A Greenwich academic gave evidence on 10 September to a newly launched parliamentary inquiry investigating the decline of high streets and town centres across the UK.
Dr Andres Coca-Stefaniak, Associate Professor at the Faculty of Business argued "high streets and town centres need to become the drivers of the society we want to have in the future. Research currently under way at the University of Greenwich shows that visitors and residents alike value authenticity rather than 'clone towns', enticing experiences rather than bland shopping and that quality of life is important too. People want more than what many town centres are able to offer at present. Attractive markets, smarter mobility options, as well as safe and eventful places that foster a sense of belonging and community cohesion are the answer. In an age of growing online shopping, retail on its own is no longer the answer for town centres to survive."
Dr Coca-Stefaniak was invited to provide evidence to the Housing, Communities and Local Government select committee in the Houses of Parliament as part of the "High streets and town centres in 2030" inquiry, which is investigating the present decline of Britain's high streets and innovative solutions for the future.
Find out more about High streets and town centres in 2030 inquiry.
Contact:
Dr Andres Coca-Stefaniak, Associate Professor in Tourism and Events, University of Greenwich, Email: a.coca-stefaniak@gre.ac.uk
For more information about relevant on-going research projects at the University of Greenwich, see:
