Reading this thread and other town centre threads on here, I'm starting to think that town centres are in terminal decline unless radical action isn't taken.
The main problem is that Landlords, Local councils and central government (and some retailers for that matter) are blind to the fact that the internet has totally changed retailing and think they can milk businesses for rents and rates, and make decisions to deter people coming into town centres rather than attracting them.
As part of any governments efforts to stimulate growth outside of London and the South East, town centres should be classed as enterprise zones where rates are scrapped and funding made available for rejuvenation and housing within these areas. Dare I say this could be funded by a tax/levy on internet sales.
The main problem is that Landlords, Local councils and central government (and some retailers for that matter) are blind to the fact that the internet has totally changed retailing and think they can milk businesses for rents and rates, and make decisions to deter people coming into town centres rather than attracting them.
As part of any governments efforts to stimulate growth outside of London and the South East, town centres should be classed as enterprise zones where rates are scrapped and funding made available for rejuvenation and housing within these areas. Dare I say this could be funded by a tax/levy on internet sales.