What role will Street Furniture play in the future of the high street?
The future of the high street is an incredibly unpredictable one. According to a Deloitte study, since 2016 more retailers have been closing than opening, as factors such as increasingly tough trading conditions and shifts in social behaviours are evolving.
But does that mean the high street has no future? Far from it. But what is clear, is that everyone has a part to play in its success, including the government, construction businesses involved in its development/re-development, retailers, and consumers.
It isn’t just the retailers and their offerings that will impact in the success of the high street; construction businesses, product suppliers, and local planning authorities will play their part in designing engaging urban spaces to encourage consumers to visit high street spaces.
Street furniture has a key role within this realm, offering sub-contractors and main contractors important products to help in the strategy to draw back visitors and create a thriving community space.
What does the future look like for the high street?
John Timpson, chairman of one of the UK’s most recognisable retail brands – Timpson, was entrusted to lead a 2018 government review into what the future UK high street would look like.
Back in 2018 the outlook wasn’t hugely positive, but then the pandemic accelerated any further negative movement.
However, Timpson believes there remains a positive outlook if local authorities and construction businesses work together to convert derelict high street spaces into thriving community hubs.
This is becoming increasingly evident in high streets up and down the UK, notably Barnsley town centre. Construction began in 2016 of a £220 million retail and leisure development, The Glass Works, which also featured a re-developed public square area.
The Glass Works opened earlier this year in February 2022, after COVID delayed work to it. Not only is there a selection of new retail and leisure activities for visitors, but the re-developed square also features a range of street furniture to help visitors recharge, connect, and engage with the local environment.
The range of street furniture includes benches, litter bins, tree guards, and bollards located at various entrance points. The aim was to enhance the urban architecture and offer a better experience for visitors to the high street space.
How will street furniture impact the high street?
According to a government study “The future of high streets and town centres – trends analysis”, a more purposeful town centre would help shift the high streets and town centres of the future towards a more community-oriented approach.
This is where street furniture plays a significant role.
The cost of living crisis we are facing will impact on consumers’ attitude to spending, particularly for non-essential items. This will have an impact on retailers who occupy high street locations.
However, this doesn’t diminish people’s needs in terms of social connections. Humans are innately social and to feel close and connected with others is a core human need. This is a fact that will never change.
With this in mind, local authorities need to work with urban designers, contractors, and product manufacturers to create inspiring community hubs (in derelict high street spaces), to encourage people to visit. They should have a reason to visit without feeling like they need to spend money in the retail spaces.
If street furniture is properly integrated into a high street space, it creates an identity and develops a sense of place around it which helps to develop increased social connections.
Benches and seats are a simple yet effective way to enhance public spaces and cultivate community spirit. When they're carefully placed in high street spaces, it creates a designated area for people to sit down, socialise, and connect with others.
Another benefit that street furniture brings to town centre spaces, it encourages people to go outside and engage with the environment. Being outside brings health benefits such as improved mood, reduced anxiety, and increased physical health.
Street furniture items such as planters help to soften an urban high street landscape and provide talking points for nearby people to engage with.
Litter bins are also an important consideration as they help to keep areas clean and enticing for people to use. They also help to create a sense of responsibility among nearby people who want to keep the area clean, which makes them feel good and improves their connection with others and the environment.
Final thoughts
Even as we head into difficult economic conditions (November 2022), the future of the high street is still positive and still has relevance in a modern world.
Empty high streets should be turned into thriving community hubs, with street furniture playing a big role in helping visitors to connect, engage with the local environment, and create a flourishing space to visit.
The ultimate goal for choosing street furniture within high street spaces is to create a thriving outdoor space that encourages participation and a more positive overall experience for everyone.
If you are working on a project that requires street furniture, talk to the team at Street Furniture Direct.
Our straightforward and down-to-earth approach helps contractors find the piece of street furniture quickly and easily, meaning you spend more time on carrying out the building work. Telephone us on 01625 879 442, email us at enquiries@streetfurnituredirect.co.uk or view our range of street furniture, bollards, cycle parking, shelters or lockers.