The Grimsey Review 2 of the vanishing High Street offers a well-worked plan.
Grimsey rightly parks key issues around planning, property and business rates firmly at central Government’s door. The rest of the document is essentially pitched at local authorities where local leaders are better placed to care, concentrate and respond to issues on their doorstep. In deed many are actively involved in taking forward locally-based approaches to revitalising town centres as Grimsey recognises in acknowledging the value of recognised in the LGA’s recent handbook on revitalising town centres.
As the LGA commented in response to Grimsey Review 2: “Many councils throughout the country are already leading the way in transforming the future potential of their town centres in the face of unprecedented changes in shopping habits and the retail landscape. We are pleased that the report backs our calls for councils to have more powers and flexibility, particularly in relation to planning, to help shape and deliver vibrant town centres.”
Much of what the new Grimsey Review says about creating alternative futures for high streets and town centres, resonates with the thinking from local government articulated in the revitalising town centres handbook.
Read our review of Grimsey’s gift to government
Download your copy of Grimsey Review 2 -the Vanishing High Street
