I still vividly remember the rows of boarded up shops around the town. That was terrible and something we must avoid today.

Our priority must be keeping local shops open and trading through Government measures like the 'town centre first' planning rules and business rate deferments. These schemes have helped give businesses a fighting chance.

But it is inevitable some shops will close during the global downturn. Even those shops expanding to a new site leave empty premises behind. Those empty shops are a blot on the landscape and must be tackled. I want Hastings Borough Council to think innovatively when dealing with vacant shops.

£3million and new powers are being provided by the Government to help communities find creative ways to reduce the negative impact empty shops have on the high street. The new provisions include special planning permission waivers, standard interim-use leases, and temporarily leasing shops to councils which will allow empty shops to get makeovers for use as cultural, community or learning services.

What does that mean locally? Well it could mean new community uses, new spaces for arts and crafts, new premises for small start-up businesses, community cafes, and spaces for social enterprises and the voluntary sector.

Our Council have the power to waive business rates for non-profit organisations. I want them to make use of those powers to ensure our shopping streets remain vibrant.

I have already written to the Council Chief executive asking for a meeting to discuss how we can best tackle the scourge of empty shops which have the potential to blight our highstreets and undermine consumer confidence.

For my part I will be suggesting a three point plan for empty shops. Many look shabby so we could start by bringing in individuals on community service orders to clean up. They would benefit from working to rejuvenate their community. Next there could be a real 'sprucing up' which could be carried out by creatively minded students from the further education college. And finally the premise could be utilised by a local charity or community group.

Similar schemes are up running in other parts of the country. An empty shop in Dewsbury was recently converted into a police and community centre, enabling local people to get fire or crime prevention advice and information on Sure Start, 'community safety rangers', and housing.

Hastings is fighting back against the recession. We are doing better than comparable towns and surrounding areas. But we can always be doing more and I shall be pressing the Council to be proactive in ensuring empty shops are put to good use for our community.

To keep up to date on what I'm doing stop by my website http://www.michaelfoster.org.uk/ .

You can also receive a monthly update on my activities by sending an email to mp@1066.net with 'MPFree' in the subject line.