The government must be willing to put up resources to implement Mary Portas’ recommendations on saving UK high streets, the president of BCSC has urged.
Speaking on an Estates Gazette panel at MAPIC in Cannes, Richard Akers, also managing director of UK retail at Land Securities, said: “I think she [Portas] will come up with some sensible suggestions. How much backing the government gives to the suggestions she makes remains a major question. It’s crucial they listen very carefully.”
Akers also called for more active town centre management by local authorities to ensure high streets survive and thrive. He singled out Redcar and Woking for praise.
“Local authority leadership can be implemented and should be implemented,” he said.
Barry Hughes, vice president of global architectural practice HOK, added: “The government can play a key role in insisting that the sort of services people need on a daily basis exist on the high street. Amazon is acting as a quasi-government agency in allowing people to collect parcels from its lockers in shopping centres.”
Appearing on the same panel, James Portman, head of European operations for Clarks International, said the shoe retailer was committed to the high street – although expansion would be based outside the UK.
“In the UK with 550 stores there are not many places for us to go,” said Portman. “But in India we have opened 20 stores this year and about half of those are on high streets.”
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damian.wild@estatesgazette.com
