Description:
High streets and town centres have featured prominently in public discussion for many years, a tradition which has carried on under the last Coalition Government. The review undertaken by Mary Portas in 2011 echoed concerns remarkably similar to those set out in reports commissioned over twenty years previously, with the impact of the Internet and on-line shopping adding to the familiar pressures out-of-town shopping and a decline of independent retailers.
This seminar takes stock of policy for high streets and town centres and of the contribution to the ‘high street offer’ of elements like street markets, arts, and culture. Delegates are invited to engage with the speakers throughout the day, and there will be an opportunity to participate in an in-depth discussion in the afternoon session, led by Julian Dobson, author of How to save our town centres.
Programme*
9:30: Registration and refreshments
09:55: Welcome: Andrew Jones
10:00: Two Decades of Town Centre Management: Where we have been and where we are going: Ojay McDonald, Policy Manager, Association of Town & City Management
11:00: Arts, Culture and Town Centres: Lessons from international experience: Ged Gibbon
12:00: Love Your Markets: How markets support town centres: Graham Wilson, Chief Executive of the National Association of British Market Authorities
13:00: Lunch
14:00: Preparing for the Future: The town centre in ten years’ time Julian Dobson, Urban Pollinators
- What will be the biggest challenges and how can local authorities be prepared for them?
- Who are town centres for?
- How can town centres fulfil their potential? Grand plans or organic adaptation?
16:00: Close
* This programme was correct at the time of publication but may be altered to reflect speaker changes that are beyond our control.