Life Beyond Retail?” underscores the noticeable decrease in retail presence on UK high streets, with a significant number of store closures recorded in 2023. This decline has impacted communities, leading to the loss of various establishments like department stores, pharmacies, clothing shops, pubs, and banks, resulting in challenges for town centers to attract visitors and thrive.
Lord Moylan, the Chairman of the Built Environment Committee, emphasizes the historical significance of local high streets as hubs for shopping, socializing, and work. Highlighting the declining state of many high streets, Lord Moylan advocates for a shift towards high streets becoming more than just shopping destinations, urging for the incorporation of dining options, leisure activities, health services, and libraries to revitalize these areas.
The report underscores the necessity for a diverse array of services on high streets, encouraging the establishment of new public services such as libraries, diagnostic centers, and government buildings. Moreover, it calls for the appointment of town center managers by each local authority to support high street development and facilitate the sharing of successful practices across the country. Additionally, the report stresses the importance of enhancing accessibility through improved public transport connectivity and adequate parking options to ensure easy access to high streets by both car and public transport users.