Adrian Griffiths writes about the urgent need to rethink the UK’s outdated shopping centre model

The past 15 years has seen the shopping centre format enter a sharp decline, exacerbated by the failure of the department stores which once reliably anchored them as well as the rise of online shopping.

Group Board Director Adrian Griffiths has written an Insight paper making the case for rethinking the once-dominant shopping centre model of monolithic, single-use, privatised town centre spaces so that our urban cores can once again serve their traditional purposes of providing a context-appropriate mix of social and commercial uses, a multi-layered experience and a strong sense of community identity.

Adrian argues that we have to consider two key principles: understanding the holistic functionality of our town centres and providing what the customer requires.

He also says that the financial model on which retail centres were previously appraised has to be completely rewritten, helping to sustain a form of mixed-use development that is adaptable, responding quickly and inexpensively to future market forces while maintaining their relevance and ultimately standing the test of time.

To read more of Adrian’s thoughts on this vital topic, please click here.

Adrian argues that we have to consider two key principles: understanding the holistic functionality of our town centres and providing what the customer requires.

He also says that the financial model on which retail centres were previously appraised has to be completely rewritten, helping to sustain a form of mixed-use development that is adaptable, responding quickly and inexpensively to future market forces while maintaining their relevance and ultimately standing the test of time.

To read more of Adrian’s thoughts on this vital topic, please click here.