A COUNCIL boss has defended his administration’s record of supporting town centre business and is urging independent retailers to do more to entice customers through their doors.

Several owners of family-run and independent shops in Colchester town centre are fearful over the future of High Street trade, citing a lack of affordable parking, the competition of big brands and the rise of online shopping.

Adrian Batchelor, the owner of the closing Upchurch Jewellers, said town centre trade is “dying”, and that Colchester Council would get “the town centre it deserves.”

But Paul Smith, leader of the council, said the authority had worked hard to support trade in the town over the festive period.

“The council has been doing a lot to support business by putting on events that will draw people into the town centre,” he said.

“We had the Christmas market, late-night shopping events, free car parking on certain nights.

“We are delighted we were able to persuade Essex County Council to make changes to the park and ride service – particularly in respect of pricing – which will have an impact on the number of people heading into the town centre.

“The council is doing an awful lot to promote the borough in terms of the events it puts on and the amount of spending and investment in places such as Castle Park and supporting Firstsite with the exhibition at the moment, which is drawing high numbers into the town.”

Mr Smith urged family-run and independent businesses to work together and take advantage of the numbers of shoppers he believes the council is drawing to Colchester.

He acknowledged rising business rates and a shift towards online shopping are harming small business owners.

But he called upon retailers to group together as a Business Improvement District, with each paying a levy on top of the business rate bill to develop projects to boost trade.

“I do think retailers could co-operate more with each other,” he said.

“I think there is a symbiotic relationship between large retailers and independent traders.

“For example someone might buy a dress in Fenwick’s and a few harder-to-find accessories from an independent.

“We are getting people into the town, but there is only so much we can do from there.

“I would strongly urge retailers to embrace the benefits of a Business Improvement District, where businesses get together and come up with ways to make their situation better.

“We have put money into advertising campaigns for the borough which have been very effective in raising the profile of the town.

“Obviously the whole decision to allow retail space outside of the town centre is really disappointing and will have a knock on effect for these retailers. That is one of the reasons we opposed Tollgate Village.”

He added: “I think it is fair to say more can be done to tackle congestion in Colchester.

“There are ongoing conversations with Essex County Council to hopefully improve congestion.

“They acted on our recommendations for the Park and Ride but haven’t acted on some others.

“We are seeing a huge amount of investment in the town centre – look at Flying Trade investing in the George and the Entertainer, and the investment in the old Co-op building.

“New shops are coming, Hotel Chocolat for example now have a much bigger outlet than the one in Chelmsford.

“All the figures show we out-perform Chelmsford.

“Online shopping is an issue, but big retailers actually draw people into the town and must be welcomed.”