Save the High Street!

I popped into the Lighthouse venue in Glasgow at lunch time and caught a little exhibition aimed at a topic I totally support - reclaiming our High Streets.

"Are we happy to let our High Streets slowly decline, be dominated by clone chain stores and increasing numbers of To Let signs? "

The exhibition had examples of a number of initiatives in various Towns and Cities which have helped remedy the situation and do something about creating High Streets that are unique, distinctive thriving places.

There are examples of things which have been done in London, Brooklyn, San Francisco, Copenhagen, Todmorden, Wigtown, Dunbar etc etc. Some of them are very small initiatives, others major changes. And I like the idea of Lewes in East Sussex which has its own currency to encourage trade between local businesses. The Bristol Pound and Totnes pound are other examples where they use this device to circulate money and encourage trade locally.

Another thing that would help is to look at parking arrangements. Its so easy to park in the large supermarkets but it can be a nightmare to get parked on or near a High Street.

To read the comments written on the cans you probably need to go LARGE