Let's Talk Shop
Everyone is aware of the pressures on high streets, from online shopping, high rents and the impact of the pandemic. Some even talk of the 'death of the high street'... We don't buy into that and believe that with the right ideas and energy, high streets can evolve and adapt, to serve their communities in a host of ways.
That's why we want to hear from you - whether you use your local high street; whether you choose not to; or you're a business based on one. Your ideas about what could be done to support high streets and their businesses now, and into the future will be welcomed. Let us know using the ideas tab below.
We can't promise that every idea can be acted upon of course, but we will read and consider everything we receive. We will soon be launching a significant pot of funding for initiatives that support high streets impacted by the pandemic, with an eye on recovery. Your ideas will feed into this and help us identify the kind of things we could focus on. We'll share more information about this funding in coming weeks.
In the meantime, our business grants are available to support a range of businesses right now, and we'll be widening this fund in coming weeks.
If you require this page in a more accessible format, please contact business@kingston.gov.uk or call 020 8547 5000.
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With your local high street in mind, some questions to get you thinking - feel free to respond to these, or share other ideas that you feel are important:
- What do you love about your local high street?
- What is missing from your local high street?
- What good things about your high street could be enhanced?
- What do you think is the biggest challenge for your local high street's future success?
- What would encourage you to use it more?
- How interested would you be in shopping your local high street online, like a local 'Amazon' style service?
- What worries you about your high street, if anything?
- Does the high street serve everybody equally well?
- Should high streets be more 'digital'?
- How could high streets strengthen their role in their communities?
- How should people travel to their high streets?
...please don't be limited by these suggestions - all of your comments and ideas are most welcome. Please let us know in your comments if you are referring to a specific high street or high streets in general.
View All Ideasover 1 year ago
Make more links to Kingston University
In other university towns the student population is a more energising and visible presence. How could we strengthen links - like a student fundraising week/arts festival in towns. We also have excellent schools - how could we harness and showcase what they do - festival of youth talent with art, drama, music categories. Would bring many families into town
over 1 year ago
High streets should not be more "digital", they should be more fun and convenient. It's an experience and we have lost that through "digital
People should be engaging with each other face-to-face
over 1 year ago
Less rubbish phone or vaping shops or any shops that sell cheap goods
Allow better quality pop up shops in, perhaps good restaurants, to keep it vibrant. More live music in the markets to attract people there as boost the atmosphere. Please, no beatboxing Also, focus on better cleanliness overall - for the entire borough
over 1 year ago
Accessibility via cars, the fear of high parking charges and or parking tickets to the high streets and Kingston centre put people off going
Reduce parking fees and offer free parking at set times
over 1 year ago
Scrap the high rise/unilever/eden square idea and all other high rise blocks
Kingston feels more and more like Croydon. Turn us back into the small market town we are and less like a frenzied shopping mall. Add more independent shops, pavement cafes, a farmer's market.
