The Beyond Retail Report, with its recommendations on the future of retail and town centres, was produced in November 2013.
The report states:
- Strong leadership is a pre-requisite for repositioning, redevelopment and long-term master planning to meet the demands of modern communities.
- Town centre challenges are serious and solutions are overdue.
- There must be a clear vision for rejuvenated town centres, which are fit for the future.
- Recommendations for changes cannot be carried out without significant support from key decision makers in the commercial and public sectors.
- All stakeholders have a role to play: individuals, local councils, local and national businesses and government.
On St. Austell, the report says:
- The town is suffering from a range of competition and unique series of circumstances – geographical and historical
- The centre is small and hilly and no longer serves its original purpose and is accessed by a number of small narrow roads.
- Small, pedestrianised town centre is dominated by White River Place.
- The centre is suffering from a lack of demand and spend and road and rail links make access easy to larger and better retail in Plymouth and Truro.
- White River Place has not really added anything to the town centre except for the cinema.
- Ellandi, the centre manager and the new BID manager are working to create a focus and strategy for St. Austell.
- St Austell needs to act fast to find a new level of differentiation for the town as it cannot complete on a retail level with out of town locations or competing towns
- It can change to provide a unique focus that cannot be found elsewhere in order to attract residents and visitors back into town centre, potentially focussing on the leisure and food and beverage offer.
The Chamber plans to lead on forming a working group made up of Chamber members, councillors and in conjunction with Bids to look at the recommendations in the report, and to what extent the Chamber can lead on implementation and assessment of the recommendations the report makes.
We will specifically plan to look at the impact of the following factors on town centre business:
- The use of the Internet,
- Car parking and charges,
- Accessibility for all, (including public transport)
- Government planning policies, and
- The economic climate
To Download a copy visit the BCSC site here
Please email Jessica Milln (Chamber Secretary) if you would like to be part of this working group.
