# Rip out ugly clutter to help revive UK high streets, says thinktank

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/rip-out-ugly-clutter-to-help-revive-uk-high-streets-says-thinktank/
- Published: 2026-11-13T17:05:23+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-13T17:34:27+00:00
- Original publisher: The Guardian (publisher lean: Left)
- Original article: https://www.theguardian.com/society/2026/nov/13/rip-out-clutter-to-retail-revive-high-streets-thinktank
- Topics: Business, Government, Politics, Space, Technology, UK, World

## Key points

- A thinktank says smaller street changes could help revive high streets.
- Shared e-bikes could bring over £146,000 in annual nearby spending per parking-space area.
- The report urges towns to reduce traffic and remove unnecessary street clutter.

## Summary

A report led by the urban thinktank Create Streets argues that modest changes to UK high streets could attract shoppers more effectively than costly redevelopments. It recommends reducing the dominance of motor traffic, removing unnecessary street furniture and making pavements and kerbside space more inviting.

The study says one parking space in a market town typically serves about 3.5 vehicles a day and is linked to just over £73,000 in nearby annual spending. Using the same 12 square metres for nine shared e-bikes could generate more than £146,000 in spending, rising above £300,000 in a busy city; outdoor dining could bring about £120,000 in a city centre. The report also argues that removing pedestrian guardrails can improve the feel of streets, and cites Altrincham, where a walkable, car-free area helped reduce retail vacancies from more than 30%.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.