1 minute read
Retail and the High Street
1a. Rightsizing the retail core is key to creating clustering, vibrancy and a sense of place across the High Street and within the City Centre; Eastgate Street (including Grosvenor Shopping Centre), Foregate Street and some of Northgate St. is the logical heart of the City’s Retail Offer.
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Sub-prime areas of the High Street (Watergate St., Bridge St., Werburgh St, Northgate St.) should be deployed to create an ecosystem whereby the High Street is supported. This includes the Rows, which are under-utilised and could perform a hugely valuable function in delivering covered dining space and augmenting the evening offer.
1b. Key occupiers should be engaged, supported and encouraged to take the “best space” within the city. An accountable body should take responsibility for establishing and maintaining these relationships with key occupiers whilst also taking responsibility for attracting and retaining new occupiers into the city – not just retailers!
1c. Wayfinding, signage and branding is poor across the city. A new joined-up approach should be deployed tying in a strong place brand (perhaps street-bystreet) with a new digital signage strategy for the City Centre. This would have the benefit of providing live information about events, offers and upcoming development proposals for the City - engaging residents and visitors alike.
1d. Examining how parking and other modes of travel can maximise and encourage visitors to the city. This should be tied into a wider transport offer, which incorporates ride sharing options (including Park & Ride) and active travel.
1e. We are in the midst of a profound change in the way that people interact with the High Street. This will continue over the next two decades and will undoubtedly impact upon the type of anchor uses that traditionally cemented the highstreet offer. Providing space for new experience-led uses and sectors should be considered within the city centre: Health, beauty and wellbeing / specialised stores / fitting rooms / gaming and e-sports / arts & creative space.
