Published: Monday 21 March 2022
A new report on Kensington and Chelsea’s high streets has been published by Centre for London, reviewing three major but unique locations in the borough and providing recommendations on how they could be improved.
The Council commissioned the independent study to help learn from temporary interventions introduced during Covid and the report offers inspiration and ideas to breathe new life into local high streets post-lockdown.
Cllr Catherine Faulks, Lead Member for Economy, Employment and Innovation said:
“It’s an incredibly exciting but critical time for our high streets to be reopening post-lockdown and being able to plan for the future again. Our priority is to make sure high streets across the borough are equipped to provide the best experience for residents, visitors, and local businesses.”
“This report from Centre for London provides valuable insight and we’ll be working with the communities in these areas to develop the ideas into local action plans to make real changes.”
The report looked at a whole range of key areas of improvement that the Council could have an impact on, which include:
- Pavement space and kerbside use
- Managing driving for safer and less busy roads
- Road space
- Transport facilities
- Walking routes
- Public art
- Festivals and events
- Plants and greenery
- Visual identity
- Use of vacant spaces
- Public facilities
- Places to stop
- Places for children
- Safety and security
- Lighting
- Climate resilience
- Accessibility
From these, after in-depth assessments of each of the high streets, some more focused recommendations were made that could be introduced in each location.
Portobello Road recommended measures were around remodelling street surfaces; investing in branding for the iconic area and market, more artwork and signage; more benches; utilising vacant retail units; and more trees and planters.
Notting Hill Gate recommended measures were around: upgrades to street lighting; short term uses for empty spaces; improving crossings; additional seating and alfresco dining; and more tree planting.
Gloucester Road recommended measures were around: improved crossings; better signage for walking route to local attractions; replacing road centre parking; increasing the number of places to sit; and adding a mural to Gloucester Arcade shopping centre.
The Council’s Planning and Place team has been working with local communities to gather feedback on high streets in the borough, engaging with over 600 residents and business owners so far through surveys and workshops. in these areas to implement some of the recommendations from the Centre for London report.
This is the first phase of two-phased research. The second phase of the report will happen in the autumn and look at how people are moving around the borough and post-Covid transport patterns across London.
Other current support from the Council for high streets include backing three new Business Improvement Districts which will bring in £15 million in investment and extending al fresco dining provision.
The Council is the first in the UK to set out plans to permanently support al fresco dining, after government legislation ends in September 2022. A new local policy will see businesses offered licences to operate from March to October, in line with British Summer Time. Sloane Square, which became a hub for outdoor dining in the pandemic, could see its future secured with a 10-year licence, applied for by the Council.
A new seasonal spring campaign has also been launched by the Council to encourage residents and visitors to explore the borough’s attractions with a new walking map, highlighting all of the fantastic places to visit and things to do.