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  SHAPING RETAIL PROPERTY  
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home > policy > industry issues > smaller towns and secondary centres
 
 
 
 
Smaller Towns and Secondary Centres  
 
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.
     
 
 
Contact us    
 
To discuss any aspect of industry issues and BCSC policy, please contact
Edward Cooke, Executive Director on edward.cooke@bcsc.org.uk / 020 7227 4481 or
Philippa Latimer, Public Affairs Manager on philippa.latimer@bcsc.org.uk / 020 7227 3455
 
 
Other Policy Issues  
 
> Asset Management
> Sustainability
> Urban Development
> Education
 
 
 
 
Related Government Consultations Expand
 
bullet BCSC response to National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF)
bullet BCSC Briefing Note: Localism Bill
bullet BCSC response to the Local Growth White Paper (LGWP)
  > full list of consultation documents  
 
 
Related Research Reports Expand
 
bullet Secondary Centres: The Impact of the Recession on Secondary Shopping Centres (2010)
bullet Medium-sized and Smaller Towns - Raising the Game (2009)
bullet Retail-led Regeneration: Why It Matters to Our Communities (2009)
  > full list of research publications  

 
 
 
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