Graham Soult talks high streets in ITV report from Morpeth

Did you spot Graham Soult on ITV Tyne Tees News yesterday evening, talking about why Morpeth is bucking the trend in terms of its healthy retail occupancy?

Did you spot Graham Soult on ITV Tyne Tees News yesterday evening, talking about why the Northumberland market town of Morpeth is bucking the trend in terms of its healthy retail occupancy rate of 7%, compared to 14% for the North East as a whole?

A well-managed (and fully let) shopping centre in Sanderson Arcade, interesting independent shops, free parking, clean streets and prolific flowers are all factors in making Morpeth an attractive place to trade and visit.

The attractive Sanderson Arcade in Morpeth. Photograph by Graham Soult
The attractive Sanderson Arcade in Morpeth. Photograph by Graham Soult

At the same time, Morpeth has so far avoided any out-of-town retail development, which has had a negative impact on other North East towns such as Bishop Auckland.

Having visited hundreds of towns across the UK over the last decade, Graham has unique, first-hand insights into how town centres are changing – and in many cases evolving rather than dying – and what the characteristics are of places that are doing well.

Get in touch if you’d like to know more about how our knowledge and insights could help your business or place.

Got something to add? Post a comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.