Too late to save every high street

By Claire Hayhurst - 13/12/2011

TV retail expert Mary Portas has described some town centres as "dead" and filled with an increasing number of empty shops in a government-commissioned report.

The expert said it was too late to save every high street in Britain and warned that casualties will continue to rise unless action is taken to tackle the "crisis".

She has recommended a series of measures to revitalise high streets struggling to pull in customers from competition online and in out-of-town shopping centres.

The Government has published research which describes a third of high streets as "degenerating or failing".

It estimates that less than 40 per cent of retail spending will be in town centres.

Ms Portas said that communities have been sacrificed for convenience - leaving town centres with no sense of "belonging".

She added that the only hope high streets have of surviving is to deliver something new, noting that vacancy rates have doubled over the last two years.
 
Her report stated: "The phenomenal growth of online retailing, the rise of mobile retailing, the speed and sophistication of the major national and international retailers, the epic experiences offered by today's new breed of shopping mall, combined with a crippling recession, have all conspired to change today's retail landscape." 

 

"Although some high streets are thriving, most have a fight on their hands. Many are sickly, others are on the critical list and some are now dead.

 

"We cannot and should not attempt to save every high street but my findings have led me to believe that unless urgent action is taken, the casualties will only continue to multiply."

  

Ms Portas made 28 recommendations which will now be studied in detail by the Department for Communities and Local Government and other departments.

 

She advised establishing town teams, such as those in France, where officials protect town centres.

 

The presenter also called for the removal of 'red tape' to make it easier for people to become market traders, cuts in business rates and a parking league table for shopper to compare prices.

 

She also stressed that there should be an "exceptional sign off" by the Local Government Secretary for out-of-town developments.

 

The report said that the way people shopped had permanently changed "beyond recognition".

 

It revealed that the number of town centre stores has fallen by an estimated 25,000 over the past 11 years, with almost one in six shops empty.

 

Prime Minister David Cameron has vowed that the Government will review the report and respond next spring.

 

He said: "The high street should be at the very heart of every community, bringing people together, providing essential services and creating jobs and investment; so it is vital that we do all that we can to ensure they thrive."

 

British Retail Consortium director general Stephen Robertson praised the advice and stated that the report highlighted "key concerns".

 

He said: "Prioritising action on business rates and parking is exactly right. These are the key concerns for customers and retailers."

 

But Peter Box, of the Local Government Association, said that removing regulations on market traders could cause rogue traders.

 

He said: "While some of the report's recommendations are positive, such as an increased role for businesses and cracking down on the number of new betting shops, the LGA is extremely concerned that removing regulations around market stalls will result in rogue traders taking advantage of cash-strapped families and flooding the market with dangerous and counterfeit goods."

 

What would you like to see on your high street?
 
Please write to us at editorial@maturetimes.co.uk with your views. 
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