94 | Tees Business
TEES TALK
Steve Cochrane, chief executive, Psyche
“People’s spending habits are changing and the high
streets, including many retailers, have rested on their
laurels for too long. There are too many shops and
there’s too much on offer, so the correction is long
overdue.
“Our high streets can have a bright future but they
have to change to meet the demands of the consumer. Big
department stores have been particularly slow to evolve but it’s
vital retailers give consumers as many different ways to buy as
possible.
“At the same time, rates should be abolished and replaced
with something that reflects a percentage of the business’s
turnover. It’s going to be painful and more big names will go but
I’m confident there’ll be plenty of opportunities in 2019.”
Graeme Skillen, manager, Cleveland Centre
“The current challenges facing UK high streets are the
rise of online shopping, which has had a huge impact
on consumer habits, and the impact of business rates
on retailers. To survive, high streets need to evolve,
and I believe they’re now doing this, albeit slightly too
late for some.
“Smaller, independent businesses need to be nurtured to
ensure we create the shops of the future. Local authorities
need to review business rates and look at incentives for the
retail sector. Retailers need to offer an improved customer
experience for shoppers, including the store environment itself
and levels of customer service.”
Neil Schneider, chief executive, Stockton Council
“Out of town centres - which incredibly are still
receiving planning approval - online shopping and
supermarkets that sell almost everything are having
a huge impact on our high streets. Business rates
together with high rent and lease costs forced by
property investors are providing challenges for retailers, while
nearly 200 UK shopping centres are reportedly on the brink of
going into administration.
“Our town centres need to shrink retail space and be
repurposed as big community hubs where retail plays a part.
Every town centre needs to define its own unique offer by
looking into its heritage and the communities they serve. In
Stockton, we have a twice-weekly market, a speciality market
programme, a programme of events and performances.”
Michelle McPhee
City centre manager, Middlesbrough Council
“It is all too easy to point the finger of blame at the
rise of online retailing and out-of-town shopping.
These channels are a fact of life and are going nowhere
anytime soon. The approach Middlesbrough is taking is
to supplement the assets of the high street, giving visitors
an experience they can never get from the alternatives.
“We are tailoring our strategy to appeal to consumer wants,
as well as their needs. People want to dine with friends, catch a
show, try new experiences, engage with culture and be social.
High streets need to deliver more of this type of activity.”
Nigel Willis, managing director, First Choice Labels
“I think the high street of the future is going to be
made up of niche shops offering unique items tailored
to their particular customers’ wants and needs. Good
examples would be the growth in cafés and shops
What is wrong with UK high streets and how
do they need to change to secure a bright
future? That’s the question we put to nine
of the Tees region’s business, retail and local
authority leaders
catering for food allergies and destination shops such as Black
Slab in Redcar, offering a mixture of vinyl and fashion.
“The high street will have to work hard to keep customers
engaged in the face of technological competition. The draw of
cheap prices together with home delivery via the internet will
simply be too strong to compete with. Most household items
will be supplied by out-of-town supermarkets offering free
parking and discount prices.”
Joe Darragh, head of commercial property, Mandale
“For me, the retail parks are winning. Local councils
and central government need to abolish business
rates, reduce rents and clamp down on aggressive
traffic wardens.
“They should give landlords grants to make their
properties more attractive because too often councils
spend money on the town or city centres but landlords don’t
spend a penny on their properties. Without real change, it’s
understandable that retailers will locate to an out-of-town retail
park rather that a tatty town centre property.”
Richard Wilson, senior associate partner,
Dodds Brown
“The challenges affecting town centres will not go
away. Every town centre is different and requires
its own bespoke vision and action plan, but creating
new anchors, broadening the offer and an events
programme should be part of any strategy to help reduce
an over reliance on retail.
“Middlesbrough is already adapting by creating new anchors
with developments like Centre Square, Boho Next Generation,
Albert North and the Sub Zero snow centre, and with public
events like the Orange Pip Market. The next stage is to attract
quality residential development.”
Peter Walker, owner, Curing House
“The problem with the UK’s high streets is that they
are all virtually the same. In every town and city we
see the same brands and chains. The solution is for
a break from the norm - a unique offer in every town,
with independent businesses providing interesting and
diverse products and services.
“We need tailors, shoemakers and jewellers making and
selling their own goods alongside quality entertainment. Modern
consumers are looking for experiences so a visit to the high
street needs to satisfy that. Local and national governments
need to make it easier for people with ideas to bring them to
market.”
Cllr Bob Norton, cabinet member for economic
growth, Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council
“Online shopping and out-of-town retail has hurt
town centres nationwide. In Redcar and Cleveland,
we’re working with local traders through our High
Street Support Scheme, which offers grant funding to
bring units back into use, while we’ve launched a place
marketing project to change perceptions of our borough.
“Developing high streets as centres for activities other than
retail, such as leisure and event spaces, can drive people into
the centres and support the shops. A combination of retail and
leisure, and - where appropriate - residential is key.”