Retailer L Senza
Jane Norman Barratts
Bluewater (super-prime retail location),
Still Trading Still Trading Still Trading
Hereford, are close to commencing on site, and certainly developers who have progressed projects with council clients during the ‘teeth’ of the recession could well see good take up as they introduce new schemes into a letting market devoid of much new product – provided the underlying ‘building blocks’ to successful schemes are in place.
Certainly those developers who have principally focused on developing significant retail led schemes in UK town/city centres are all active again, and are being joined by some new entrants (both developers and investors). Despite this it will still take the industry some time to replace the ‘development capacity’ lost by a variety of development companies which have failed in recent years.
Having understood these factors, how can local authorities best respond to them, ‘locally’, when planning new schemes?
To answer this question we outline various ‘themes’, generally linked to a current example where we are assisting a council client to deliver.
1 Relate your development proposals to a realistic level of new retail, and a clearly defined up to date retail strategy
Generally, this will be a reduced overall critical mass of retail, and revised anchor strategy – certainly size; potentially, also identity. DTZ are advising councils on over 70 current schemes and we have addressed this issue with all.
Portsmouth City Council on its Northern Quarter city centre scheme, has recently revised proposals with its development partner Centros Delancey. These are now being progressed toward a new planning application early next year. They are realistic, but equally, will still deliver a major step change to the city. Realism does not
THE TERRIER - Summer 2012
Historic market town in Shropshire
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need to lead to lack of ambition.
3 Maximise the experience, and dwell time, of your town centre scheme
Providing visitors with a range of experiences, over an extended period of time, will be a key factor in determining which town centres successfully compete with the internet.
In Chester city centre, we are advising the council on the Northgate major retail-led scheme, where the Council is creating its own development concept to include significant enhanced leisure uses, and a strong link to an adjoining theatre project.
2 Recognise when you need to take overall control
Generally a key ingredient to successful delivery of such projects is a long term partnership with an experienced development partner, maintained through the inevitable ‘ups and downs’ that arise over the medium/long term nature of such projects. Equally, on occasion, councils do need to recognise that the existing development partner, and/or principal private sector landowner, no longer shares the council’s vision, and/or ability to deliver it.
In Birmingham city centre, the City Council (in partnership with Network Rail), is working on the delivery of a transformed Pallasades shopping centre, alongside the revitalised New Street interchange station. The Council has acquired the existing scheme, and is progressing with design and delivery proposals by itself, using a full professional team and a delivery plan created by DTZ. The John Lewis Partnership has been secured as anchor tenant.
4 Create the right overall vision, delivery strategy and brand
A key part of ensuring successful delivery is to establish an appropriate, up to date overall vision for the town or city centre, and an associated delivery strategy.
We are currently assisting Wolverhampton City Council in creating these vital elements for its city centre in advance of a market launch.
5 Accept that accessibility is vital – and that this includes by car
Sustainability is a hugely important subject, and whilst the ‘green agenda’ is being affected to an extent by the current economic climate, it is nevertheless, rightly, going to continue. That said, ensuring sensible ‘speed of
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