Town centres aren’t just about shops anymore – they are evolving into vibrant community spaces. Across the UK, high streets are being reimagined as places where people come together to enjoy food and leisure, experience arts and culture, access services, and simply spend time with others.
This shift hasn’t happened overnight; it’s a response to big changes in retail and how we live.
In this blog, we’ll explore why town centres are changing, highlight examples of UK towns leading the way, and see what experts in retail and the economy say about this trend.
For decades, UK town centres were dominated by retail – the same national brands on every high street. But that retail-centric model is no longer sustainable on its own[1][2]. The rise of online shopping and out-of-town retail parks has led to store closures and empty units in many towns[3].
In 2022, over 14% of high street retail units sat empty, and some towns had over 20% vacancies[4]. Retail experts have been warning for years that there is “already too much retail space in the UK” and that town centres must be “repopulated and re-fashioned” with other uses at their heart[5]. In his influential review, veteran retailer Bill Grimsey argued high streets can no longer rely on shops alone – they need to become community hubs that include housing, offices, libraries, healthcare and more[5].
In short, to remain relevant and viable in the 21st century, towns must create unique reasons for people to gather that go beyond shopping[6].
Local councils and business leaders have taken this to heart. Martin Tett of the Local Government Association noted in 2018 that many councils were “already leading the way in transforming the future potential of their town centres” in the face of changing shopping habits[7].
Since then, government initiatives like the Towns Fund and Levelling Up agenda have provided funding and powers for regeneration, including repurposing empty shops into new uses.
The Levelling Up & Regeneration Act gives councils more levers to act on long-term vacant properties[8]. All of this reflects a growing consensus: to thrive, town centres must diversify and serve their communities in new ways, not just through retail sales.
One of the most significant shifts is seeing formerly retail units reborn as community spaces and services. Rather than leaving a vacant shop to gather dust, councils, charities and local groups are opening up support hubs, health centres, libraries and other services in these units.
This can breathe new life into failing town centres[9] and also make vital services more accessible.
For example, here in Grimsby, the council took the bold step of purchasing the Freshney Place shopping centre in 2022 after it went into administration[10].
This opened the door to new uses inside. An empty unit in Freshney Place is now a NHS Community Diagnostic Centre, bringing healthcare right into the town centre. “We’ve put health in a location accessible to all and it will increase footfall – it’s a win-win,” said Damien Jaines-White, North East Lincolnshire Council’s regeneration lead[11].
” Such additions, alongside new leisure developments, are “bringing more people in” and boosting town centre footfall[12].
Grimsby’s approach is part of a wider movement. Sandy Forsyth of think tank Localis points to a similar scheme in Poole, Dorset, where a large empty department store (Beales) was converted into a community health village[13].
The footfall of patients visiting the clinic is “rejuvenating the commercial premises…and economic growth for the town,” she explains[14].
In Westcliff-on-Sea, a community group transformed vacant shops into Haven Community Hub, a one-stop community centre for older people with a café, wellness centre, social club and co-working space[15].
And in Sheffield, an old co-operative department store was turned into “The Department”, a community-owned hub with arts venues, food stalls and workspaces[16]. These examples show how empty retail spaces can be reinvented to serve local needs – whether by offering health and support services or providing space for community activities.
Instead of a dead storefront, you get a lively hub that draws people in for various reasons throughout the week.
This trend is largely welcomed by economic thinkers and many in the retail industry. As the Marrons development consultancy put it, “spaces catering to modern requirements, such as flexible working areas, healthcare, and later living facilities, hold the key to sustainable, lasting transformation” of town centres[17].
In other words, repurposing some retail space for clinics, adult education, council services or community groups isn’t a sign of decline – it’s how we future-proof the high street. It ensures the town centre remains useful and relevant to locals’ lives, which in turn creates footfall that benefits remaining shops and cafés.
The goal is a mixed-use town centre where commerce and community thrive side by side. “Commerce and community can coexist and thrive in a managed high street ecosystem. They rely on each other,” notes the Grimsey Review[18].
Real-world results back this up: towns that have diversified are already seeing positive impacts.
Public art in the town centre – like Grimsby’s vibrant “Harriet the Haddock” mural – helps celebrate local heritage and create a sense of place. Town centres are increasingly hosting arts, events and cultural attractions alongside shops.
