SUPPORTING shops in the city centre against the force of the internet "is not a lost cause", a leading city councillor has said.
Nick McDonald, portfolio holder for jobs and growth at Nottingham City Council, admitted the vacancy rate for shops was higher than he would like, but said that solid plans were in place to deal with the problem.
Speaking at a meeting of the Executive Board City Centre Committee yesterday, Mr McDonald said: "It's true the vacancy rate is at a higher level than it has been in the past.
"But despite out-of-town shopping centres, the internet and the growth in supermarkets, the high street is not a lost cause.
"People are coming to the city centre for different reasons than they were ten years ago – people are coming now for a retail and leisure experience and we are looking at this kind of offer in our strategy."
The plans include looking at boosting the independent sector in the city, providing a business mentoring service and inspiring retailers to network and share ideas.
David Bishop, the council's corporate director of development, said: "This approach is a good idea and we have worked really well to come up with really practical steps to take."