How to Stimulate Town Centres in a Recession

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Tendring Matters Autumn 2009

Tendring Matters Spring 2009

Image of MASTERCLASS

Local Councils have a major role to play in helping to prevent high street decline in north Essex and Suffolk during the recession.

That was the message to Councillors from Tendring, Colchester and Ipswich who were provided with a master class in how they could positively stimulate town centres in their areas.

They heard how the number of empty shops nationally had risen by 42 per cent (from 63,500 to 90,000) between December 2008 and February 2009.

Household names such as Woolworths, MFI and Zavvi have already become victims of the recession and most national brands have reduced their outlets - no one is immune.

But Councils - through the planning process - can provide both direct intervention and positive support in the short, medium and long term.

Tony Collins, of Collins and Coward Planning and Development Consultancy, said there was an opportunity now to give temporary planning permissions and relax enforcement.

Looking ahead it was about planning permissions, regeneration companies, Local Development Orders, Town Centre Area Action Plans, Local Strategic Partnerships and Business Investment Districts.

And longer term they should be using the Local Development Framework and consider overriding easements and covenants to stimulate town centres.

"Success will come from a whole range of measures and initiatives to increase town centre footfall and spending - but we need to act now," said Mr Collins.

"These measures include free or discounted car parking and shopping vouchers, free park and ride, allowing alternative uses for shops, centralising markets, introducing specialist markets, indoor markets and taking short term leases on shops."

Communities Secretary Hazel Blears earlier this month unveiled Government action promoting the management of town centres and temporarily converting empty shops into social enterprises, local art displays and learning centres in a bid to halt high street decline.

It has set aside up to £3million to help communities find creative ways to reduce the impact empty shops have on a town centre.

The master class at the Ramada Hotel, Ardleigh, was organised by INTend, Tendring District Council's (TDC) regeneration company.

It was part of a Member Development Programme currently being undertaken by Councillors from Tendring District Council, Ipswich Borough Council and Colchester Borough Council.

The programme was set up last year and the three authorities are working in partnership to promote learning and development opportunities at each of the three Councils.

The half-day master class included presentations on 'Town Centres - the Downturn and Beyond', 'Managing Town Centres in a Recession', and Town Centres After Hours'.

It also included workshops and a feedback session.

David Lines, Leader of TDC who attended the master class, said the evidence shows that the role of town centres - particularly the smaller ones - is evolving away from trying to be all-purpose shopping centres to a more mixed and specialist approach, including active community use such as markets and book fairs.

"It is also a breakaway from the cloned high streets that arose from the town planning of the 1960's - something I personally welcome," he added.

"We face a wonderful opportunity to hand back our town centres to our local communities, to reinvent and use in their own way. The current consultation on the Local Development Framework is a good way for them to get involved."

20/4/09