In market towns across Somerton and Frome, the high street is the engine room of the local economy, but also the hub of the community – as was evident at the brilliant Eat Festival in Castle Cary that I was fortunate to attend last month. Yet many high street businesses have suffered through the forced closures of the past year. I asked the Communities Secretary whether he agrees that support for high street businesses is essential to achieve both fast economic recovery and to maintain strong communities.
