THE BUSINESS community of Marlow tonight met to discuss ways to tackle the recession that currently grips the high street.

Around 50 retailers and commercial business people met at Liston Hall in Liston Road to try to thrash out a solution to their economic woes.

The meeting was organised by the Marlow Chamber of Trade and Commerce. President Andy McCready chaired the event, along with secretary Jo Braybrooke and chamber member Annie Mulady.

Top on the list of problems were the town's lack of parking as well as sky-rocketing rents and business rates.

Gaius Wyncoll, general manager of the Compleat Angler hotel, suggested drawing up a leaflet advertising the town's shops with their locations on a map.

This, he said, could be given away free by retailers, and would draw in customers.

He said: “I can see there are great shops across the bridge from me.

“I rely on the business of Marlow and the shops of Marlow to promote the Compleat Angler as a place to stay.”

Tony Light of Dynamite clothes suggested holding more events similar to Marlow's Christmas late night shopping event.

He said: “We did as much business in the evening as we did in the day.

“If we want to encourage people that Marlow is a nice town to come to why not have one every season?”

The group agreed to try to organise similar events funded by private businesses without the extravagance of the Christmas event.

They also resolved to put a number of suggestions to Wycombe District Council when the council comes to review parking regulations in April.

These included extending the time limit for free parking on High Street from one hour to two.

They also suggested changing the “pay and display” parking arrangements in council car parks to a system where shoppers pay on return to their car.

This would mean people would be less concerned with getting back to their cars before time ran out and would spend more time in shops.

Another suggestion was to set up a blog dedicated to business in Marlow. Here retailers could share information on rents, landlords and footfall.

Simon Gibson of The Nail Studio in West Street agreed to become a member of Marlow Chamber of Trade and Commerce's executive panel to represent retailers.

Adam Marlow, who recently set up Mekong in Spittal Street, confirmed that though times are tough the town still has a lot to offer.

“We looked all over London including Islington and Camden before deciding on Marlow,” he said.

“Although people say the independent shops are going in Marlow it's got the biggest number of independent shops out there.”