Retail Planning Forum

Competition Commission Initial Findings Imminent

2007-10-28T18:54:00.000Z

The rumours that the Competition Commission will publish its initial findings in the groceries inquiry within days are gathering pace, and indications are that there will be significant implications for retail planning, with a fascia test highly likely to be proposed.

There are articles inthis weekend's FT, Sunday Times, Telegraph and Observer

Kensington & Chelsea Small Shops Charter

2007-10-04T09:30:00.000Z

The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea has adopted many of the policies proposed by its Commission on Retail Conservation, although bans on upward-only rent reviews and a levy on large new stores were rejected.

The Diffusion of Walmart

2007-08-31T14:33:00.000Z

An interesting animation by Thomas Holmes shows the spread of Walmart stores in the US. An economist, Holmes suggests Walmart has benefited from significant economies of density, using a dense network of stores. It would be extremely interesting to see a movie for UK supermarkets!

Under Served Markets project article

2007-07-25T10:48:00.000Z

Somewhat critical piece in today's Guardian - would certainly be interesting if they follow up next year.

Latest statement on PPS6: Need and Impact tests

2007-07-11T15:37:00.000Z

In a written Parliamentary Answer, Communities & Local Governement minister Yvette Cooper gives the latest position.

Markets and Market Places

2007-06-26T10:17:00.000Z

Slightly too late for National Markets Week, unfortunately, but this feature on Markets and Market Places is worth a look. It's part of Common Ground's Producing the Goods project - their other work, while not directly related to retail planning, is nevertheless always interesting.

Planning White Paper published

2007-05-21T15:25:00.000Z

The white paper Planning for a Sustainable future is now available on line here (see page 115-116 in particular) along with a consultation document and press release.

More on New London Architecture

2007-05-18T11:25:00.000Z

If you' re in London between now and 23rd June 2007, a visit to the exhibition at New London Architecture: SHOP - NEW RETAIL SPACE FOR LONDON is strongly recommended. There's also an interesting series of free breakfast talks.

If you can't make it, have a look at the exhibition catalogue.

Rumours

2007-05-18T11:20:00.000Z

The first hints of what is to come in Monday's white paper are emerging. Looks like retail planning will be in the headlines!

Forthcoming Planning White Paper

2007-04-18T23:45:00.000Z

Yvette Cooper's recent written parliamentary answer would suggest that the earliest possible date for the Planning White Paper would be May 7th.

RAC Foundation report on Shopping and Transport Policy

2007-03-28T09:26:00.000Z

This RAC Foundation/British Retail Consortium report, published in December 2006, is worth a look.

Supermarkets as the key to successful regeneration?

2007-03-07T14:21:00.000Z

An interesting article in the Guardian by the director of research and policy at the British Urban Regeneration Association

New London Architecture centre

2007-02-23T13:34:00.000Z

The New London Architecture centre, part of the Building Centre, is always worth a visit. At any time there are several exhibitions, which change regularly, and many are relevant to retail planning. In particular, watch out for one devoted to Retail in London running from 3 May to 23 June - we'll post more information nearer the time.

Indoor Farmers' Markets?

2007-02-23T13:28:00.000Z

Here's an interesting twist on the Farmers' Market concept

Competition Commission inquiry - Emergent Thinking

2007-01-23T08:49:00.000Z

As expected, this morning the Competition Commission have published their emergent thinking on their inquiry into the groceries market.

As well as a press release and main document, there are also several working papers, covering subjects including land holdings and use issues and planning issues. NB all these are pdf files, and press release excepeted, all are large.

At this stage no conclusions are drawn - those follow in later reports - but the commission appears not to find evidence of systematic abuse of the planning system and to be broadly happy with the status quo, including the needs test. Of interest is the much faster time to approval in Wales and Scotland.

Relocalising shopping - can it be done? A seminar

2007-01-15T16:40:00.000Z

Business in the Communinty (BitC) are organising a seminar on this emotive topic, presenting new research by the University of Southampton and including a panel discussion chaired by John Gummer MP. The event takes place on February 8th 2007 at Royal Horseguards Hotel, Whitehall Court London SW1A 3EJ from 10.00 – 12.30 hrs, including lunch.

More details will follow on the NRPF website soon - to register contact Deborah Sharp at BitC.

Barker Review Final Report

2006-12-05T11:29:00.000Z

The final report of Kate Barker's has just been published.

The accompanying press release emphasises continued support for the town centres first policy, while also taking a realistic view that not all development can take place in centres. The abolition of the needs test and the possible encouragement of new entrants onto vacant sites is suggested. A more positive approach, with presumption in favour of development, is proposed.

