Colville Councillor Dez O’Neill is leading the fight-back on Portobello Road. He’s concerned that this great shopping destination is loosing it’s vibrancy and unique feel. As a result he fears it could be turned into ‘any other high street’, unless action is taken now. Dez has spoken extensively with traders, residents and shoppers, and his concerns were articulated in our election campaign earlier this year.

 

Since then, Dez has done walkabouts with local Cabinet Members and Council officers, has been appointed to a council working group that is considering this issue, and has continued lobbying central government regarding planning policy. Dez said recently: “we must ensure that small niche businesses which positively impact on peoples’ quality of life must not be priced out of the area. It is imperative that national planning policy sits harmoniously with local policies, which encourage small businesses to set up and thrive in the Portobello Road”.

 

We’ll keep you updated on this.