Overview

We were commissioned to undertake the authority-wide retail and leisure study to understand the ongoing challenges for the high streets and the opportunities for their revitalisation and reimagining.

The Study included the following components:

  • Reviewed retail and leisure in the context of national planning policy and guidance, including the recently made Article 4 Directions.
  • Established a baseline understanding of retail and leisure performance in Manchester through reference to national trends and local data in respect of the performance of centres.
  • Recommended the policy approach which best supports the vitality and viability of Manchester’s defined centres, identifying the specific approach appropriate for district centres and reflecting the need to cater for the diverse communities that reside in the City.
  • Considered trends in respect of different types of retail and leisure provision, recognising the importance of the food and beverage leisure economy to the city centre and the opportunities associated with large format leisure provision such as The Factory and the Co-op Live Arena.
  • Reviewed existing strategies, ensuring the role and function of centres was fully reflected
Our role

In terms of identifying future quantitative needs across the timeframe of the emerging Local Plan, the key objectives were as follows:

  • Undertake a household survey to inform an understanding of retail expenditure and patterns in Manchester for convenience goods and comparison goods retailing.
  • Project retail capacity needs across the City based on population and expenditure growth to 2040.
  • Consider the qualitative and quantitative need for leisure along with appropriate locations for additional leisure provision.

We used the findings from our in-house Analytics and Research team to better inform the demographics of the catchments of the principal centres within the authority area, to help formulate overarching conclusions in respect of the health of centres. Importantly, this research was used to assist in ensuring policy recommendations not only complied with national policy, but also specifically dealt with the qualitative differences within the centres.