A panel of experts fronted by Sir John Timpson, chairman of eponymous shoe repair retailer Timpson, has been appointed by the government to examine the challenges facing the UK’s high streets.
The new advisory panel will look at what consumers and local communities want from their high streets and the challenges the high street faces, as well as advising on practical measures to “help them thrive”.
Timpson will be joined by seven others members, including NewRiver property director Emma Mackenzie, Urban Space Management founding director Eric Reynolds, former British Retail Consortium director general Stephen Robertson and Ashford Borough Council’s Graham Galpin.
High streets minister Jake Berry MP said: “High streets and small businesses are the backbone of our economy and we want to see them thrive now and in the future. People care about their local high streets because they are the centres of their communities.
“But our high streets are changing, and the government is committed to helping communities adapt. High streets of the future will still be commercial centres but consumers now look for a wider range of experiences, from leisure to health services.
“Our future high streets may well feature more homes, childcare centres and gyms to bring people back and ensure that they keep returning.”
Timpson added: “Throughout my career, high streets and city centres have continually changed to fulfil the needs of society, but the recent shift towards more out-of-town and online shopping threatens the future of many high streets.
“The panel cannot offer an instant solution but we hope to identify practical and commonsense decisions that will help the government provide the support that local communities and businesses need to provide the leisure and shopping facilities people will want 25 years from now.”
The panel will work with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government on calling for evidence from the public – particularly from young people – on what they want from the high street of the future.
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