Another major change in what town centres offer is the rise of food, leisure and cultural attractions. As traditional retail has contracted, entertainment and experiences have expanded. Shoppers today want places that are “fun to go to, vibrant, community-orientated, with programming and personal service”, says futurist Kathryn Bishop, adding that people visit physical destinations to do far more than just buy things[19][20]. Town centres are responding by becoming go-to spots for dining, leisure activities, and events.
Think of the town centres you enjoy visiting: chances are there are cafes, restaurants and street food vendors; maybe a cinema, bowling alley or escape room; perhaps a gallery, theatre or live music venue. Food is a huge draw – two-thirds of Millennials eat out at least once a week, and even Gen Z are seeking interesting food experiences[21].
No wonder high streets now boast everything from farmers’ markets and food halls to vegan cafés and craft breweries. These give people reasons to come into town and stay longer.
In Stockton-on-Tees, for instance, the council is redeveloping a former retail block to include leisure amenities and even housing, not just shops[22].
Here in Grimsby, a new five-screen cinema and leisure complex is being built next to Freshney Place to add more family-friendly things to do[23][24]. And across many UK towns, evening economy venues – restaurants, bars, theaters – are helping keep town centres alive after 5pm.
Equally important is culture and events. Town centres are doubling as stages for public art, festivals, performances and gatherings that bring the community together. Councils have found that investing in culture can dramatically boost footfall and local pride. A great example is Barnsley, South Yorkshire.
As part of its town centre regeneration, Barnsley built The Glass Works – a modern retail and leisure development with a public square – and crucially, it wove arts and heritage into the project. The council repurposed three empty retail units as pop-up museum and gallery spaces right inside the shopping precinct[25][26].
These free cultural hubs celebrate Barnsley’s heritage and host digital art exhibits and creative workshops. At the same time, Barnsley launched a jam-packed events programme in the town centre’s open spaces – from arts and crafts fairs to food festivals and live music. The result has been remarkable.
Families engaging with an art installation at Barnsley’s Glass Works. By repurposing empty shops into museum pop-ups and hosting free cultural events, Barnsley drew millions of visitors back to its town centre[27][28].
Barnsley’s town centre footfall topped 6 million in a year, an increase of 2 million over the previous year (far exceeding expectations)[27]. In fact, post-pandemic data showed
Barnsley was second in the UK for town centre footfall recovery and in the top ten for spending[29]. During one recent light festival weekend, the historic arcade full of independent shops saw a 107% surge in footfall, and the new food court’s sales jumped 130%[30].
Clearly, people will flock to a town centre that offers them experiences and culture, not just transactions.
When a town centre hosts a community parade, a street art trail, or a Christmas market, it gives locals a reason to feel proud and visitors a reason to come back.
It turns the centre into the heart of the community once again.
All these changes – introducing community services, diversifying leisure, supporting markets and independents, and investing in culture – are ultimately aimed at the same goal: bringing people back.
The more reasons people have to visit and spend time in the town centre, the more footfall and economic activity for local businesses. And the signs are promising. Towns that have embraced a mixed-use, community-focused approach are bucking the decline trend.
Earlier this decade, Altrincham in Greater Manchester famously revived its fortunes by refocusing on food and independent retailers. Described not long ago as “Britain’s biggest ghost town,” Altrincham reinvented its market into a trendy food hall and nurtured local shops – and saw footfall steadily increase year on year, hitting record levels by 2019[32][33].
It won the Best High Street in England award and became a model for others.
In Barnsley as we saw, footfall has roared back above pre-pandemic levels thanks to its new blend of retail and culture[27][29]. Grimsby’s Freshney Place, after years of decline, is now 96% let with new tenants and uses, and still drawing over 6 million visits annually[34][35].
The council attributes this to the wider regeneration bringing more people into town – which in turn attracts retailers to commit to leases[36][37]. It’s a virtuous circle: more footfall and activity leads to a healthier economy, and a thriving, populated town centre makes people feel safer and prouder of where they live.
Retail industry leaders acknowledge that the role of shopping areas has changed. “The role of the shopping centre has changed significantly over the past 10 years… it’s possible to be flexible and adapt to ensure centres remain relevant,” notes Miles Dunnett of Grosvenor, manager of Liverpool ONE, citing how adding dining, leisure and even park space has been a “real point of difference” for their city centre mall[38].
