Shop Vacancies in Chesterfield Nearly Double Under Labour

Shock figures show that the number of shop vacancies on Chesterfield High Street have nearly doubled since Labour took control of the Council less than 2 years ago.

Life long resident of Chesterfield Keith Falconer says "The Liberal Democrats ran the Council from 2003-2011 and shop vacancies were down to 5%-one of the lowest levels of empty shops in the country despite the financial crash and recession of 2008-onwards. We put a huge effort into successfully boosting the economy of the Town Centre shops and Market Place.

"But in just two years since 2011 the Labour Council have done enormous damage and empty shops have already almost doubled. Labour Cllrs increasing town centre parking charges to their highest level in history has not helped as 200,000 visits less have now been made to town centre car parks. Neither has increasing Market Stall rents despite the negative impact of the botched Market Hall renovation. Taking £140,000 out of local people's pockets through this year's unnecessary Council Tax increase will cut back shoppers spending power too."

"As they showed in Government Labour only know how to tax and spend-not how to run anything in an efficient and economical way."