Britons only want to see restaurants and leisure activities on their high street, a new Westminster report has revealed. Long suffering town centres up and down the UK have been in decline for decades as consumers flock to online retailers and more convenient out of town brick and mortar shopping locations with an abundance of parking.
The Built Environment report compiled by the House of Lords states the high street’s retail domination “is a thing of the past” with many town centres looking like a scene from a zombie apocalypse due to boarded up empty shop fronts. Cafes, restaurants and charity shops – which can avail of cheaper rates – are usually the only new businesses taking up new leases.
It comes as a new scheme which will allow local authorities to auction off longterm vacant leases is set to come into force next month. Young women often feel unsafe on their local high street, according to the report, which calls for more eyes on the street, better lighting and a better mix of residential and businesses that open into the night to contribute to safer feeling streets.
READ MORE: Major garden retailer famed for Christmas decorations set to close 16 stores before 2025
READ MORE: Homebase puts 74 stores up for sale as your local branch may be on the list
(Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)
The House of Lords also called on the government to introduce a ‘town centre first’ policy to bring more civic facilities such as libraries into high streets as well as putting in place a “town centre manager” in each local authority.
The report reads: “The dominance of retail on high streets is something of the past. Whilst shopping will still be a key feature, there is greater demand and opportunity for restaurants and leisure activities, as well as for more public services, such as health centres and libraries, in town centres.
“What communities want and what can be sustained on the high street is constantly evolving, so a fixed vision and monolithic approach to their future should be avoided. Local authorities, communities and businesses need to work together to shape high streets that are reflective of local conditions, adaptable, and resilient.
“High streets will only thrive if people can get to them easily and safely. Access by car and sufficient parking are necessary for commercial sustainability, though their adverse consequences can be mitigated by better public transport connectivity, particularly through improved bus networks. Traditional high streets are in competition with the convenience of parking arrangements in out-of-town developments.
“As retail occupancy declines and leaves behind vacant units, cafés and restaurants have taken their place. There has also been a rise in the number of charity shops, which benefit from substantial business rates relief and often have lower staff costs, making them more able to afford high street rents. Public authorities are also tentatively moving public-facing services (such as surgeries and libraries) on to high streets. This can both improve access to those civic functions and increase footfall to sustain local businesses.”
(Image: In Pictures via Getty Images)
Chair of the Built Environment Committee Lord Moylan 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 by car, to get to them.”
“Delivering a successful and sustainable high street often involves a local leader, who can be from the local community, authority or business. This leader very often motivates teams from the public and private sector to use their imagination to breathe new life into their high street. Decision-makers shouldn’t be afraid of trying new things. However, they should be mindful of the quality of what is delivered, as only well designed and built spaces will have any chance of standing the test of time.”
For the latest breaking news and stories from across the globe from the Daily Star, sign up for our newsletters.