High street should ‘look beyond retail’, says new Lords report

The high street has been advised to “look beyond retail” in order to reverse its decline, according to a new report from the House of Lords. 

This is one of the conclusions of a new report, ‘High Streets: Life beyond retail?’, published today (27 November) by the cross-party House of Lords Built Environment Committee.

The report mentions that in 2023 there were over 10,000 store closures across UK high streets, with people experiencing the loss of local department stores, pharmacies, clothing stores, pubs and banks.

The report claims that the “dominance of retail on high streets is something of the past” and that 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”.

It suggests that local authorities, communities and businesses need to work together to shape high streets that are reflective of local conditions, adaptable, and resilient.

The report also adds that high streets will only thrive if people can get to them easily and safely and that 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.  

Other findings and conclusions from the report include:

• High streets do not function in isolation and the introduction of new out-of-town retail and leisure centres can have a significant negative impact on the vitality of a local high street.
• The Government should introduce a ‘town centre first’ policy to ensure new public services including libraries, diagnostic centres and local government buildings are opened on our high streets.
• Each local authority should have an active town centre manager to support the development of their high streets and town centres. Town centre managers across the country should share experiences and best practice to benefit from cohort-based learning.
• Young people, especially young women, told the committee that they often do not feel safe on their local high street. Adequate street lighting, clear sightlines and “eyes on the street,” as well as a mix of uses including residential and those open into the night, can help to contribute to safer-feeling spaces.
• Access to public toilets is particularly important for the elderly and families with young children. If they are not available it can stop them visiting their local high street, or reduce the amount of time they spend there. Local authorities must be proactive in using the many ways that exist to provide decent public toilets.
• Local markets can boost footfall on high streets and contribute to the unique character of towns and small cities across the country. Markets not only contribute to local economies but can also act as catalysts for the high street brands of tomorrow. Local authorities and other market operators should continue to support market traders.

Lord Moylan, chairman of the Built Environment Committee, 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.”