Nuneaton MP Marcus Jones today hailed the recent Parliamentary debate on town centres as a ‘real success.’

The Nuneaton MP, who called for the debate in the Commons, lead the debate which was so popular with MPs that fifty-four backbenchers contributed to the six hour debate.

The debate, which focussed on the Mary Portas review of the High Street, saw MPs from across the country raise issues in front of Communities and Local Government Minister, Grant Shapps.

In opening the debate during a twenty minute speech Marcus set the scene on problems besetting many High Streets, citing the recent demise of companies such as Blacks Leisure and Peacocks.

He then discussed a number of solutions to the problems that our town centres face in the context of measures suggested by Mary Portas. Marcus also found time to speak about Nuneaton’s street market and gave his views on car parking charges.

Marcus, delighted with the amount of interest in the debate, said: “It was fantastic to see so many MPs contribute to a debate which has really started to raise the profile of the issues that our town centres face.

“Certain themes came through time after time and car parking charges were a recurring theme and considered by most MPs as a barrier to maintaining and growing our town centres which are competing against out-of-town stores with free parking.

“The debate gave the Minister food for thought and will, I am sure, help inform the Government in forming policy in their response to the Portas Review.”

The Government response to the Mary Portas review is expected in early spring 2012.