TOWN CENTRE AND HIGH STREET 

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & REGENERATION

LEADING CONSULTANCY IN THE WEST OF ENGLAND AND WALES, BRINGING FRESH THINKING FOR BUSINESSES, DEVELOPERS AND LOCAL AUTHORITIES VIA BIDs (BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICTS) AND OTHER INNOVATIVE PARTNERSHIP APPROACHES

HIGH STREETS: NOT THE PROBLEM. THEY ARE THE SOLUTION TO NEARLY EVERYTHING!

ECONOMY 

COMMUNITY 

HOMES 

SUSTAINABILITY 

 TRANSPORT

SEE REPORT ->

1504_HIGHER STREETS.pdf

HOW TO COMPETE WITH AMAZON ET AL?

'It's all about the experience...'

Many years ago ... even decades(!) ... I worked for a top end 'retail design strategist'. They advised  many of the biggest and best from Boots to Sainsburys etc. We spent many hours thinking and discussing how retailers and 'brands' can compete with each other and with the growing threat of the internet. 

Much brighter people than myself came up with a robust means of considering shops and what they meant to the customer, in the context of their competitors and their own decision making process. These were captured in compelling summary diagrams such as the 'customer journey' or the 'brand essence' which provided the platform for insightful discussions and eventually well informed strategies.

Both are useful and interesting tools however the latter especially - see diagrams opposite. After considering in detail and then synthesising down the fundamentals (competition, credibility etc) consideration could be given to the business proposition - ie the culture, customers (target), the offer and finally the experience (whilst in the store).

Competing with Amazon et al? In most of these respects we are not sure it can be done on any meaningful scale - clearly the choice and convenience of Amazon is extraordinary.  However when it comes an enjoyable experience, having a nearby place that is the heart of the community, attractive and enjoyable to visit and offers a range of services that cannot be delivered via the internet - then a good high street remains hard to beat. 

If you want your high street to be around in a year, decade or century (perhaps) then focus on improving that experience and filling your empty shops with services that cannot yet be delivered online.

MORE IDEAS TO WHET THE APPETITE

Need inspiration? Check out this TED video on a big city turnaround success story

America - even bigger problems than the UK - but some big ideas and solutions

Creative Placemaking - ie do art and change a place... these guys know their stuff.

Finally - a good high street puts substantially improves residential values - a useful  argument to get landlords to invest in the high street

Fiinally, really - for the real keenies that get through the above  - 180+ short videos on urban design from the smartest thinkers