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 Ideas7 months ago
Bring back carnival and music and drama events
Use every opportunity to create community events. These are the moments people gather positively and remember why they love their area. Be innovative, be brave and be bold! Think outside the box.
7 months ago
Niche events
Have events that draw in crowds. Monthly antiques fair in the town square, annual craft beer festival, annual childrens parade through town and down the river, art fairs etc.
7 months ago
Greater mix of uses
Rather than just focusing on retail some of the units in the centre should be focused on other things that draw people into the area such as Children’s play cafes/soft plays, climbing wall, leisure facilities, common community event space etc. This will bring people into the town and then the retailers will follow
6 months ago
This is for north parade , Chessington. Easy access parking. Upgrade shop fronts. Reduce business rates. Hanging baskets. Rubbish bins.
6 months ago
Not interested in shop your high street on line or any other online or digital ideas. The high street should be a real life experience with
