Food halls in towns and cities such as Bristol and Cheltenham could help the high street recover after the pandemic, according to a new report.
Data from real estate consultancy P-Three and analysts CACI estimates around 170 flexible food halls could appear in city centres and on high streets in towns across the country after the Covid crisis.
The so-called food hubs or 'F-hubs' would be centred around eateries, according to the research, but could also include art spaces, cinemas, shops, cultural spaces, flexible working areas or be used for educational activities.
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P-Three’s report says lockdown has created a "favourable" marketplace for community food halls, with consumers now placing a higher value on supporting local businesses and communities.
It also identifies increased online engagement, reduced mobility and recession fears as contributing factors that could see almost three million sq ft of new food halls appearing across the 海角视频.
Bristol placed third, behind Glasgow and Birmingham, in a list of 10 parts of the 海角视频 identified as likely growth areas, with Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, in sixth.
Thomas Rose, co-founder of P-Three, said the community-style hubs had the "potential" to lead the regeneration of high streets and town centres.
“Located in the heart of local communities they will be an intrinsic part of the high street or urban quarter offering a truly mixed-use space combining anything from live events to daily co-working to ensure they draw a sustainable audience.
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“The regular footfall and spend generated will act as a catalyst for local regeneration as well as adding value to neighbouring properties making the proposition particularly attractive to both private and public sector landowners and investors.”
In 2017, more than 20 food halls were established in London alone. Mr Rose said smaller-scale, events and culture-driven venues catering to a predominantly local market had already been shown to be successful.
He cited Catford Mews in south east London, a former Poundland store which now accommodates a cinema, live comedy venue and different restaurants, as an example of a new type of food hall that could provide an alternative way to renew local areas from the traditional retail-led model.
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High street retail has taken a series of blows throughout the pandemic, with lockdown restrictions forcing the temporary closure of shops selling non-essential goods.
A series of recent deals involving established high street fashion brands have reflected a longstanding trend that’s seen consumers move towards online shopping and dozens of big-name chains falling into administration.
This year digital fashion retailer Asos acquired the Topshop, Topman and Miss Selfridge brands from Sir Philip Green’s failed Arcadia empire, but the deal did not include the brands’ high street stores.
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Boohoo also bought the digital assets of former Arcadia brands Burton, Dorothy Perkins and Wallis, which again did not incorporate their physical premises.
Mr Rose indicated that as well as the potential for larger, flagship food halls in city centres like in Bristol, many parts of the South West could see the arrival of the smaller, community format of the 'F-hub'.
He said: “Our modelling has identified Bristol and Cheltenham as promising future growth areas because they are in keeping with the essential ingredients for success; strong demographics, a population which likes experience and food alongside high footfall, plenty of striking buildings and diverse local audiences to sustain demand.
“It is likely Bristol can certainly take more than one F-hub and Cheltenham probably only one. There are certainly other locations in the South West which will work; and what we can say with confidence is that F-hubs will flourish when they empower local residents and offer flexible events, community, retail and work spaces alongside traditional food retail."
Mr Rose added that local authorities would be well-placed to own and potentially operate food halls alongside entrepreneurial food businesses, with “deep local knowledge” key to determining what other uses would work most effectively alongside each food hall in different locations.