The current situation is a cause of great concern for us all.
Our Vision Statement is: “To maintain Hoylake as an environmentally attractive seaside town and socially inclusive place to live, work in and to visit. To be a healthier, well-housed community with a thriving economy which values creativity and entrepreneurialism. To support a vibrant town centre, which meets the day-to-day needs of local people and provides high-quality food, drink and entertainment opportunities for residents and visitors. To support the town centre and the Carr Lane Industrial Estate as the foci for a wide range of easily accessible jobs.”
More than ever, this vision must remain undimmed.
Whilst current uncertainty for businesses is inevitably going to be hugely damaging, there are things Hoylake Vision may be able to work towards now with the longer term in mind.
In the short term, Hoylake Vision would like to suggest that landlords of business premises offer tenants a rent break with immediate effect, if they are in a position to do so, until the current situation has passed. These are exceptional times and more than ever we need to do what we can to support the economy, protect jobs and livelihoods. These businesses are closing their doors selflessly, for the safety of their staff and of the wider community.
In the longer term, we would like to formally call on Wirral Council to work with us in supporting a fast track planning system for local high street premises and businesses, as soon as the worst of this has passed.
When that time comes, we will need to be prepared to support existing businesses to get back on their feet as quickly as possible, but also to support entrepreneurs in the setting up of new businesses.
This is likely to mean supporting planning applications for changes of use of existing premises.
If it is clear that those planning applications will lead to future economic and environmental sustainability, with more jobs, a broad and balanced range of products and services, while protecting residential amenity, the management group of Hoylake Vision believe the forum, and the wider community, should support them.
The forum must demonstrate that all objectives, priorities and policies in the Neighbourhood Development Plan are evidenced by a process of public consultation.
We are therefore asking for your comments on this, which will become part of the public record.
Please email info@hoylakevision.org.uk with your thoughts, ideas and suggestions.
Our thoughts are with all those local businesses who are finding current events difficult. Right now, and especially once we are through the other side of this, “Shopping local” will be the best way to re-energise those businesses and build the economy back up as quickly as possible.
Thank you
The Management Group
Hoylake Vision Community Planning Forum
