News on K&C High Streets

Thank you for taking the time to fill out the questionnaires. We have received almost 1,000 comments from over 500 people. This input has provided valuable insights into how our high streets are currently used and what should be our priorities for the future.

There is a lot of information to digest so we have set out key findings for you bellow.

Your feedback provided a baseline of evidence to shape local action plans that we are working on to help improve our high streets. Rather than policy documents, these are templates designed to be continuously adapted. We will share more about these with you soon.

Key research findings

How do you get to your local high street?

Probably walking. This is by far the most common way of getting to high streets across the borough and all age groups. Cycling came second and public transport third.

What do you think is the best way to buffer traffic noise on a busy road?

Most likely, planting trees along the pavement. Residents think trees are better than benches with shrubs which could create obstacles for people with reduced mobility and other conditions.

The top reasons for visiting high streets today are daily shopping and eating. But what will happen as online shopping keeps growing? We heard interesting ideas at workshops with residents’ associations and members of the Citizens’ Panel.

When asked what changes they want to see on their high streets, a resident said: “Create the high street as a place you go to for experience, maybe a different experience every day of the week, a place for all types of people and families, and budgets. A place for everyone”.

Others encouraged the Council to draw on inspiring examples to make people pause and increase dwell time. We heard markets, festivals, and new pop-up shops on vacant retail units are the top priorities to improve the high street experience.

Explore the full reports to find out more about the unique strengths, challenges, and ambitions for each of our high streets.

K&C Future High Streets Questionnaire Report January 2022

K&C Future High Streets Workshops Report October 2021