Prepared by Centre for London for Cross River Partnership (CRP), this report is both a summary of the changes and challenges brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, and a series of excellent case studies illustrating local variations. This report was prepared for CRP on behalf of the Transport for London-funded Central London Sub Regional Transport Partnership (CLSRTP), a collective of 10 central London boroughs.
Through a review of ten very different case studies, this report offers a series of recommendations and practical steps that local authorities, local businesses, Business Improvement Districts, the Greater London Authority and their partners could take to improve London’s town centres in the near future.
With a selection that is both geographically and thematically varied, the report looks at Harrow Road (“attractor high street”), Camden High Street (“independent culture”), Burnt Oak (“local community hub), Shepherd’s Bush (“regional shopping destinations”), Knightsbrigde (“international highlights”), Nine Elms (“new communities”), Deptford High Street (“university influence”), Tooley Street (“improve city transport”), Bishopsgate (“streets for city centre workers”), and Upper Street (“high end shopping and food”).
The headline recommendations include urban design advice (better lighting), activity suggestions (more health services), and partnership ideas (engage creatives).
The report concludes that “collaboration between groups – and in particular between the public and private sectors – is essential for these recommendations to have the most impact,” and highlights changes which are required at a national and regional level to further support the high street recovery.
