The Portas review, by the retail expert and 'Queen of shops' makes ambitious recommendations on what can be done - by Government, local authorities and employers - and its focus is on "putting the heart back into the centre of our high streets", re-imagined as exciting social hubs for shopping, learning socialising and having fun.
Portas (pictured) said: "I don't want to live in a Britain that doesn't care about community. And I believe our high streets are a really important part of pulling people together in a way that a supermarket or shopping mall, however convenient, however entertaining and however slick, just never can. "Our high streets can be lively, dynamic, exciting and social places that give a sense of belonging and trust to a community. Something which, as the recent riots clearly demonstrated, has been eroded and in some instances eradicated. "I fundamentally believe that once we invest in and create social capital in the heart of our communities, the economic capital will follow."
The recommendations aim to:
- Get town centres running like businesses.
- Get the basics right to allow businesses to flourish.
- Level the playing field.
- Define landlords' roles and responsibilities.
- Give communities a greater say.
The report is published alongside new Government commissioned research, which shows although some high streets continue to thrive, a third are degenerating or failing. It estimates that by 2014 less than 40% of retail spending will be on the high street; and that over the last decade out of town retail floorspace has risen by 30% while in town has shrunk by 14%.
Prime minister David Cameron said: "The High Street should be at the very heart of every community, bringing people together, providing essential services and creating jobs and investment; so it is vital that we do all that we can to ensure they thrive. "I am delighted that Mary Portas has produced such a clear vision on how we can create vibrant and diverse town centres and breathe life back into our high streets. "The Government will now review Mary's recommendations and we will publish our response next spring."
Neil Bentley, CBI deputy director-general, said: "Retail represents about 10% of our economy, and the high street is a vital part of this.
"The Portas Review makes some sensible suggestions about how we can inject life back into town centres, including increased use of Business Improvement Districts and relaxing planning restrictions on the high street, in particular on change of use.
"More importantly, she recognises the growing burden business rates are placing on companies right across the country at a critical time.
"We need to make sure the UK remains attractive to investors, as it's their decisions that will ultimately lead to regeneration of our town centres. Any changes to the planning and business rate regimes must therefore encourage investment in the broadest sense, and not just rob Peter to pay Paul."
