The next generation: The future of our town centres

Our high streets are changing. In this insight we consider the future of our town centres, with specific focus on young people, how they engage with centres and what this means for high streets of the future.

Town centres are continuing to face significant challenges in a period of unprecedented change. Continued growth in internet shopping, an increasing consumer focus on convenience, the rise of discount shopping and the continued evolution of out of centre retailing has all contributed to a fall in demand for physical retail floorspace and resulted in increased vacancy levels in centres across the UK.

The high street was already experiencing significant change but COVID-19 has accelerated this, bringing seismic changes to shopping and working patterns. As a result, stakeholders across the industry are considering how the high street might look in a new era, with changes previously planned for the next decade now being taken today.