The Government's response to the Mary Portas' Review includes positive steps but doesn't live up to her bigger ambition to revitalise our high streets. 

Tom Ironside, British Retail Consortium Director of Business
"We're waiting for the government to share the full detail of its response since there is a difference between accepting recommendations and putting them into action. We were pleased with many of Mary Portas' findings, which set out a bold vision for the future of the high street, but we're concerned the government hasn't yet matched her level of ambition with its response.

"There are some positives. We're pleased there are no indications the government is intent on undermining consumer choice by penalising other shopping locations but nor is there much support for town centres. It's good to see extra funding to help Business Improvement Districts and to support councils in dealing with empty properties but this doesn't address the core challenges. Bolder moves which could've made a significant difference are missing, particularly in the light of the extra GBP350m (US$559.4m) retailers will have to find because of this year's business rates rise."

Jane Bennett, The Forum of Private Business Head of Campaigns
"While it is refreshing to see the government has embraced the spirit of the Portas Review and clearly understands the importance of the British high street, we feel that it hasn't nearly gone far enough.

"The issues of parking and business rates, we believe, are absolutely crucial to the future success of the high street and the small, independent retailers who ply their trade there. And while there has been movement here, it is not nearly bold or brave enough."

Jacqui Joyce, head of retail at law firm Thomas Eggar
"Much of what Mary Portas outlines in her review makes absolute sense for retail and clearly something radical needs to be done to bring life back into our high streets and support local retailers.

"However, whilst encouraging landlords to support the Commercial Lease Code is to be recommended, there may be controversy over the idea of 'negligent' landlords and financial penalties being imposed for leaving premises vacant. This is a chicken and egg scenario. Often landlords do not have money to invest in premises (particularly where tenants have been in breach of their repairing obligations) unless they have rental income.

"To punish landlords further when times are already tight for them as well as retailers could be counterproductive. Also, whilst the concept of 'Empty Shop Management Orders' may sound appealing, where will the cash strapped councils find the funding to upgrade properties?"

Jonathan de Mello, Head of Retail Consultancy at CBRE
"The government is right in stopping short of implementing Portas' recommendation for out-of-town applications to be signed off at national level. Shopping malls such as Westfield are major investors and employers - the regeneration of White City and Stratford are testament to that - and it is clear that shoppers are voting with their feet if you look at the popularity of such covered, heated malls with all the main retail chains under one roof."

"The locally-driven initiatives such as social enterprises and co-operatives backed by the government and Portas will perhaps result in more viable centres in some areas - such as London and the South East - but it equally needs to be recognised that some high streets are beyond saving. In these locations, structural change should be promoted, such as easily enabling conversion of vacant commercial space to residential space. This will create more communities in now derelict areas, and eventually could lead to the re-introduction of retail - supermarkets and restaurants for example - to service these new communities"