High streets must evolve or face their fate

Scotland’s high beyond saving. But the general switch in behaviour towards online shopping which has been accelerated by Covid-19 has meant that many are in need of emergency resuscitation.

Just a few years ago it was inconceivable that high streets could once again be a home for local independent traders.

Dominated by the major multiples who were willing and able to pay a premium for prime retail space, it appeared there was little or no space for smaller shops.

But times have changed radically and many of those larger stores have now either gone to the wall in the face of competition from the likes of Amazon and Asos, or been forced to significantly downsize their bricks and mortar network.

High streets in Tayside and Fife have been directly in the firing line, with the latest blow coming in Perth yesterday with the potential closure of an H&M store that is due to reopen its doors next week.

That is a difficult situation for the workers and their families and they deserve every support.

But it again highlights the challenges facing our high streets and the fact they will need to evolve or will slowly die.

Cities like Dundee and Perth and smaller towns across Tayside and Fife need their centres to be vibrant places that fuel the local economy by encouraging spending and providing job opportunities.

Independent retail has a major role to play in that scenario along with myriad others, from licensed cafes and bars to arthouse cinema, pop-up restaurants and markets and live entertainment.

But high streets will only see a resurgence if government, town planners and the licensing authorities recognise there is a major problem and give a fair hearing and support to those coming forward with potential solutions, however novel.

Dundee, in fairness, has grasped that nettle through various initiatives designed to showcase local traders and local goods.

But the scale remains small, while the problem is large.

We must be prepared to go much further if our high streets are to survive to fight another day. streets are not