How can the high street’s fortunes be revived?
THE decline of the high street has been blamed on the unabated rise of internet shopping, high rents and business rates, and there has been much discussion as to what is to be done about the changing face of shopping.
Nowhere is the question more pertinent than on the North West’s most famous retail mile in Southport.
Lord Street today is a reflection of how both big chains and independent retailers have suffered in the current economic climate.
The closure of both Beales and Debenhams department stores amid a number of smaller vacant shopping units is undeniably a worrying sign.
Lakeland Leather, the largest leather retailer in the UK, has just announced that the lease on its Lord Street store is due to end in May, when it is expected to close down.
The Victorian-canopied boulevard still retains its unique charm and style and the glass-domed Wayfarers Arcade, open since 1898, is still a striking presence.
An army of volunteers work to keep Lord Street’s flowers blooming and the town centre’s remaining quirky, independent businesses have so far survived an age of austerity.
Lord Street and its surrounding areas are still very much cared about and the Promenade, attractions and restaurants (with excellent reputations) still remain very attractive to visitors.
With so much life still in the town centre, there is much discussion as to what it should look like in the future.
BBC North West Tonight interviewed Southport town centre councillor Tony Dawson and Southport BID chair Susannah Porter about what is happening and what needs to be done locally.
Cllr Dawson said he is concerned that the present mish-mash of closed and open shops will only grow worse unless the council takes a lead and assumes an active role in coordinating a remodelling of the town centre that retains the attractiveness of shopping in Southport as both a leisure and retail experience.
The Dukes Ward councillor said: “Due to the growth of internet shopping as well as competition from newer centres with larger shops, not a single person I have spoken to believes that the shape and size of the retail provision in and around Lord Street can be the same in 10 years’ time as it was 10 or 20 years ago.
“Retail rents in places like Southport town centre are presently massively too high.
“That, in turn, makes business rates far too high. Supply of town centre retail space massively outstrips demand. But the rents have not plunged accordingly.
“I believe that the residents of this town should be the people who are involved in deciding the future shape of our Southport town centre.”
Sefton Council has just announced that residents are to have their say on how up to £25m is invested in the town as part of the Government’s Town Deal. The deal seeks to engage with communities to determine how the money should be spent to boost growth through innovative regeneration plans.
Marion Atkinson, Sefton Council’s Labour cabinet member for regeneration and skills, said: “The Southport Town Deal Board comprises people who are passionate and committed to a promising future for Southport and who have created businesses and employment across many
sectors, delivered important community services, taught our children and young people, looked after our residents’ healthcare needs and welcomed visitors to Southport.
“We’re excited to work with the Southport Town Board, our businesses and communities, to develop the investment plan and will engage with all communities and organisations, to ensure that the vision for Southport and the plans to achieve this, are determined by them.”
Martin Foster, managing director of Lakeland Leather, pointed to the number of empty shop units in the town as one issue informing the firm’s decision to close but said that the record-high business rates were a major factor.
Malcolm Sykes, 60, owner of Reputation Menswear, also blamed the introduction of parking meters in the last few years,
He said: “Parking is a big factor. There are so many traffic wardens and they’re so aggressive.
“People used to visit a lot more but now they’re slapped with parking tickets left, right and centre.
“We have had custom