Lincoln Time for a Different Approach?

Lincoln Time for a Different Approach?

The time of when we went to town to do shopping has long been over, it seems our authorities and planners are running out of ideas of what to do with our towns, as more and more traditional retailers go to the wall.

The internet, crippling rents, steep prices on parking, or dodgy practises by car park owners and lack of good timely access to public transport are all in some way or another to blame.

However it doesn't need to be this way and I would like to posit some ideas as to how we can regenerate our centres.

Our town centres need to become places where people can go meet, up, take in culture, theatre, arts, listen to music, and find unique items of food and other household items. A place for business and innovation, markets filled with food halls and crafts. Street arts and places where people feel alive and they belong.

A place for everyone to enjoy and mix to bring together people, of cultures, minds, and a sense of togetherness. It is a shame that in a world where we can communicate instantly, we don't talk to each other. We need to use these spaces to integrate our people. Help celebrate cultures, beliefs and add value to all our residents life's.

Firstly authorities must encourage people to visit, this means making it accessible for all, with timely bus/train routes and other public transport.  The cuts over the last ten years in bus times and lack of good accessible taxis mean that for some the town almost becomes a nightmare to visit.

Perhaps more planning on zoning can be done so a place for students, party goers with appropriate shops and night life, another more relaxed areas with a grown up atmosphere. How about a place for the more mature where they can go talk and sit with an evening economy, enjoy a show, have a meal (and I don’t mean just another faux Italian., listen to music.

Not forgetting the business world, it seems more and more people tend to work for smaller, smarter firms. These firms won't often have the financial structure for buildings, or secretarial staff so how about a business hub quarter an area, with meeting rooms, state of the art business facilities  where people can meet and have meetings and work in conducive atmosphere.

We also need to be greener so bring back parks, and green areas town gardens managed by volunteers, homeless with the proceeds going back in to the communities.

Not forgetting the young, they need places to go, things to do, clubs, social activities, why do these need to be hidden in a village hall, similarly for the elderly, meet up/join up work with children it benefits all. Why not use some of the traditional places like libraries and town halls for such activates.

Whatever we do, it's time to rethink how we are using our spaces, and the days of Saturday town runs to shop are I believe well and truly gone.