bosses have set up grants and a series of roadshows in a bid to arrest the decline in smaller shops.
Dubbed “Helping the High Street”, it will see traders offered money to improve the appearance of their shops in a bid to attract passing trade.
Mike Learmond, regional co-ordinator for the Federation of Small Businesses, said traders were being squeezed by financial pressures and welcomed the council’s approach to the problem.
He said: “Urgent action is needed. Our high streets face extinction.
“Town centres have been particularly hard hit, because when money is tight people stop spending. There has been very little from government to help the retail sector.
“It is a very difficult trading environment. I would urge all retailers to take any help available to them.”
Helen Parry, who runs the Party Shop on Mold’s High Street, said online shopping and out-of-town retail parks had hit traders hard.
Mr Learmond said the key to attracting shoppers to town centres was to keep them looking vibrant.
He said: “People would be surprised if they come back to town centres – there are a lot of interesting shops about.
“Many traders are finding it difficult. As one shop goes it is almost like a self-fulfilling prophecy. People stop coming to the high street if it is full of cheap shops, charity shops and empty shops.
“It is refreshing that Flintshire is taking the initiative and offering help to retailers. Flintshire is showing the way on this.”