DEFIANT traders in Chard insist there are reasons to be cheerful in the face of recent shop closures, but have called on the help of local officials.

Les Gilbert, of Chard News, has challenged South Somerset District Council to review its parking charges alongside a number of other suggestions to improve the high street.

In a letter to The News, Mr Gilbert outlined his vision for Chard and called upon all councils, businesses and residents to work in tandem.

“I’m afraid I cannot entirely agree with the sentiment of the rather negative article on the future of the town centre,” he said.

“Of course, there is absolutely no doubt that with the rise of the internet (and) out-of-town supermarkets, high streets are facing great challenges. However, wherever there are challenges there are of course almost always opportunities.

“Unrealistic rents and punitive business rates have long since been a problem and government does little to make it attractive to small businesses to employ people.

“Of course county, district and town councillors have a part to play and without doubt they need to take action to provide an environment that attracts both retailers and shoppers to the town.

“We retailers have a part to play, but what we would like most is a review of the local parking charges. Shopping habits have changed beyond recognition over the last five or 10 years but South Somerset’s approach to car parking has remained the same and it is now completely out of date for towns like Chard.

“Maybe create true shoppers’ car parks, offer free car parking at off-peak times and offer a cheap, or even free, 30-minute stay and we would start to make Chard a more attractive place for people to pop in to visit.

“There are many other things that could be done. It would be lovely to see the market ex - tended and much more actively marketed, and I have long since said that Chard’s social media presence is woeful when compared to towns like Lyme Regis. There is absolutely no reason at all why Chard cannot be every bit as vibrant as Ilminster, Crewkerne and Axminster – but there comes a time when we do need to stop talking and actually do something about it.”