COMMUNITY and business leaders are calling for action to save Weymouth town centre from a terminal decline as growing numbers of shops become empty.

Rising rents and the credit crunch have been blamed for the downturn – which has left several stores in the town’s pedestrian thoroughfares closed and empty.

Politicians and local interest groups have called for a change in attitudes among private landlords over the cost of private rents and greater creativity when it comes to keeping the town attractive.

The government has also just announced new initiatives to breathe new life into town centres – including using empty shops as art galleries, cafes or advice centres.

Communities Secretary Hazel Blears proposed the ideas at a business summit yesterday.

They included speeded-up planning procedures, extra powers for councils to intervene and funding worth up to £3 million to subsidise innovative schemes.

Commenting on the downturn, Nigel Reed, the new president of Weymouth Chamber of Commerce, said: “There will always be an element of movement in shops in town centres, which have an ebb and flow to them.

“My concern in this recession would be about some of the institutional organisations who often own these premises.

“I think they need to look at their rent charges.

“A lot of town centre shops are owned by pension funds and investment houses that have nothing to do with the town.

“My view is that rents are still very high for these shops, especially when you come to take business rates into account as well.

“I would like to see some of these landlords reviewing their rent processes.”

South Dorset MP Jim Knight said that it was crucial that the town centre remained busy.

“As we go through these tough economic times, it is really important that Weymouth town centre remains an attractive vibrant place for residents and visitors alike.

“Weymouth and Portland Borough Council could perhaps learn lessons from other towns in similar situations.

“For example, the council in Dursley in Gloucestershire has commissioned local artists to display their work at a parade of closed-down shops. Transforming the closed shops into a gallery has ensured the area remains attractive.”

Borough council economy spokesman, Coun Geoff Pether-ick, said: “It’s all very well to say shops are closing because of the economy, but what needs to be done is to establish the reason for the decline.

“Once that’s been established we can look at what should be done to address the problem. I’ve been working closely with the local Chamber of Commerce to look into the situation.”