University News Last updated 12 June 2015
The 'Nando-isation' of our high streets will drive out independent food retailers unless councils step in and help small businesses, Michelin starred chef Glynn Purnell told a Birmingham City University debate.
Speaking about the loss of independent artisan food retailers in Birmingham, the star of the Great British Menu said local council business rates were forcing small shops out of the market.
Recent figures released by the Local Data Company (LDC) revealed that West Midland high streets have double the rate of empty shops found in London.
Restauranteur Purnell was speaking at a Birmingham City University hosted debate, 'What Birmingham Means to Me', alongside TV news anchor Bob Warman and four times World Kickboxing Champion Kash Gill.
Mr Warman, who has presented Central TV News for more than 40 years, said the commercial viability of businesses in the city centre is being further undermined by the town planners' hostility to roads and cars. "Birmingham built its name on building cars but it now seems to hate the car by poorly accommodating for them in the city," he said. "Our parking permits are now the most expensive in the country."
The news anchor also criticised planners for their obsession with new buildings: "Birmingham keeps reinventing itself at a phenomenal rate, throwing up new buildings without thinking about it. We're blasting away the city's history while we should be protecting it."
Mr Warman said he had now seen three libraries in the city, with two torn down in the past half a century.
The debate followed the opening of a 'Mr Birmingham' photo exhibition by a lecturer at the University, Emma Love, whose work celebrates the achievements of some of the city's most celebrated personalities.