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8 COMMENT COMMENT Retail parks need to shape up


Fighting a losing battle with the internet to attract shoppers, the design of retail parks must evolve to offer consumers a compelling case to visit. Gary Johnson and Paul Starbuck from retail, sport and leisure specialist architects LK2 describe why mixed use developments including sports, leisure and healthcare are the way forward


to evolve. The current format is, in part, the reason that many of these developments are missing the mark for consumers, and in turn for owners and staff. Typically, the layout of most UK-based retail parks is simple: a number of large ‘bulky goods’ units, occupied by big-name retail- ers, fronting a large car park. While this may be architecturally uninspiring, this formula has met the needs of consumers for many years. However, changes in shopping trends and consumer habits – including the rise of internet shopping and click and collect services – alongside busier lifestyles, have resulted in many of the large units becoming less desirable, leading to an increase in vacant space within retail parks.


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These issues are all part and parcel of a general apathy in retail towards the change needed to meet the demands of the modern consumer. By failing to meet their needs, the ‘ripple effect’ is passed on to unit owners and staff. Vacant units mean job losses and business closures, and limited footfall and dwell time from customers impacts business turnover and job satisfaction. LK2’s StreetLab and SportsLab initiatives are exploring opportu- nities to incorporate additional mixed uses into retail parks and build over existing units to exploit “air rights.” Retail parks with vacant land adjacent are particularly attractive in terms of creating opportunities to introduce community and commercial sports and leisure uses to create a true community destination. Some retail parks are already working to address this, with larger retail parks introducing leisure and entertainment facilities such as multiplex cinemas, food and beverage units, and discount retail stores to fill vacant space and reflect the changes we have seen on the high street in cities and towns. More and more conven- ience stores and upmarket food operators are choosing to open stores within retail parks, which is a relatively new trend and a positive change. In fact, this current trend has seen retail parks slowly increase footfall and decrease the number of vacant units, highlighting how the traditional model for retail parks can be easily modernised and evolved. With land for development becoming increasingly hard to find, retail parks offer a number of exciting opportunities, especially for more mixed-use schemes incorporating residential, student accommodation and office space. Retail parks can also be the ideal location for finance and business units, community and medical care facilities.


CHANGING HABITS


Changes in shoppers’ lifestyles have resulted in many of the larger units becoming less desirable, leading to an increase in vacant space


The offering of an over-arching ‘destination’ enhances retail appeal and in turn reaps dividends for staff and business owners. For example, the introduction of leisure, sport and entertainment facilities would improve the working environment for staff, boost- ing job satisfaction. Providing staff with a choice of after work activities would allow them to take part in sporting activities and improve fitness or socialise outside of work. The creation of new businesses through added facilities would also create new jobs and allow staff to choose to work closer to home rather than travelling into the nearest town or city centre. ‘Super surgeries’ are also a rising trend, with more and more doctors, dentists, opticians and physios opting to share space and work collaboratively. Locating surgeries close to a sport, leisure and recreation site can only be beneficial, with retail parks the obvious next step and one which we are starting to see already. Having these facilities easily accessible to staff would also help reduce sick leave or time off to attend medical appointments, and would relieve the pressure on staff to book medical appointments around work hours.


The creation of these sustainable ‘communities’ around retail parks would also benefit unit owners, as having a wider choice of activities for customers would lead to increased footfall, dwell time and ultimately spend. Extending the operating hours of a retail park would also reduce crime and anti-social behaviour.


efore retailers and developers are able to future-proof retail parks, they must first understand why the common layout, which has remained unchanged for many years, now needs


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ADF JANUARY 2018


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