Modern consumers want an experience when they visit town, not just an errand. They might grab a coffee, do some shopping, see an exhibit, and meet friends all in one trip[20]. Town centres that facilitate these varied activities are seeing loyalty and dwell-time increase.
Helen Dickinson, chief of the British Retail Consortium, has emphasized that to revive high street footfall, we must make town centres desirable places to visit – which means convenient services, events, and a pleasant environment, not only shops[39].
In practice, this could mean ensuring there are libraries and learning centers in the high street, spaces for young people (like Grimsby’s new Horizon Youth Zone[40]), green areas to relax, and regular community events on the calendar. All of these give people reasons to come into town and stay longer, benefitting cafes, shops and markets while also improving quality of life.
Crucially, the move to a broader town centre offer is about serving local people’s needs. It’s an answer to those who nostalgically wish the high street could be nothing but shops again – an answer that says: our town centre can be so much more.
As one UK redevelopment report put it, “while some envision a prosperous town centre rooted in nostalgia, we must align our vision with contemporary needs.” That means embracing things like co-working offices for remote workers, health and well-being facilities, and accessible community spaces downtown[41][17].
Done right, this improves residents’ quality of life and keeps the town centre busy and safe. In turn, that footfall supports the remaining retailers and attracts new ones, often independent businesses that offer something unique. This balance of commerce and community is what will carry our high streets forward.
There’s a growing optimism that if we continue on this path, our town centres will not only survive but thrive as beloved community hearts. “It’s time to reimagine our town centres as vibrant, inclusive hubs that genuinely serve their local communities,” the Marrons consultancy writes[42] – and many towns have started doing exactly that.
The vision for the town centre of tomorrow is a place where people live, work, shop, learn, and enjoy themselves in one place. Housing developments are being introduced on high streets (some empty upper floors of shops are becoming flats), bringing a resident population that keeps the area lively around the clock[43][44].
Public spaces like squares and parks are being integrated, making town centres attractive places to hang out, not just pass through. Strong local leadership and collaboration – councils working with businesses, community groups, and residents – have proven key to making these changes succeed[45][46].
The retail and economy experts are clear that diversification is the future. As Bill Grimsey said, towns must stop trying to compete with out-of-town retail on convenience, and instead “create their own unique reason for communities to gather – being interesting and engaging and altogether a compelling experience.”[6] That could be a weekly street market, a cultural festival, a great new food quarter, a co-op working hub, or all of the above.
It’s about local character and what your town can offer that nowhere else does. Grimsby, for example, is playing to its strengths by celebrating its fishing heritage (with projects like the “Paint the Town Proud” mural initiative that produced Harriet the Haddock) and its future in green energy[31][47]. Every town has its own story and community to build on.
Change can be challenging – some people understandably feel uncertain seeing a former shop become a library or community centre.
But around the UK, these projects are proving their worth. They fill vacant eyesores, provide services and support, and bring footfall that helps surrounding shops.
They also send a message that the town centre belongs to everyone, not just shoppers. A senior councillor in North East Lincolnshire addressed concerns about non-retail uses creeping in by emphasizing that these hubs complement the shopping, not replace it[48].
The aim is a balanced town centre where you might run your errands, but also pop into an art exhibit, meet a friend for lunch, attend a class, or get help with something – all in a welcoming environment.
In 2025 and beyond, the successful town centres will be those that residents feel proud of and connected to.
They will be places people choose to spend time. Grimsby’s recent social media campaign put it well: it’s about “shaping a town centre that belongs to everyone – somewhere to feel safe, welcome and proud of.” Instead of lamenting what’s gone, communities are looking ahead at what’s being created.
From Barnsley’s cultural hubs to Poole’s health centre, from Altrincham’s market buzz to Grimsby’s new leisure quarter, there is a lot to celebrate. Town centres are redefining themselves as the true civic and social core of towns.
In the words of one high street review, “our cities, towns and communities are facing their greatest challenge… how to remain economically and socially viable. They must create their own unique reason for communities to gather there”[49].
Across the UK, we’re seeing those unique reasons take shape – and it’s an exciting time.
A town centre today means more than just shopping. It means community. It means experience. It means opportunity. If we keep working together on this, our town centres will continue to transform into places we’re all proud to call our own[7].
Let’s celebrate what’s coming, support the changes, and keep looking forward together.
Sources:
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[39] Government must support high street footfall revival
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[48] Grimsby Live on X: "Senior councillors explain why Freshney Place ...