It also mentions a forthcoming revision of planning policy guidance on economic development, of particular relevance to Under Served Markets.

Under Served Markets event

2006-11-28T11:51:00.000Z

There was a good turnout at yesterday's Under Served Markets event hosted by the NRPF and sponsored jointly by Business in the Community, DCLG and the LGA, feeding into the forthcoming guide to maximising the benefits of retail-led development in deprived areas.

The programme and presentations from the day are now available on a page of the main NRPF website, along with background materials, with a summary of the discussion sessions to follow. Meanwhile the outputs from the event are being worked up as part of production of the guide itself, with publication on target for the New Year, but there's still time to send your views to info@nrpf.org

Let's get talking

2006-11-14T16:00:00.000Z

Welcome to the new NRPF blog. The idea is for this to be place on the web to discuss current hot topics in UK retail planning. We'll post items we think are important or interesting - if you have something you'd like to see posted, e-mail it to us.

Anyone can add their comments to posted items by clicking on 'comments' below each item - if you want to post anonymously, you can use a nickname, and there is no need to register.

To start the ball rolling, we've posted nine pressing questions, as featured in the Autumn NRPF newsletter. We look forward to reading your opinions!

If we build it, they will come... does retail really lead regeneration?

2006-11-14T14:34:00.000Z

The idea of retail-led regeneration is big news at the moment, especially in the context of deprived areas and underserved markets. But are the best places for retail development the best ones for encouraging wider regeneration? Does that wider regeneration actually occur? Can redevelopment be done so as to benefit the existing communities and businesses, or is it only outsiders who gain? And if so, does that matter?

Is the internet killing the high street?

2006-11-14T14:30:00.000Z

Some seem to be riding the wave, some drowning; but after so many false prophesies, what impact is the internet really having on traditional retailers? Will websites truly replace the real-world shopping experience? Can retailers be successful in both environments, or do they have to choose? How can non-virtual retail planners deal with the changing demands for retail space that result?

Unfair competition – myth or reality?

2006-11-14T12:14:00.000Z

Along comes yet another competition inquiry into the grocery market. But will this one prove any more conclusive than those that have gone before? Are a few big players really using the retail planning system to block competition? Would making supermarket development easier do more than simply adjust the balance between the retailing giants, and would this really benefit the consumer?

The Barker Review – how will retail planning benefit?

2006-11-14T12:11:00.000Z

It hardly seems like yesterday since the last shake-up of the land use planning system, but over the past few months Kate Barker’s independent review has been looking at how the system can better deliver economic growth and prosperity. We’ve already submitted our initial comments and responded to the interim report (see www.nrpf.org), but what will the imminent final report bring? Changes to the planning process bringing clarity and certainty? Or just more change and more chaos? And how will this affect productivity and competition?

Retail productivity – is the Treasury right to be concerned?

2006-11-14T12:06:00.000Z

It’s almost ten years since the McKinsey report on competitiveness suggested that the UK’s retailing sector was less productive than that of the US or France – the source of much Treasury heartache. The finger was pointed at the planning system, the apparent cause of too many small and inefficient stores. But are things quite so simple, and did McKinsey compare like with like? And if so, are the big sheds of the US the only answer?

Stratford and White City – threat or opportunity for Central London?

2006-11-14T12:00:00.000Z

Travel from London’s Oxford Street a few stops in either direction along the Central Line tube and you’ll find a huge new retail development in gestation.

Much closer than previous out-of-town regional centres built on the capital’s periphery, will the combination of these two giants be enough to finally knock the West End from its position as Britain’s top shopping location? Is there really enough demand for all three to get along? Or will Oxford Street seize the chance to evolve into a very different retail offering?

Farmers’ markets – what next for Britain's markets?

2006-11-14T11:46:00.000Z

Farmers’ markets have been one of the retailing success stories of recent years. But many markets occupy a very different niche – municipally owned and frequently suffering from years of under-investment. Will the new upmarket style be their salvation? And are there alternative ways to re-invigorate this most traditional form of retail?

‘Clone Town Britain’ – truth or fiction

2006-11-14T11:38:00.000Z

The New Economics Foundation’s ‘Clone Town Britain’ campaign gained great swathes of publicity but are all our high streets really becoming indistinguishable rows of bland multiples? If so, is this necessarily a bad thing, and where do the other shops go?

Is PPS6 working?

2006-11-14T11:18:00.000Z

DCLG figures reveal that 70 per cent of retail development is still going out of town. Although there’s finally been an upturn in town centre retail development, Government figures show that the vast majority of new retail is still being built off-centre. Have ten years of ‘town centres first’ planning guidance made anything more than a minor difference? Would this have happened anyway