Out-Law News 1 min. read
10 Jul 2013, 3:55 pm
The DCLG yesterday published the 'Future of the High Streets' (23-page / 114KB PDF) report setting out its review of the Portas schemes it has launched over the last year.
The schemes implemented recommendations on how to revive town centres set out by retail expert Mary Portas last year following her review of the country's high streets, including setting up and providing funding and support for 27 Portas Pilots and 333 Town Team Partners.
The DCLG said in the report that, although the Portas Pilots are not the "complete solution to the problems faced by the high streets", they have been "a valuable testing ground for ideas and actions which others can learn from". "They are long term projects which can help spread best practice," it said.
The report said that, over the next six months, the Government will consult on further relaxation of the planning regulations to help communities consolidate high streets through conversions from "some retail" to residential property.
The Government will continue to explore ways of making the most of flats above shops, "whether to increase the supply of housing or to change these into offices, whatever best suits local needs", the report said.
It will also launch a Business Improvement Districts Loans Fund which will provide assistance to town wishing to introduce a new Business Improvement District (BID) and implement regulations allowing BIDs to operate across a wider area. In addition, a consultation will be launched "soon" on a new model for BIDs lead by property owners, according to the report.
"Neither the Government nor Mary Portas set out to preserve a historic or stereotype of the high street, dominated by the butcher, baker and grocer," the DCLG said in the report. "Instead, we want to enable people to create public spaces which work for local economies and societies now and in the future."
"Neither internet shopping nor out of town retail are going away, and both have an important role to play in offering consumers choice and competition. But the high street can offer so much more: a bustling centre to a community, where people can gather for cultural, entertainment and social activities as well as shopping, eating, and evening activities," it added.
