Will local authorities in the towns of the south east arrest, and even reverse, the decline of their centres by providing new cultural facilities? That is the question faced by many councillors as well as retailers and landlords. At a time when a percentage of shoppers have chosen online retailing, there is a real challenge for local authorities to take the initiative in underpinning their centres’ activities.
This is not simply a case of making shopping areas more vibrant and attractive but a semi derelict retail offer will undermine the whole economy of the town. How many UK towns celebrated the boost to business that came from a new shopping centre in helping to pull in a wide range of office occupiers? Now the hope for many councils is that the tech and digital businesses expand in the centres and add something to the expansion of cultural facilities. That is the view in Worthing with the expansion of Colonnade House and also Ramsgate where there is a vigorous digital sector.
Ashford has taken a broader approach with substantial and high quality development. In many ways the town is the poster boy for regeneration in the south east. The hope at the moment must be that these sterling efforts by councils will not be undermined by the panic of the coronavirus.