What will it look like in 50 years....

[Tashyboy]

Our local Town (Yeovil) is reckoned to be one the most thriving in the county but the bottom end of the town has shops that have been empty for years.

For me one of the big factors over the years has been the cost of parking in town centres.

Jim for you and most other Joe Public persons inc me you are Bob on re the parking, but the local councillors think you are wrong. We are fortunate that according to our local Mayor, Kate Allsop we have a vibrant town centre, and we have also painted the bins and benches black and gold. So there you have it. The parking Gestapo do there best to keep people out of the town centre.
A few years ago I was on a council committee. That year the council made £250,000 in parking, it subsidised the local theatre to the tune of £250,000. How is that right.
If you need your nails doin whilst having an eyesight test, and eating a burger, whilst topping up your phone. Then the high street is your No 1 place to be.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Bracknell has just gone through massive regeneration (boy did it need it) but even now there are still units unleased and the part of the old indoor centre left is a void with Argos, WH Smith/post office the only two big retailers in there. To be fair the eating and drinking options are superb now and plenty of big names in town. However what will happen in twenty years time? No doubt the new centre will be showing it's age and dependant on the state of the economy then we could be back to closed shops, charity shops and small independent retailers

I think the retail park will have its day too. Will the demand for housing become too strong? Already some are struggling (like the High Street). Shopping habits will continue to evolve and I've no doubt online will dominate, but town centres and retail parks will have to evolve and offer different experiences to get footfall