For 70% a local high street is a vital part of a healthy society. It provides a mix of local identity, social cohesion plus a practical local resource.
Shopping Space
Despite the expansion of out of town alternatives, 60% think the high street should be somewhere they can do the bulk of their shopping. Half see it in equally practical terms as somewhere to go for specific things or as an ad hoc shopping place.
Meeting Place
Practicalities aside, the social role of the high street is still very important for large groups of people right across the economic and social divide. Almost two thirds (63%) feel a high street should be a place to meet people. Over half (54%) say it should be a place where the elderly can socialise or where the young can shop and meet friends safely (56%)
The function of a high street becomes even more important among the young themselves, with two thirds (66%) of younger adults studied seeing the high street’s role as a safe shopping and meeting place for the younger people.
Practicalities aside, the social role of the high street is still very important for large groups of people right across the economic and social divide
1 comment:
It is my belief that most people say ONE thing, then do another. If the percentages shown were accurate there would be no crisis in the High Street, which there clearly is.
We are all guilty of doing our shopping at Supermarkets, because of the obvious convenience of having everything (more or less) available in one outlet. An outlet where you can get a cheap hot meal, park for free for as long as you wish, and get a £5 car wash thrown in!
If we want non-supermarket goods, we either buy online or visit the large centres where all the big outlets are together, again, in a parking friendly environment.
The High Street has become the place where we buy our odds and sods, or the stuff we forgot on our main shop.
It is a sad, but inevitable, fact that WE are the guilty ones, it isn't them after all!
Post a Comment