Can a return to Localism save the High Street?

This post-lockdown environment could provide an opportunity for High Streets to become a truly sustainable urban centre. One that not only addresses environmental concerns but also the change in social and economic aspects that have been brought about by Covid-19.

Holmes Miller has developed a number of design incursions that could be made within a High Street to look at how a commerce led, mono-use environment can be developed into a vibrant, sustainable town centre at the same time considering how the digital overlay of a Town Centre App (T.C.A.) can give an enhanced accessibility to many aspects of life and services provided.

Guerrilla Co-Working

While many people will have become used to the solitary process of homeworking, with digital connectivity to colleagues and systems, they may not have a full office facility at their home or just crave some social interaction.

The high street can be expanded vertically through vacant and disused spaces above shops for temporary uses such as pop-up co-working spaces like Holmes Miller’s Guerrilla Co-working concept. This not only solves the issue of vacant buildings’ negative effect on high street life but also provides a public facing facility (not a domestic box room) and resources for face to face meetings, reprographics and other office services and could even have  a coffee shop at ground floor for use by co-workers and the public.

The flexible nature of the Guerrilla Co-Working concept with demountable, moveable fixtures, fittings and partitions means that it can be configured to suit the prevailing social distancing norms and be adapted as these change.

T.C.A.

The pop-up nature of these spaces marries well with the T.C.A. The app could be used for the booking of workspaces, equipment, software, meeting rooms and event spaces.

This also could allow those who might normally work at home engage with a wider community, physically, via a co-work community app, and bring income for the town through spend on lunches/coffee and other sundries and services.

Town Centre Living

With the eschewing of long commutes on busy public transport seen as desirable there will be a growing demand of residential space within a local town centre.

Utilising the space above a retail base for housing may not be appealing to prospective residents. The siting of the front door, security and the lack of external space are aspects that need to be considered.

The introduction of retrofitted balconies, with views onto the high street, create activity outside the 9-5pm working day. Additionally, overlooking balconies give ‘eyes on the street’ creating passive security and improving the safety of public spaces. The provision of private external space makes the residences more attractive, bringing the outside into a dwelling and providing the opportunity for creating a small garden or dining space.

Should there be a future wave of the virus and people face another lockdown it may be that, as in Italy and Spain, people will actually come out onto these balconies to sing and entertain each other with a connectedness that will bind the community.

T.C.A.

Having people living in the centre is positive for the economy and viability of a town. These residents will want to access public facilities and leisure activities. The T.C.A. can provide listings that not only help structure a resident’s leisure time but also stimulate spend through advertising and promotion of local businesses and activities.