Whilst it only feels like yesterday, the pandemic is long behind us. It seems, however, that its impact on retail and the way we shop is permanent. With the cost of rent in shopping centres ever-increasing and footfalls still comparably low due to the convenience of online shopping, retail businesses are packing up their bags and leaving shopping centres and high streets alike looking rather bare.
Pre-Pandemic Plans
Let’s go way back to before the pandemic for a moment. There was much talk about the changing face of the high street, shopping centres and retail parks. Much consideration was being put into creating an environment that combined retail, accommodation, office space and leisure, as opposed to what were previously distinct areas for each activity. Owners had to consider ‘what is a shopping centre going to become?’ in the face of changes in the general public’s shopping habits.
Their next step was to create a sense of community around shopping centres. Landlords had already started the journey of filling vacant retail spaces with hospitality & leisure businesses, from restaurants to trampoline parks and escape rooms. This began the process of converting the shopping park from a retail engagement to a destination for the entire family. By introducing living areas, like apartments and hotels, and even office spaces, shopping centres have brought the public physically closer and created the feel of ‘the local.’
So, What Now?
All that’s missing now, to really bolster that strong sense of community, is including healthcare, GP surgeries, drop-in and walk-in centres. This is nothing new, and specialist healthcare/private healthcare suppliers have been based in Shopping Centres/Parks for years. However, Local Authorities could now start to take advantage of engaging the public away from the town or city centre with their own help desk and drop-in centres at Shopping Centres/Parks.
During the pandemic, it was commonplace to see NHS testing centres at popular venues frequented by the public – like shopping centres. It has been proven time and time again that it is crucial to engage the public where they are as opposed to expecting them to make a journey or take time out of their day!
But could making this type of activity permanent rather than temporary help the authorities achieve a greater engagement with the public? Who knows, your local MP may also see the value in basing surgeries where the public is!
This isn’t limited to just doctor’s offices and walk-in centres, though. Other activities, such as playgroups and nurseries, could also take advantage of the space and sense of community being built.
The Next Steps
What is a shopping centre, you ask? Well, it can be whatever you want it to be! If you’re interested in inviting new services to set up shop or want your business to be seen in one of the UK’s favourite shopping centres, Access Point can help out.
Let’s say you’re a landlord looking to generate revenue and boost that community feel in your shopping centre; we can offer pop-up shops and kiosks to fill your promotional space. Including, or building in, that element of flexibility would ensure that something helpful for the community would always be coming along – think a flu jab station in October/November, for example.
Alternatively, if you feel that your business would thrive in the shopping centre environment, Access Point already has a variety of promotional spaces at shopping centres currently available, so reach out!
Get in Touch With Access Point
Let us help you build that strong sense of community that is more important post-pandemic than ever. Reach out to Access Point today to hear more about our variety of promotional spaces. Give us a call at 01704 544999 or send an email to hello@apuk.net.
