Time to embrace change on our high streets?

When people talk about today’s town centres, it is rarely positive. They bemoan empty units, high rents, complain about charity shops and mutter about the excessive number of barbers and cafes.

I ran a business on a high street for 14 years and led a Chamber of Trade for close to a decade. These issues have been part of my daily work for all of this century.

One assumes that the high street of the late 20th century - with Woolworths, Radio Rentals, a string of banks and WH Smith - always existed, but they themselves were a snapshot of their time.

Woolworths probably bankrupted the independent haberdasher and ironmonger that would, a couple of generations earlier, have sat side by side on the high street. The pick ‘n’ mix in a paper cup superseded the white paper bag of toffees eagerly chosen from the traditional sweetshop and their Ladybird children’s clothes probably saw off a local clothing store.

Modern high streets do look different but what if we stop and think - charity shops allow us to buy inexpensive clothes in streets that could not support a range of fashion stores, we can give new life to toys and homewares that would otherwise be hidden in a cupboard or – worse – thrown in the bin. Barbers and salons reflect our interest in personal grooming and cafes provide a fantastic hub for improved wellbeing. The 20th century high street is gone, and rather than yearn for its return we should imagine what a 21st century town centre should be. One hundred years ago, people lived in towns –above the shop or next door. Then we built homes on the edge of town, the high street would empty at 5pm and became deserted. From the outside looking in this seems

Learn about volunteering at fair

People can find out more about volunteering in Dorset at an event in Wimborne.

The first Dorset Wide Volunteer Fayre is set to take place at Wimborne Community Centre on Friday, June 9, between 2pm and 6pm.

Entry is free and Mayor of Wimborne, Diann March, will open the event.

“Volunteering comes in all shapes and sizes; it can be a regular commitment or an adhoc task,” said a spokesman for the fayre, which is being organised by Volunteer Centre Dorset and Dorset Community Action.

“Whichever role you choose, it’s a great way to meet new people and learn new skills.” Charities, community groups and organisations at the fayre will showcase their good work, services and volunteering opportunities.

Visitors can also ask any questions about volunteering, where to start, finding the best role etc, in a special meet and greet area.

“If you’re an organisation who encourages your staff to volunteer, this is a great way to find opportunities in your local area,” the spokesman added. For more information, email julie.johns@ dorsetcommunityaction.org.uk or v.hall@volunteeringdorset. org.uk.

New speed limits a step closer

Wimborne and Pimperne are among five Dorset towns that are a step closer to implementing 20mph speed limits.

The applications are now being assessed for funding by Dorset Council They will then go through a Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) public consultation where residents can give their comments, support, or object to the proposals. like a waste of time and space –separating businesses from their customers, employers from their staff for no real reason. If we rethink town centres as communities, we can reduce the space used for retail and encourage the reuse of buildings for other purposes. Bring in homes, GP practices, nurseries, and community centres, reimagine towns where people co-exist with business, work can be just a stroll away and workshops or offices can abut a park, church, or café.

Those living in towns will want businesses on their doorsteps but not in a 20th century way. A new normal may develop; one where we don’t use shops, but instead buy from people; online shopping may become even more popular with deliveries by drones or robots or our desire to buy things may reduce altogether?

We can either embrace change as previous generations did and design the towns of the future or we can cling to the past and be dragged there anyway, reacting to necessity rather than proactively creating spaces to love.

We do not know what the future holds for our high streets, but the current model seems to be broken beyond repair and I hope we have the courage to grasp change.

All aboard!

Saturday 10th June

Camden Market £25

Wednesday 14th June

Dorchester Market & Weymouth .............................................£14

Thursday 15th June

Cheddar & Wells......................................................................................£22

Sunday 18th June

Shepton Mallet Antiques Fair (coach & entrance) ............£23

Monday 19th June

Exeter £24

Tuesday 20th June

Hurst Castle (coach, entrance & ferry) .........................................£25

Tuesday 27th June

Gunwharf Quays £18

Monday 24th July

Jurassic Coast Tour £24

Wednesday 26th July

Sound of Music at Chichester Festival Theatre (coach & ticket) .......................................................................................£69

Wednesday 26th July

New Forest Show (coach & ticket) £33

Thursday 3rd August

West Bay & Lyme Regis £24

Sunday 5th August

Portobello Road, London ...................................................................£25

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