How Can the UK Revive its Main Streets?

Despite their more traditional, mixed-use development patterns, the UK's town centers are not immune from declining "high streets" as a result of the poor economy, and the attractions of shopping centers and online retail. How can they fight back?

1 minute read

January 11, 2013, 1:00 PM PST

By Jonathan Nettler @nettsj


Beth Ward, a member of the Association of Town Centre Management, discusses the ways that her organization is helping towns and regions to halt the decline of their shopping streets. Markets, discount programs, crowdfunding and locally focused social media are among the tools that Ward's "town teams" point to as successful means to make town centers and high streets strong, stable and resilient.  

"What our town centres can no longer rely on is yesterday's aspiration – being a clone town full of the same retailers offering the same products and solely relying on them alone," says Ward. "Towns of the future need to offer something different and attract customers to 'the experience'."

"They need to be the hub of the communities once more and change people's attitudes and perceptions. Yes, people will still want to shop in supermarkets and out-of-town shopping centres, but it doesn't mean that they can't use a mix of all three. In fact, many places have seen an increase in independents, stores, cafes and restaurants where clones once roamed."

Thursday, January 10, 2013 in The Guardian

Sweeping view of Portland, Oregon with Mt. Hood in background against sunset sky.

Oregon Passes Exemption to Urban Growth Boundary

Cities have a one-time chance to acquire new land for development in a bid to increase housing supply and affordability.

March 12, 2024 - Housing Wire

Aerial view of green roofs with plants in Sydney, Australia.

Where Urban Design Is Headed in 2024

A forecast of likely trends in urban design and architecture.

March 10, 2024 - Daily Journal of Commerce

Cobblestone street with streetcar line, row of vintage streetlights on left, and colorful restaurant and shop awnings on right on River Street in Savannah, Georgia.

Savannah: A City of Planning Contrasts

From a human-scales, plaza-anchored grid to suburban sprawl, the oldest planned city in the United States has seen wildly different development patterns.

March 12, 2024 - Strong Towns

Aerial View of Chuckanut Drive and the Blanchard Bridge in the Skagit Valley.

Washington Tribes Receive Resilience Funding

The 28 grants support projects including relocation efforts as coastal communities face the growing impacts of climate change.

March 18 - The Seattle Times

Historic buildings in downtown Los Angeles with large "Pan American Lofts" sign on side of building.

Adaptive Reuse Bills Introduced in California Assembly

The legislation would expand eligibility for economic incentives and let cities loosen regulations to allow for more building conversions.

March 18 - Beverly Press

View from above of swan-shaped paddleboats with lights on around artesian fountain in Echo Park Lake with downtown Los Angeles skylien in background at twilight.

LA's Top Parks, Ranked

TimeOut just released its list of the top 26 parks in the L.A. area, which is home to some of the best green spaces around.

March 18 - TimeOut

News from HUD User

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Call for Speakers

Mpact Transit + Community

New Updates on PD&R Edge

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.