7:00am Monday 18th February 2013
THURROCK MP Jackie Doyle-Price has supported town centres such as Grays – but said they have to evolve if they want to survive.
She said: “Our traditional high streets still have much to offer.
“If you look at Grays, there are still a large number of independent retailers that you wouldn’t find in centres such as Lakeside.
“What our high streets need to do is play to their strengths by highlighting their distinct offering. But they won’t do that by being a 9 to 5 operation.
“When the students arrive in the new campus, there will be nothing for them to do after 5pm. That is a missed opportunity.
“More could be done to encourage people to spend time there.”
Jackie also rounded on Grays Market, saying it is “shabby” and not serving its purpose.
The MP added: “I would like to see a radical rethink of how we could use the street space to hold events which would attract people in to the town centre.
“We need to consider if the market helps, or gets in the way.”
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