Town centres in peril: what can we do?

CLES think time

CLES think time sessions aim to provide an enjoyable and interesting opportunity for debate, discussion and new ideas.  They will be small scale to encourage active participation and offer a chance to ask new and old questions, think about the future and about the lessons from the past. We want these sessions to be positive and inspiring so that you will leave enthused and keen to get out there and improve places for the future.

Each session will be facilitated by a CLES member of staff and the focus will be on discussion, debate, sharing views, opinions and experience.

This session

The growth of out of town shopping combined with the effects of the recession and associated reduction in spending power, has meant that many of our town centres and district shopping areas are in decline.  Vacant properties are all too common and many businesses report reducing profits and decreasing footfall.  With a return to pre-recession buoyancy unlikely, we need to create new positive identities for our town centres in the short-term and build new economic resilience in the medium to long term.  This think time will explore how we can re-think, re-shape, use and plan our town centres.

Fee

Free to all CLES subscribers – on the booking form just tick the box for CLES member – this will not count as an event day for those members with event days included in their membership. Non-members will be charged £25 plus VAT booking fee.

Includes refreshments.

Date  21st July

Time   2pm – 4pm

Venue Express Networks, 1 George Leigh Street, Manchester M4 5DL