CHESTER features in a new report aimed at revitalising the UK’s high streets post-recession.

The British Retail Consortium (BRC) has published a 20-point plan – “21st Century High Streets: A new vision for our town centres” – which aims to reinvigorate the retail sector and arrest a decline that was under way in some centres before the recession hit.

Twenty city and town centres were used as case studies, including London, Belfast, Edinburgh and Chester.

The report highlights how the ancient Roman city tackled declining afternoon footfall by making some car parks “Free after 3”.

It also illustrates the deep impact the recession is having on retailing throughout the country, with 12% of town centre shops standing vacant – three times more than last autumn.

Key recommendations in the report include a look at the economic health of our city and town centres.

It argues that “curing ill health is easier than reviving the dead” and calls for a careful programme of economic health monitoring, especially for town centres approaching “tipping points”.

The need for good design which makes the most of heritage features or natural surroundings to create a “unique sense of place” is examined.

And on the subject of crime, the BRC document urges that “real priority must be given to deterring all forms of retail crime and anti-social behaviour”.

It adds: “To prevent a downward spiral, damaged property must be restored quickly.” The document also calls on the government to resist any new property or business rate burdens and for local authorities to take a responsible approach to how they raise and spend money, particularly parking and transport policies which, it says, should be directed at providing a service to customers and retailers, not exploited as a local authority fundraiser. Unveiling the BRC’s report its Director General, Stephen Robertson, said: “High streets are the heart of local communities and economies – providing jobs and essential services.

“They are a crucial part of our national retail mix, but many of them are in trouble, facing difficulties that began well before the current recession.”