People sitting on their huge settees scrolling through their websites on their mobile phones ordering everything online and they continue to gain weight. Who'd have thought it!
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Happy St George's Day Guest
Death of the High Street
- Thread starter DoctorMick
- Start date
JAZZMANB
Striker
Parking charges existed in the towns heyday , when there was nothing out of town we all went to town ,often on busses . We headed to retail parks as soon as they appeared and We flocked to Asda when they started selling everything you used to buy from small shops and We love the whole online thing
I'd be very surprised if it's everywhere
I always wonder what goes through people's minds when another restaurant starts up ,usually on the site of 10 others before it .
Can't think of any line of business that will have a flying start this day and age to want to get a unit and go for it .
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droppedshoulder
Full Back
I work in an Amazon warehouse. I think amazon have been surprised how busy they still are after the shops opened back up, I heard the reduction they expected from the very high demand of lock down has not reduced.
The soap powder
Winger
People want convenience these days as cheap as possible and as quick as possible is the modern way
Unfortunately this is difficult to do on the high street for any small business
Unfortunately this is difficult to do on the high street for any small business
Wild Card
Winger
Unfortunately that would take some form of thought from the valuations office. They are up their with the worst departments you will ever come across. They almost bust our business before it started with their appalling advice and approach to charging rates.
On the other hand, i expected the council to be the thorn in our sides from what you read in papers etc but Durham council were excellent to us, probably saved me from going bust to be honest.
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It's the opposite of that. The car centric planning of the last few decades has led to these masses of soulless out of town shopping centres which in turn has damaged the town centre.
Unpicking that now is really difficult as you're battling deeply ingrained car culture (driving everywhere for everything is just what people do because it's so easy) and infrastructural issues. No one wants tons of people driving into town centres, it's awful for air quality and congestion, the progressive city centres are doing the opposite and looking to improve public transport access and make it safer for people to walk and cycle in from a few miles away.
The issue really is systemic, rather than an individual reason. People place high value in the 'experience' these days and I think we need to look at how to tap into that. The high street will evolve into more of a mixed use area I think. More hospitality and cultural uses, less retail. I can see some units being taken on by places like museums or art galleries, shops becoming cafes through the day, bars in the evenings. It's going to need a lot of change from central government to completely overhaul their business rates model.
Pedestrianise the street as much as possible, offer improved and reduced cost public transport, plant some trees and remove some of the grey tarmac, sort out good seating areas. You've got to make it a real destination, especially through the warmer months. Give people a reason to come into the area, an experience they can't get online or at some shit metal box retail park at the side of an A road.
Osklen
Winger
one of the issues with the high street is that the historic buildings with city centres were not suitable for modern retail (big sheds) and space in city centres meant it was difficult to create these places hence out of town retail occurred. Same is true for out of town business parks - it was short sighted and pushed people to use cars rather than public transport as car parking is often free.
As you have said re parking - parking charges have always been there. The issue with the argument that councils should provide free parking is a difficult one as their finances have been cut so much that they need revenue to cover the costs to finance, maintain and runs these facilities.
In a world of everybody hoying out whatever mental idea they think of first, that sounds like a very well reasoned & sensible post.
Unfortunately people are wedded to their cars. As soon as anyone mentions going somewhere usually the first issue is "Where can I park?".
Getting rid of cars is a great idea but will need a huge change within people's psychology to fully embrace public transport.
Pnematic
Midfield
I parked up in Wigan once - 1 hour limit on the street.
Next thing robocop arrived ( he was literally dressed for combat)- videod me and my car and the rear wheels which were not on any lines. Videod me going to the pay and display.
So I took out my phone and videod him videoing me. He said I couldn’t do this and if I didn’t stop he would call the police. I said “ go and fuck yourself you pie munching yak head “
Meanwhile anti social behaviour prevails and shoppers / visitors are targeted- Wigan town centre is a ghost town.... the money has gone to Middlebrook Centre ( Horwich) or the Trafford Centre.... or on line.
I have no further details on robocop.
FN-2187
Winger
Mentioned it in the whisky thread. Was out shopping yesterday as want to use shops.
However, got a bottle in the shop yesterday for £63, which online is anything from £45-£52.
Now, I don't mind the hit as I wasn't planning on getting anything, but can fully understand why people do online.
However, got a bottle in the shop yesterday for £63, which online is anything from £45-£52.
Now, I don't mind the hit as I wasn't planning on getting anything, but can fully understand why people do online.
I forgot to mention the importance of a Monorail to ferry people in and out.
Aye, it's a challenge certainly. At the end of the day though people will pretty much always take the path of least resistance. If public transport is quicker and more convenient than driving, people use it. If driving is easier, then they'll do that.
It'll require a carrot and stick approach. You need to offer a genuine alternative to the car, but you've also got to actively make it less desirable to drive everywhere for everything. It takes a lot of political will which is unfortunately few and far between, though the tide is slowly turning.
Wild Card
Winger
Yeah it's hard for The high street shops to compete with the online ones in that regard.
They need to focus one the shopping experience. For example whey could have a counter and a trained staff member that on certain days of the week cracks open a decent bottle or so and talks you through it and let's you try it.
I think successful high streets will end up more boutique in the future. Back to focus of personal service and good experience in a nice shop.
FN-2187
Winger
The lass is lovely and knows her stuff. And to be honest while it was £10 more it didn't bother me. Enjoyed wandering around the shop, having a crack on with her. Worth the extra for me.
We used to make a day of it when we going shopping and looking forward to that again.
So you’ve just described why face to face is better there. For a soulless shop, with no decent interaction, they’re competing on product & price. That product is likely to be available online, probably cheaper.
I agree with the sentiments of most, the shops that will be left with be boutique & an experience, rather than a quick 2min in & out to pick something up. Ah dinnar, wedding dresses. Aye, the lass wants to try them on, but it’s an event, going with her family/mates, having a drink, taking their time. How many lasses buy blindly online for their wedding dress, because they’d miss out of that experience
ontap
Striker
The whole set up of buying online now is so instant and convenient the high street stores are finished , people can order a wide choose of clothes. , get Em delivered next day , try em on , choose the ones they like and return the rest foc, it’s a no brainer , other than old twats like me that don’t have any reason to pay stupid prices for designer stuff and consequently occasionally binge in Primark ( wife came back with 2prs of jeans ,pr of trainers and a hoodie for me last week £28.00 ) , all the young uns can buy everything they need using a phone.
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Footyboots
Full Back
Let’s face it there was a time we had a cashless Society. Swapping a sheep for a years worth of cheese. Then goods were sold off the back of a cart, until shops were created and little village centres were born. Fast forward about 100 years we have just kept evolving. People want to use their precious time outdoors, socialising and not trawling around shops which have been so generic you could be on any high street in the county. Perhaps villages could expand the retail offer with independent shops. Something you can’t get on line. Or simply with better service. Outdoor markets would work well with the ongoing Covid restrictions. Sadly my city centre is too far gone to be revived. Can see it all turning to residential soon.
