Bill Grimsey, the former boss of Wickes, Iceland, Booker and Focus DIY, is revisiting his Grimsey Review, first published in 2013.
The revised edition of the Grimsey Review – An Alternative Future for the High Street aims to shed light on current developments in UK retail, given recent troubles in the industry including store closures, administrations and CVAs.
The review, written by independent experts, will examine the current state of high streets and town centres, and the impact of technological advances and Brexit.
Grimsey – following the recent collapse of two major UK retailers, Toys R Us and Maplin – called for a renewal of focus on town centres and high streets.
He said: “It is time to get this subject back on everyone’s agenda. Otherwise we will continue to sleepwalk into the remainder of the 21st century, leaving a legacy of ill-thought-out town centres and high streets to the next generation.”
Using case studies, the report will explore models for reinventing the store as a community hub.
Due to be published on July 4, it will also examine social and political factors for change, such as ageing demographics, as well as the costs, financing and operating models of towns.
Grimsey said: “Change is rapid and change is constant. This all-encompassing second review […] will act as an independent source of evidence and advice as to how the change should be managed.”
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