The last 20 years have seen a major decline in the retail offer in medium-sized and smaller towns. Many have been strongly influenced by changing consumer demand and shopping habits. Consumers have rising expectations and are seeking more choice, greater security and easier access - needs which are no t met in many smaller locations.

Retail-led regeneration and the viability of secondary retail centres are at the heart of BCSC’s town-centres first approach.

We continue to respond to consultations including Regeneration and the Recession - Unlocking the Money which called for greater collaboration on funding models to unblock the development pipeline, supported with evidence given at the CLG Committee regarding the proposed changes to PPS6 as well as consideration of rates holidays on new developments and greater clarity within the procurement process.

In partnership with DTZ, Retail-led Regeneration: Why It Matters to Our Communities (2009) was based on extensive research into a variety of smaller centres across the UK, and offers a range of practical case study-based recommendations.

BCSC’s report Medium-sized and Smaller Towns - Raising the Game highlighted the improvements in some major cities with massive retail developments, raising concerns that there is a need to rebalance the retail hierarchy to achieve social inclusion, regeneration and sustainability objectives. The 2009 report looks at how the challenges are being addressed and which efforts are being made to halt decline. It states that to create new viable small towns, developers will need to ensure a catchment area wide enough to pull spend away from other larger centres, and this is likely to require major investment and close partnerships between the public and private sectors. A high level of commitment and understanding is key to the success of these schemes.

Research:

Secondary Centres: The Impact of the Recession on Secondary Shopping Centres (2010) Medium-sized and Smaller Towns - Raising the Game (2009) Retail-led Regeneration: Why It Matters to Our Communities (2009) Focus: The Challenge of Mixed Use (2008) Future of Retail Property Report 10 - Shopping Places for People (2007) Future of Retail Property Report 8 - How Much Space? (2007) Future of Retail Property Report 6 - In Town or Out of Town? (2006)

Government consultations:

BCSC Comments on DCLG’s Consultation on Proposed Changes to Planning Policy Statement 6: Planning For Town Centres, Oct 2008 Prosperous Places: Taking Forward the Review of Sub-National Economic Development and Regeneration, Jun 2008 Lifting the Burdens from Local Economic Development and Regeneration, May 2008

If you would like to discuss these issues further please contact
Ed Cooke on Edward.Cooke@bcsc.org.uk or on 0207 227 4481