For some time now it has been clear that town centres and high streets have been failing to attract the custom they once did. Even when inclement weather is not playing a role in keeping the nation’s consumers indoors, the discounted prices of internet shopping and the free parking offered by out of town retail villages mean that our once thriving high streets are in dire need of help.
Mary Portas
Fortunately, the government has realised this and is determined to do all it can to save the high street. Working according to recommendations included in the Portas Review, the Future High Streets Forum will act as an advisory board for the Government, helping town centres adapt to the challenges if the changing retail market.
Local Growth Minister Mark Prisk is largely behind this drive for change, having established the Forum and worked closely with retailers in the wake of the Portas Review. This week, he spoke to the 27 appointed Portas Pilots in Loughborough regarding the ways in which they could help secure the future of the high street for generations to come.
Mr Prisk said; “It is clear that our high streets will need to change to prosper.
“There is already great work being done across the country to revitalise the town centres but it needs to spread further faster – the Future High Streets Forum will help us do that.
“The Forum will bring businesses, councils, retailers and property experts to work together and back communities to rejuvenate our high streets.”
The 27 Portas Pilots and further 330 Town Team Partners have been working for some time now to implement the recommendations of industry expert Mary Portas. Alongside this, the Government authorised Mr Prisk to create the Forum, which is made up of both retailers and industry groups representing a wide variety of trades.
At present, members include John Lewis, the British Retail Consortium, the British Property Federation, the British Council of Shopping Centres, the Association of Town & City Management and the Association of Convenience Stores. Mr Prisk will co-chair the Forum, alongside chief executive of the Health and Beauty Division of Alliance Boots, Alex Gourlay.
The Forum is expected to address issues facing both retailers and local councils. For example, advice will be provided to help small local retailers adapt to the challenge of online shopping, while councils will receive information regarding parking charges and other ways in which to attract consumers back into town centres.
Commercial landlords will also be able to benefit from the Forum, with proposals due to be discussed including the feasibility of turning part of a commercial property into a residential space – thus ensuring people have access to the high street thanks simply to the fact that they live there. The Forum is also expected to promote the use of pop-up shops in redundant empty spaces, allowing for more flexibility in the use of space.
Co-chairman Alex Gourlay threw the support of Boots behind the initiative, saying; “Boots UK strongly supports the pursuit of creating healthy and prosperous high streets which can be essential, if not the most critical, ingredient in supporting the regeneration of local communities.
“High streets are vital for the health of our communities, providing services and support that are accessible and within easy walking distance for many people. From speaking to our customers, we know that the survival of the high street is very important to them.
“I am proud to be co-chairing the Future High Streets Forum, to work with others also committed to the future of our high streets and ensuring their growth and success in years to come.”
While it may now be too late for towns and cities to apply for the Future High Street X-Fund, which awards areas with creative rejuvenation schemes up to £1 million, it is almost certain that further initiatives of this sort will be in the pipeline to allow run down high streets the chance to get back on their feet.
Yet the greatest challenge may not even lie in making town centres more attractive, or retailers more able to dress their stores attractively, but in convincing consumers worn down by four years of recession to part with their cash once more.
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