The High Street

Hello folks, I know we don’t have an officially named “High Street” as such, but you will get the drift. I received the article below from regular contributor David Jamieson the other day. Some thought provoking stuff here from David. It is a sad sight though that so many High Street establishments are disappearing. You may have a different view to David’s. That’s fine. There is after all many variables to consider. But maybe the important thing to take on board is that High Street outlets are suffering…..whatever the reason(s). What can be done about it?

Anyway, here’s David’s article below. What do you think?

The High Street is Dead, Long Live The High Street

The High Street Is Dead – Long Live The High Street

My recent letter to the ‘Standard’ was quite presciently printed the day House of Fraser announced 31 store closures. 

Whilst I have received great feedback from people who know me, there was also a response in the newspaper from a person stating I was incorrect regarding Cartridge World’s closure. However I was referring to an email Cartridge World had sent to me, and the respondee didn’t include e.g. ‘Manager, Cartridge World’ in his address.  Make of that what you will…

So, having accepted that the High Street as we know it has a limited life, to fix it requires surgery, and probably my most challenging suggestion for the council is the inclusion of local people representing small businesses and residents, in high street planning decisions.

Other initial thoughts include:

1/ Converting empty premises-let’s start with BHS (what an eyesore!) to:

a/ Offices e.g. hot-desking for entrepreneurs working away from home needing just the basics; desk space, broadband/internet connection, printing, drinks and meeting spaces, something like the (university) Riverside Innovation Centre offers, but right in the city centre, creating footfall for local businesses

b/ Leisure use e.g. a central gym, or indoor golf or wall climbing games areas

c/ Private accommodation, be it upmarket or affordable housing

d/ Youth Club / training / work experience

e/ Student accommodation-a last resort…

2/ Longstanding Vacant Properties

Allowing existing retailers to take over longstanding vacant neighbouring properties using a shortened planning etc. process, and making it work financially with reduced rent/rates, at least initially

Overall the above would result in a mix of housing, offices and shops, and naturally there may be some challenges, e.g.

Parking; so kill off the unnecessary white elephant aka the Northgate Development (update-House of Fraser have pulled out) and instead use funds to provide affordable housing and parking for both commuters and residents.  It would be idiotic for the council to proceed with their increasingly obsolete plans. 

I have a question; if they weren’t playing with our money, but instead using their own personal savings would they make the same decision?  I wonder!

Long leases; if there are issues (as may be the case with BHS?) or owners are sitting on land/property waiting for the value to increase, is compulsory purchase an option or what other means are available to the council?  If they say there are none, then it’s time for a rethink, and if local/national legislation doesn’t exist, create it!

It is possible to address issues regarding additional and affordable housing by utilising vacant property; is there a good reason private accommodation and ships cannot co-exist as they do in smaller communities, Hoole Village for example?

This simple transformation can have a positive effect on crime, however a Kent Police report on the subject highlights that “…it does require some thought and imagination at the outset of the design process. The best solutions often result from a co-ordinated approach; bringing together the ideas and experience of the developer, the designer, the local authority, the police and the community.”

Community.  Read it and weep. 

My personal impression of our city planners, given the carnage dealt to our city over the years via carbuncles on the high street and elsewhere is incompetence at best, and other-unprintable-thoughts.

It can be done; having just returned from a weekend break I found supporting evidence in two other cities I visited:

Coventry; the city centre includes a mix of housing and shops at street level with an adjacent upper and lower level precinct, and with a university on its doorstep (like Chester) there was a great vibe about the place.

Lichfield; a small city (like Chester) that has preserved its uniqueness with busy streets full of small independent traders with (unlike Chester) fewer large organisations and charity shops, and I also noticed few empty buildings…

Is there a genuine reason why Chester cannot take the best from other cities and towns and replicate it here?

Frodsham Street probably creates the first impression for shoppers and tourists travelling here by bus, and what an impression-Charity/Pound Street…

Brook Street

Brook Street however is a fine example of independents and multiculturalism which thrived on easy and free parking-since removed and replaced by Civil Enforcement Officers aka Traffic Wardens – who won’t be replacing the missing customers any day soon…

I’ve just had a skim read of CEWAC “A guide to doing business in Chester city centre” and nowhere does it refer to how to address empty/derelict properties, likewise Cheshire Destination Management Plan 2015-2018. 

Why, doesn’t it matter? 

We must focus on positivity, but the negatives won’t simply disappear…

I am (mostly) proud of Chester, the city of my birth and where I live, and I hope that others feel the same, including newcomers; we all want to live in a prosperous city of which we can feel proud, but I feel the ‘powers that be’ are spending too much time looking in the rear view mirror rather than facing up to what lies ahead, in retail’s new world order. 

What do you think dear reader?

Am I asking too much?

David Jamieson

Thanks as ever for the input David. As I said earlier, some thought provoking points to consider. On the face of it some of them seem quite ‘doable’ in at least the short or medium term. Certainly a fair few points to consider.

Other Articles From David Jamieson

You may already be familiar with David’s other posts. If not, you can find them here….

If you missed David’s previous articles you can find them here……

Mental Health – A Holistic Approach

You can find this article HERE

Good Mental and Physical Health

More HERE

Are You Lonesome Tonight

Read more by clicking HERE

Mental Health Awareness

Find out more by clicking HERE

All very useful and helpful articles. Thanks for your valued contribution David.

And David’s website……

www.davidjamiesoncoaching.co.uk

For More Information on Chester and Chester Lifestyle

If you wish to know more about the beautiful city of Chester and Chester Lifestyle – click HERE.