It has been a year since Queen of Shops Mary Portas was asked for her suggestions to turn around the poor performance of the nation’s town centres. Following Ms Portas’ review, 12 towns across the country were awarded the status of “Portas Pilot Towns” and received a share of a £1.2 million investment earmarked to fund the chosen schemes.
Unfortunately, Ms Portas has been faced with a barrage of criticism during the year regarding plans put in place in the towns – many of which concerned the uses to which the funds were being put.
Critics claimed that the towns should be using the investment to secure the long-term future of their high streets but, had instead, spent it on gimmicks such as dressed-up children’s characters and entertainers to attract temporarily high footfall.
Now it appears that these points may be valid, with research commissioned by BBC 4’s You and Yours showing that the number of shop closures in all but two of the towns actually rose in the past year. Altogether, almost 700 units closed nationwide while only 600 opened in their places – leaving a further 95 commercial properties vacant.
Out of the twelve pilot towns, only Bedford and Margate have shown marked signs of improvement as a result of their inclusion in the Portas Review.
The research, which was conducted by the Local Data Company, indicated that consumers have become reluctant to visit their local high street due to the ever-changing nature of the retail environment. Shoppers have become confused by constant changes and so prefer to give their custom to more stable environments where store closures are not quite so common.
Yet while the number of shops on the high street may have fallen drastically in most areas, the vacancy rates of several pilot towns remained relatively stable. Bedford, Dartford, Newbiggin-by-the-Sea, Bedminster, Liskeard, Margate and Wolverhampton all experienced a drop in vacancy rates, which experts believe can be put down to large numbers of empty shops being converted for alternative uses – for example, as a café or takeaway outlet.
Initiatives such as pop-up shops have also become increasingly common, which is another factor lowering overall vacancy rates.
Ms Portas claimed that the progress made by many successful towns participating in Portas Review initiatives should be congratulated, and also pointed out that lasting improvements will take some time to implement.
She said; “There is no simple solution to the crisis on our high streets.
“There are no quick fixes, but 400 towns up and down the country are working on different plans to try and reinvigorate their high street.
“Let’s celebrate their achievements so far and learn and share ideas – real change will take time.”
Do you think that Ms Portas’ ideas will succeed in the long run, or is it time to consider alternative uses for vacant high street properties?
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