The UK government is talking about "reviving high streets".
I don't go the town centre very often, as there is little that draws me to it. Coffee shops, charity shops, barbers shops. And, okay, a lovely indie board game shop, but I don't buy board games regularly.
My feeling is that a "high street", or "town centre", is an anachronism?
At least, I don't know what would have to change about our town centre, for me to want to go.
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/high-streets-revived-and-children-given-safe-places-to-play
I am fortunate that I can cycle to town in just a few minutes, and that I need to be on a road for only 100m or so. The rest is on cycle paths.
Decent covered bicycle parking would be nice, but in itself is not an attraction. More a hygiene factor.
We tend to do our food shopping weekly. We plan in advance, and cook in batches. We minimise food waste, conveniently. We schedule a delivery for a time that suits us, and can shop when we want.
Is a high street with a butcher, baker, greengrocers, grocers, chemist etc going to be open during "normal working hours" (I.e. when most people are working?), or open when more people are able to visit? Or are they weekend-only affairs?
@neil I think I'd tend to agree with you that any high street revival more needs to be an evolution. Likely smaller and focused on different services.
I think often though, the success of a town high street, is linked to the general success of the area.
Given the costs bared by smaller shops, it's hard to see how they can compete.
