Can Mary Portas save the high street?

As an independent retailer in the throws of closing a high street shop in the north of the country I have my doubts. I make no excuse for making note of the north as further south, say Birmingham and further on, trade seems to be more insulated against the current problems. Mary Portas is a very clever woman at what she does, a sort of smarten yourself up, check your offer, rethink your displays, smile and say hello to the customers routine. However can she deal with the more fundamental issues affecting small shops, like persuading landlords to overturn the upward only rent reviews and relate the rent to footfall. Then get the local councils to change their thinking on parking charges and business rates that are an important source of local government revenue. And get the collective powers that be to discuss potential incoming tenants with a view as to how that might affect the retail mix of the town or area. The best of shops will struggle without customers with cash in their pockets to spend. Good luck Mary.