I’ve started wondering if we should maybe switch how we think about it…?
To explain first, it’s a phrase being used to describe people answering #highstreet surveys, commenting in the press and posting on social media about how their town or city centre “isn’t what it used to be”.
When that happens it’s often a result of the fact that many #retail businesses having moved out-of-town or closed altogether, or that we’re now shopping more online than “back then”.
And as placemakers and #property people we’re used to responding by saying that’s how it is, that things are changing, and we cannot go back. That people are hankering after a past that’s gone, not to return and it’s not helpful (hence the ‘negative’ bit).
But is that right…?
Isn’t what’s actually being said here just that people want “more shops” in their town or city centre.
So if that’s what they’re saying, why don’t we just try deliver that…?
To be clear, I’m not advocating a return to clone towns. There are reasons why that was flawed too. I also recognise that one of the very positive changes we’re seeing is that more places are thinking arts & crafts, creative, culture, community, history & heritage, leisure, education, health and health & wellbeing as go-to options to fill empty units – indeed that’s at the heart of the tackling vacancy strategy we’re encouraging locations we support on this issue to consider.
But we say also that retail (and #hospitality) still has a big part to play.
So why, next time we hear residents and existing businesses ask for “more shops”, don’t we try to make exactly that happen.
Thoughts…?
