Retail is very much still part of the #highstreet mix.
Shops are typically top of or at least prominent on any list of what residents say they want from their town or city centre when asked.
A number of brands have extensive requirements lists and new opening programmes to add to their current holdings.
So it was a relief to read the following in the recent House of Lords Built Environment Committee report on this issue:
“Retail will always remain a vital component of the high street but local communities are increasingly seeking out restaurants and leisure activities as well as wanting to see more public services in their town centres.”
“…will always remain a vital component of…”
It feels more nuanced and thus practical than the “forget retail”, “change completely”, “death of…” messaging we’ve had before, and it certainly fits better with what we’re seeing in a range of places with #TheVacantShopsAcademy.
That’s not to say the same applies equally everywhere. For many of the locations we’re working on tackling vacancy, arts & crafts, creative, cultural, community, history & heritage, leisure, education, health, health & wellbeing have a significant, maybe bigger, role as potential targets to fill those empties.
The crucial thing is that the exact balance will vary by location and that’s why everywhere that has empty units as an issue needs a tackling vacancy-focused ‘place partnership’ on the case, to work out where the line is drawn for them.
We’re always very happy to talk to places about what that approach looks like and how to deploy it in your town or city centre. Do ask…!
