A new Lords report entitled High Streets: Life Beyond Retail? focusing on the state of our nation’s high streets was published today, suggesting the future could see a move away from retail-focused premises.
It points to a greater demand and opportunity for restaurants and leisure activities instead, as well as for more public services such as health centres and libraries in town centres.
However, it notes that the demands placed on the high street are in a state of flux, so any fixed approach to determining its future would be ill advised.
Speaking just after the release of the report, Lord Moylan, Chairman of the Built Environment Committee, said: “Local high streets are places where generations have shopped, socialised and worked. Many of them are in decline and to reverse this they need to look beyond being simply a destination for shoppers.”
“Retail will always be important, but people want to see a variety of businesses and other services such as NHS diagnostic centres and libraries on their high street. And they can’t be successful if there isn’t a convenient way, both by public transport and car, to get to them.“
Public authorities are also tentatively moving public-facing services such as surgeries and libraries on to high streets, which can improve access and increase footfall to sustain local businesses.
The report also suggests that, moving forwards, each local authority should have an active town centre manager to support the development of their high streets and town centres. “Town centre managers across the country should share experiences and best practice to benefit from cohort-based learning,” it advised.
In addition, it highlighted an urgent need for greater safety at night on our streets – particularly for women, along with better parking, more green spaces, greater access to public toilets as well as also pointing to the role markets on high streets play in building character and a stronger future for retail spaces.
In the same report, the Committee also welcomed the announcement of plans to review the business rates system.
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