The Vanishing High Street And Why Placemaking Is Key

 

by Meg Pirie

There's no doubt that the British High Street has taken a battering over the last few years. Not only have retailers had to contend with Covid, but Brexit and now the ongoing cost-of-living crisis have decimated the high street as we know it. In 2021, PWC reported that 17,500 chain stores closed in 2020 alone. Now with many high streets focused on recovery, consumers want something new. 

The Centre for Retail Research backs this up by offering that remodelling large obsolete stores to add services such as clothing repair, cafes, and concessions could provide a solution to stores remaining vacant. This is particularly relevant as the latest data from PWC, suggests that while consumers remain supportive of high streets as a hub for community, they want to see more independent retailers with a focus on experiences. 

The recent launch and success of curated charity department store 'Charity Super.Mkt' at the vacant Topshop Brent Cross location incites an interesting model which could be rolled out across the country. Launching in this space was perhaps a nod to a by-gone era that has vanquished along with much of our traditional high-street. As much of my generation will remember, there was a time in our lives where a trip to Topshop was a prominent part of the weekend and re-opening the doors with the best of what the charity sector has to offer, is a poignant move. 

Having just been to Glasgow for a conference on sustainable fashion at Glasgow University's Advanced Research Centre, placemaking came up as a hot topic. Patrick Grant opened up about the fact that we were making too much, and that fast-fashion brand Shein was claiming to launch around 6,000 new products every 24 hours. That in the 70's there were around 1.6 million manufacturing jobs within the fashion and textiles sector, where now there were an estimated 80,000 in the UK. He spoke of his ideal high street–a place of community, curated second-hand clothing and repair shops, with localised supply chains at its heart. 

Therefore, placemaking as a multi-faceted approach to planning, design and management of public and community spaces is now more important than ever in capitalising on a community's assets and potential to improve community wellbeing.