Bradford is on the right track in taking steps to revitalise the high street, as a new report by TV retail guru Mary Portas is unveiled.

Moves to revive struggling high streets and shopping centres have been formulated by the BBC programme-maker who was hired by Prime Minister David Cameron nine months ago to head a review to tackle the increase in shop vacancy rates and to attract more shoppers.

The report has been welcomed by councillors, retail organisations and businesses, who say that many initiatives being employed in Bradford fulfil a number of the 28 recommendations made by the Mary Queen Of Shops star.

Among these are proposals for a relaxation of rules to make it easier to set up market stalls and the introduction of a national market day.

Bradford has a good track record in providing markets, which have been seen to pull customers into city-centre shops.

“We have done a lot in terms of markets and events in the city centre, particularly over the past 18 months, to try to attract people into the retail heart,” says Councillor David Green, Bradford Council’s executive member for regeneration and economy.

“We have had a lot of positive feedback. What we have to do is align them more closely to the existing businesses to make sure people do not just come to to the market and go home afterwards.”

New businesses need to be given tax breaks, says the review, as companies cannot afford to base themselves on Britain’s high street. In Bradford, help is available for those starting out. “The Regional Growth Fund, to which the Council contributes, is aimed at supporting new-start businesses in the city centre through help with business rates,” says Coun Green.

“The report contains many good ideas, some of which we are already implementing and others which we will look at more closely,” he adds.

While backing the idea of using markets to help attract customers, Val Summerscales, secretary of Bradford Chamber of Trade, stresses that regulations in setting up stalls should not be loosened too much, and the key was making sure that they complemented shops.

“We have a number of successful markets already, such as the Continental market and Christmas market. These complement the exisiting traders. The setting-up and running of markets should not be seen to impinge on existing shops and traders. What is vital is that we work together, as we work with the Council and traders.”

A key focus is parking, the cost of which is an issue across the UK. One of the most radical suggestions is a tax for car parks at large out-of-town shopping centres in a bid to encourage shoppers back to the town centre.

“We have said that there is a correlation between free parking and an increase in the number of people shopping,” says Val.

This month, councillors and business leaders hit out at proposals to scrap free on-street parking in Keighley, Bingley, Shipley and Ilkley. Across the district, a review of parking is ongoing.

The report also recommends the creation of more multi-functional ‘social and shopping’ high streets, with businesses such as gyms and creches sited on high streets.

“This has to be looked at carefully,” says Val. “For instance, people visiting gyms often carry large holdalls and want to park close by.”

She adds: “In Bradford, the core shopping area is already a mix of different types of business.

“We are doing many of these things already,” says Val. “We are aware that standing still and and doing nothing is not an option.”

Other recommendations from Mary include exploring disincentives to prevent landlored from leaving units vacant, and setting up visionary ‘town teams.’ Suzanne Johns, managing director of Little Germany-based Approach PR, says: “Town centres should be the heart of any shopping district. I’ve never understood why Bradford has an ‘out-of-town’ shopping centre on the edge of the city, “Bradford has sabotaged its own city centre by developing two retail complexes that by their very nature are designed to encourage people to park and shop out of the city centre.

“With shopping also being done online, there’s less reason than ever to leave the house, so I do agree with Mary, city centres need to offer soul, personality and so much more than just attractive shop windows.

“Bradford’s investment in Centenary Square with the City Park and mirror pool is a step towards making space for a new generation of social and lifestyle shoppers – people who are looking for more substance, quality and a more relaxed experience from their city centres.”

Carl Baldwin, retail director at Horsforth-based programme management consultancy Turner and Townsend, says: “Anything which can bring the bustle back to the high street is to be welcomed – and Mary Portas’s recommendations are a good start.

“Town centre shopping should have two key advantages over bland out-of-town malls – personality and convenience.”