Braintree: Portas Pilot Proving A Success

Businesses in Braintree have been telling Heart a project to boost the high street has seen more people shop there.

The town was one of 15 around the country to get a share of £1.5 million from the Portas Pilot scheme, set up by Queen of Shops Mary Portas. 

It was criticised earlier this year by a report that claimed a number of the towns to benefit were still struggling to see a positive impact from the money. 

However, in Braintree it appears it is a different story. 

Jonathan Chase runs the boutique La Maison. 

He has told Heart it has had a positive impact: "It can be a bit hit and miss but that's the same for any retail environment. 

"But the actual footfall has increased and it is still increasing, and the spent is tending to be higher as well." 

The money has been spent on events to get people into the town, as well as initiatives such as window dressing workshops. 

Mr Chase says this has worked well: "It's really positive to want to draw people into the town and holding different events and encouraging independent retailers is one of the main, key issues. 

"They [shoppers] can see retailers are making more of an effort to improve their shops and their shopfronts and window displays, so we've got this real positive effect which runs through to draw people into Braintree." 

He added that it is important to continue the work after the money has been spent: "You can only do so much with the Portas money but at least it's there to incetivise people and incentivise retailers to actually get together and say 'we can do something together, we can make a difference'". 

Mark Prisk MP, Minister for Housing and Local Government, who visited the town yesterday, said: "The main aim of the Portas Pilot scheme has been to harness the energy and enthusiasm of local people so they can breathe new life into the town centres and make them the heart of their communities once again. 

"I am very pleased to see the people of Braintree coming together and delivering a wide range of innovative projects such as a pop up shop, parking initiatives, and loyalty schemes that are already showing good results and bringing more customers into the town centre. 

"The Government has worked hard over the past year to help high streets thrive, simplifying planning restrictions and cutting business rates for small businesses, but it is only when local businesses, councils and retailers come together as they did in Braintree that things start happening on the ground."