Plans to revive high streets were ‘not well co-ordinated’, says Lords

The "dominance of retail on high streets is something of the past", said a report by the House of Lords.

The findings, published today (28 November) by the cross-party House of Lords Built Environment Committee, said whilst “shopping will still be a key feature” of town centres, there is greater demand and opportunity for restaurants and leisure activities, as well as health centres and libraries.

The investigation was carried out to assess the future of high streets and the challenges they face. The report said in 2023 there were more than 10,000 high street closures across the UK, with the loss of local department stores, pharmacies, clothing stores, pubs and banks.

The 73-page report entitled High Streets: Life beyond retail?, concluded the “previous government's plans to revive high streets were not well co-ordinated”.

It said: “The new government's local growth funding reforms must ensure that high streets are enabled to flourish in the long term, and that those responsible for their future have enough expertise to deliver improvements.”

The House of Lords committee said local authorities, communities and businesses need to work together to shape high streets that are “reflective of local conditions, adaptable, and resilient”.

The report said each local authority should have an active town centre manager to support the development of their high streets and town centres and share best practice with other managers.

The committee said high streets need to be accessible by car and public transport. They also need to be safe, with young people, especially young women, telling the committee they often do not feel safe on their local high street.

Lord Daniel Moylan, chairman of the Built Environment Committee, said: “Local high streets are places where generations have shopped, socialised and worked. Many of them are in decline and to reverse this they need to look beyond being simply a destination for shoppers.”

He said, “retail will always be important”, but people want to see a variety of businesses and other services “such as NHS diagnostic centres and libraries on their high street”.

The report highlighted the importance of access to public toilets, particularly for the elderly and families with young children. If toilets are not available it can stop people visiting their local high street, or reduce the amount of time they spend there.

It also said markets can boost footfall on high streets and “contribute to the unique character of towns and small cities”. Markets can “act as catalysts for the high street brands of tomorrow”, the report said. While local authorities and other market operators should continue to support market traders.

Lord Moylan added: “Delivering a successful and sustainable high street often involves a local leader, who can be from the local community, authority or business. This leader very often motivates teams from the public and private sector to use their imagination to breathe new life into their high street. Decision-makers shouldn’t be afraid of trying new things. However, they should be mindful of the quality of what is delivered, as only well designed and built spaces will have any chance of standing the test of time.”