London Assembly to explore future of capital's town centres

The Committee will look into questions such as what the town centres will look like in the future and how they will meet the changing needs of residents.  It will also explore whether the town centres can continue as centres for retail and employment with increasing competition from supermarkets, out-of-town shopping malls, and internet sales. 

The Committee will also look at the Mayor’s role in helping to shape London’s town centres through planning policy and funding measures. Sir Terry Farrell and other invited experts will contribute views.

The Assembly said in a statement that its Economy Committee had investigated some of the problems and barriers facing high streets earlier this year and that the Planning Committee would build on these results.

“London’s town centres are facing an uncertain future for a number of complex reasons and it is becoming increasingly clear that a conventional policy approach might not be enough to revitalise them," said Planning Committee chair Nicky Gavron. "We need a new vision for what London’s town centres will be in the future."

“We want to find out how the Mayor, local planning authorities, key stakeholders, and the public themselves can encourage growth and prosperity in a time of austerity. We have a range of extraordinary guests who will offer their visions of our future town centres.”

The meeting next week will be the first of two public hearings as part of the Committee’s investigation. The first will work towards identifying new visions for town centres and the second, which will be held in January, will look at the practical issues of implementing these visions.