Somerset towns bidding for their share of a £1m pot to regenerate their High Streets will have to think creatively about how they might spend their £100,000 allocation, according to Colliers International planning specialist James Edwards.
His comments follow the announcement that five Somerset towns – Chard, Wellington, Taunton, Wincanton and Burnham – have submitted bids to secure a share of a £1m fund to revive England’s struggling high streets.
The government scheme is being backed by TV retail guru, Mary Portas.
Bristol-based planning specialist James Edwards said while the money might be welcome, the fund would not extend to sweeping changes in how we shop.
He said: “The rise of out of town retail and leisure facilities, with better access and parking provision, and the availability of internet shopping has fundamentally changed consumer attitudes to shopping and leisure and their need to visit a town centre at all.”
“While these towns are naturally keen on attracting any money they can to help promote their shopping precincts to counter this trend, the plain fact is that £100,000 isn’t going to be enough to change the local population’s shopping habits overnight.”
James Edwards said town centres offered much more than just retail facilities. They usually included historic and civic buildings, churches, museums, restaurants and leisure activities.
“With small amounts of money to play with, councils must think creatively about how each £1 they might receive can generate additional money and value in town centres through increasing visitor numbers.
“The £100,000 would be better spent on raising the profile of town centre, highlighting what they have to offer and strengthening local trade associations at ground level.
“It is great that attention is finally being focussed upon the hearts of our towns and cities, but we do ulitimately need to look at the underlying causes for the decline of town centres rather than dealing with the symptoms on their own.”