TOWN LEADERS at Malton are meeting to address the problem of out-of-town developments which are enticing shoppers from rural communities.

The Mayor of Malton, Coun David Lloyd-Williams, who has voiced concerns in the past about the growing number of shops in the town, blames the problem on "society's rapidly-changing shopping culture".

He said: "We don't want to blow this out of proportion, but it is a national trend, and Malton wants to be on top of things and look at possible solutions."

He said the town needed to look at what incentives it could offer to attract more shoppers and traders.

In the past, everything from free parking and convenience of out-of-town shopping complexes such as Clifton Moor, near York, to "unfair competition" from charity shops - which get 100 per cent rate relief - have been blamed for the state of affairs.

The meeting comes as a recent survey suggests that 50 per cent of rural parishes in North Yorkshire do not have a local shop, and more than half are without a post office.

Figures revealed by the Rural Development Commission show that the number of villages in the county that lack basic public services is well above the national average.

At Malton there are at least 20 empty shops, plus the 18 small shops which stand empty in the town's seemingly-doomed shopping mall, The Lanes.

Mr Lloyd-Williams added: "These big shopping centres are offering a day out for all the family.

"Although Malton has a substantial amount of shops, even with the best will in the world there is not a lot to do in a day."

He said increasing car parking charges was possibly one issue that needed to be looked at.

"It's the difference between paying £1 to visit a few shops, or parking for free and having a wider selection."

The meeting on Wednesday evening will also be attended by Roderick Bushell, agent for the Fitzwilliam Estate, which owns most of the commercial property at Malton.

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