The Changing Face of the High Street: Decline and Revival

A review of retail and town centre issues in historic areas
This report is the product of research commissioned by English Heritage, in partnership with the Historic Towns Forum, to better understand what has changed in recent years. It looks in detail at the current policy and retail context and what they might mean for historic town centres and high streets.
Town centres and high streets are at a critical point, in many ways needing to reinforce and redefine their role and function in response to huge economic shifts and a new national planning policy context.
These challenges have a particular resonance for historic town centres where the sustained and successful stewardship of historic retail districts, buildings, streets and spaces is intertwined with the ongoing health of the retail sector.
The report considers emerging trends and their effect on historic high streets and town centres. It also identifies and analyses a series of case studies in different contexts, where local authorities and others have sought to renew and revive their high streets and town centres.
Contents
- Overview
- Past, present and future
- Policy context
- Retail trends and town centres
- Themes and case studies
- Lessons learnt and recommendations
Additional Information
- Series: Guidance
- Publication Status: Completed
- Product Code: 51825
Accessibility
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Also of interest...
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Historic Centres and Streets
See our downloadable report which looks at current retail trends and what they might mean for historic town centres and high streets.