Futures Forum: How to revive the health of Sidmouth's high street >>> >>> "MP vows to take town's high street woes to Government

But it is being threatened with out-of-town development:
New business park plan is unveiled | Latest Sidmouth and Ottery News - Sidmouth Herald

And an established business is going on-line only:
End of an era for Govier’s of Sidmouth fine china shop stirs memories | Latest Sidmouth and Ottery News - Sidmouth Herald

Retailers have been calling for 'something to be done' for some time now - and there are plenty of ideas out there:
Futures Forum: How to revive the health of high streets > "We could maybe look at ways we could help local shops, which use locally-sourced produce, through some kind a business rate relief."

A meeting was called last month - but had to be postponed at the last minute:
Futures Forum: How to revive the health of Sidmouth's high street > all businesses invited to urgent meeting > Thursday 26th April > CANCELLED

A fresh meeting was convened a couple of weeks later:
Vision Group for Sidmouth - Sir Hugo to hold urgent talks on issues crippling Sidmouth’s high street

And the latest Herald has devoted a double-page report to what emerged from the meeting.

MP Hugo Swire called for 'an independent person' to help fashion a 'vision' for the High Street and urged business leaders to complete surveys to take to central government as part of its review: click on article to enlarge:

Futures Forum