Hardly a day goes by without us hearing of yet more closures on our high streets.

The burden of rising property costs, soaring employment costs and pressure from online retailers and out of town shopping centres, are all creating a perfect storm in our town centres. The blight of potholes, high cost of town centre parking and the loss of vital banking services are also ramping up the pressure.

In response, the Federation of Small Businesses has set out recommendations for actions that could breathe new life into our beleaguered town centres.

Firstly, Small Business Rates need to be made fairer and more sensible. A £1,000 business rates discount for local shops, cafes, restaurants and pubs, would provide an immediate boost for high streets. A change is needed to the bizarre rule which sees most small firms losing their existing Business Rates Relief if they take on a second property. It would make more sense for business owners to have personal thresholds, allowing them to have more than one high street property without losing any relief.

Secondly, we need to improve town centre infrastructure in the shape of our roads and parking facilities. Pot hole repairs need to be carried out more effectively so that they are fixed faster but in a way that lasts longer.

There should also be more free parking to encourage shoppers back to the high street all year round. Where charges remain, any proposed increases should always be assessed for their impact on town centres.

Thirdly, given the pace of bank branch closures and the negative impact this has on high street footfall, we need to protect the Post Office network. Every branch should provide a reliable, efficient and standardised core of business services.

Most of all and before it’s too late, we need Government and local authorities to come together to deliver real solutions.

Then, as well as helping our high streets to survive, they may just enable them to thrive.