The future of town centers? - Discussion

[littleme]

Yeah, it always struck me as 'odd' that the shops are mostly open when people earning money are mostly at work (9-5 weekdays), I hadn't considered the whole 1 working person in a household aspect I guess.

I still find it odd that weekdays can be busy with shoppers who have disposable capital

Weekdays are busy with the people who work in retail having to shop, as they work at the weekend.& have days off in the week......

 

[Glam]

Weekdays are busy with the people who work in retail having to shop, as they work at the weekend.& have days off in the week......

Or those who work in healthcare, that work every weekend.

 

[Jade-clothing]

Massive and inaccurate generalisation. I am raising one of todays children and I can assure you that shopping in real shops, particularly for clothes, shoes, books and gifts is still essential to todays youth. They will internet shop for stuff, but to say that they will not be raised on the requirements of the high street how we were is inaccurate guff -to be frank!! Kids like to shop, but they'll get a bargain online if possible too!

Having said that, the high street needs to change. Building societies, banks, insurance brokers, council offices, none of these are really needed and certainly not in the numbers currently provided. Council Offices should infact be located out of town in some cheap industrial unit, not in prime town centre locations that cost the tax payer a bleedin fortune.

Adapt is what high streets need to do, probably reduce in size as well. Like I've said on another thread, most of what is north of the market square in Stafford could easily be converted to residential properties.

I totally agree, I have four children aged from 14 to 30, so a good age range to use as test subjects lol and they all buy online but they all also love to shop on the High Street. Probably get it from me haha. I think it depends what you are buying but we all prefer to buy clothing in a 'real' shop and online for bargains, gadgets, games etc

 

[kyoto49]

Great topic.

The current generation and their kids will be brought on internet shopping and social media interaction etc etc, thatis before further evolvement to make human interactions and shopping habits even less demanding.

This is what you said and I disagreed. I provided evidence based on real life as to why you were widely inaccurate in your prognosis of the future of shopping. @Jade-clothing agreed with me based on her real actual life experience, so our words are based on real evidence, not some council driven agenda b/s

It is an accurate generalisation indeed. Out shopping habits have moved on considerably from the last 15 years plus.

You honestly saying retail parks, supermarkets and internet shopping especially have had no impact....then you are deluded.

Where did I say this? Stop making sh*t up.

I know older folk who hardly know how to switch on a pc but have discovered interr shopping. You think of the impact when this current new generation are grown with access to IT from a young age I certainly never had. That's before the technology advances of the next 15 years are taken in account.

I know the impact, I live with it daily, and it's like I said, Internet shopping is OK for nick nacks, stuff you know will be what you expect, but girls still love to shop........y'know, in real actual shops, no matter how proficient their IT skills. People are social beings, they like to meet friends, go to town. Get over it!

To move councils out of town centres is just a stilly idea.

let us empty town centres of major employers so even less people are in town.

Says who? You? Large expensive town centre council offices that hardly any members of the public need to visit is the most out-dated aspect of town centres. It's a remnant of a bygone feudal time. We're in the 21st century now where business can almost always be done by phone or online. And despite what you say, if Stafford is an attractive place to shop as you keep banging on about then these workers will be only too happy to spend their money in town when they aren't at work, rather than be forced to be in town due to office location. Plus, if we convert these office blocks to residences then the office workers will be replaced by residents.....derrrrrr

Let us empty the large buildings, some times historical buildings to he left empty..maybe forever.

Only in Stafford! In other towns they adapt their beautiful buildings for a modern purpose. The Shire Hall would be an amazing place for independant shops and a cafe.

Let us make councils completely inaccessible and move them from centralised locations, many have occupied for centuries

As I said above, councils no longer need to be in town cos no-one needs to visit their posh shiny debt inducing offices in the modern world.

Please please never be a councillor...scary ideas.

Luddite..........

 

[BobClay]

We evolve, times change and we have to get used to it. I have an old map somewhere showing how many buildings in the town centre used to be pubs, That was how society was at that time. We are experiencing different business, society and social issues so will move towards a different way of living. I think we are moving towards more bars, eateries and smaller shops on the high street with larger chains in centres. I walked through the riverside development the other day and thought "if it wasn't popular nobody would be here" and it was pretty busy. When the rest of the food outlets open, it will be even busier. This is still part of the centre but away from the high street, so I think it will still contribute to the over all economy of the area, as well as increased footfall. I can see a few more businesses like Bean Encounter, Oatcakes & Milkshakes, Belle's coffee shop or the new Tea Rooms opening up in town, especially once they sort the North End of the high street and Kingsmead out.
I also think you will always get people with a glass half empty or half full and they will never change in their opinions.

We never had a glass. Only rich Littleworth kids had glasses in my day.

 

[Gramaisc]

In Roman times, the square in the town centre was important as a meeting place, they called it the Forum.

 

[The Hawk]

In Roman times, the square in the town centre was important as a meeting place, they called it the Forum.

Whereas in Greek times, the square of the hypotenuse was equal to the sum of the squares of the other two sides.

 

[kyoto49]

Whereas in Greek times, the square of the hypotenuse was equal to the sum of the squares of the other two sides.

Is it not anymore?

 

[BobClay]

It always was, long before the Sun formed, the Earth formed and those little human beings that think they're the biggest deal in the Universe appeared. Personally I think the Romans got it right.

 

[The Hawk]

Is it not anymore?

Not since it was hip to be square.

 

[proactive]

Not since it was hip to be square.

ROFL

 

[Gramaisc]

Not since it was hip to be square.

'Cos it's a sin to have a tan these days?

 

[Jonah]

This thread is going off on a tangent...

 

[Glam]

This thread is going off on a tangent...

View attachment 3724

Nowt new there.

 

[c0tt0nt0p]

Not since it was hip to be square.

Huey Lewis has a lot to answer for....

 

[BobClay]

'Cos it's a sin to have a tan these days?

I can co-sign that. (Oh dear, I can't believe I went for that one.)

 

[proactive]

I can co-sign that. (Oh dear, I can't believe I went for that one.)

The forum just sucks you in that way. There's no turning back now...

 

[Gramaisc]

Time for @Admin to get the cosh out?

 

[proactive]

Time for @Admin to get the cosh out?

That would go well with the whips and leather thigh-highs @Carole says she buys in town...

 

[gilbert grape]

In Roman times, the square in the town centre was important as a meeting place, they called it the Forum.

It'll never catch on.....