A CAMPAIGN has been launched to save Billericay High Street after four independent shops shut in just two months.

MP John Baron, Billericay Town Council and the Billericay Chamber of Commerce have joined forces to urge residents to spend and preserve the town’s main strip.

The message is clear: “use them or lose them”.

The casualties so far are blind maker, Bells Blinds, two clothes shops, Exact and Viva, and hire shop Twolyn Hire.

These followed the Woolworths closure in December, which Iceland intends to take over.

Peter Bowditch, chairman of Billericay Town Council, said: “We are concerned about retail spaces becoming empty as the recession kicks in.

“We have been campaigning with the Chamber of Commerce to do what we can to make people aware they should support local retailers in the high street. But in the event of closures, we want to see the premises taken up by a suitable range of businesses.

“I don’t want the high street to go downhill, if things get boarded up then the atmosphere changes rapidly.”

Mr Bowditch said a charity shop was earmarked to open in what was formerly Exact, while a children’s shoe shop, Gimme Shooz, currently based in Sheredays Courtyard, off the High Street, was rumoured to be taking over Viva’s spot.

Trevor Draper, chairman of the Billericay Chamber of Commerce, said if people failed to support local, independent shops then the balance of the High Street could be lost forever.

He said: “If you’ve used local stores during the good times, then use them in the bad times to help them survive.

“We still have a pretty well-balanced High Street at the moment, but that could change if we see more closures.

“I’m a bit sad to see another charity shop opening, as I think we already have enough of them.”

Billericay MP John Baron agreed with Mr Draper, and warned specifically against more pubs and restaurants taking over empty units.

He said: “It’s terribly important we keep the balance on the High Street between night and day trade.

“If too many restaurants or bars are allowed to open then the character of the town will suffer.”