'Will we soon call UK high streets 'outdoor shopping malls?'' blog discussion

Former_MSE_Penelope

This is the discussion to link on the back of Martin's blog. Please read the blog first, as this discussion follows it.

Read Martin's "Will we soon call UK high streets 'outdoor shopping malls?'" Blog.

Please click 'post reply' to discuss below.

LolaLemon

Maybe one day we’ll take the Dubai route and see indoor ski-slopes, mammoth fountains, and other extravaganza making people want to centre their lives around malls.


we already have the 'dubai' experience, its called Xscape
http://www.xscape.co.uk/braehead

BonandDom

Runcorn's shopping city - that brings back some memories, and not all of them good - :rotfl::(:rotfl:Back in the eighties when I was in my teens and growing up there it was brilliant, could get lost for ages and the view driving in, surronded by the New Town estates was different to say the least. Anyone know if it's still there? - yep - apparently its called Halton lea now though

I'm not a lover of "malls" - great when its cold and wet, but I for one generally feel less inclined to browse - not sure why. Much prefer to have the outside shops and brave the weather:p

minerva_windsong

Doesn't this 'outdoor mall' thing already exist over here in the form of Liverpool One? Looking at its website it seems to be an outdoor shopping mall in all but name...

(ETA: At the risk of angering any forum Scousers, I love Liverpool One and much prefer it to indoor shopping malls!)

BonandDom

Whoa - I've just realised Martin and I grew up in the same ish area at the same time:eek:

Comyface

minerva_windsong wrote: »

Doesn't this 'outdoor mall' thing already exist over here in the form of Liverpool One? Looking at its website it seems to be an outdoor shopping mall in all but name...

I was just thinking that!

ScarletBea

I hate the word "mall", such an americanism.
We've always called them "shopping centres", please don't change.

globalds

The main difference between a standard high street and an outdoor mall is the way it is managed.

Hopping that random chance will put all the right types of business together in the right order and mix is going to produce more bad outcomes than good.

shopping malls manage with a common agenda.
I see nothing special in that and am quite surprised that more town centres haven't tried it.

Something like Broad street in Birmingham.
http://www.broadstreetbirmingham.com/
Although more a night life and leisure district it is specific about what kind of tenants it wants and directs the efforts of all the independent businesses towards creating something all would hope to be part of, but unless directed would just have to hope for.

theretaildatabase

There are very few shopping centre developments that are going to be built. Although there was a large pipeline before the recession, many of these developments have been cancelled.

jamesd

For an alternative to a pedestrianised high street shopping area there's also the Fremont Street (pictures) version in Las Vegas, which was done to compete with mega-casinos that were taking business form the traditional Vegas gambling strip. Probably too expensive to become common.

I tend to avoid malls whenever viable, though it's hard in parts of the US, particularly in suburbia.

thatguy1

theretaildatabase wrote: »

There are very few shopping centre developments that are going to be built. Although there was a large pipeline before the recession, many of these developments have been cancelled.

There is one opening later this year where I live. Was suppose to open last year, but the put the date back to spring 2011, now they put it back to autumn 2011 http://www.parkwaynewbury.com/

It's not an actual covered 'shopping centre' it's outdoors.