Ex-Wickes and Iceland boss Bill Grimsey is about to lead another taskforce focusing on the health of the UK’s high streets after gloomy start to the year for the sector.
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In response to Maplin and Toys R Us UK falling into administration last month, and with other high street retailers New Look and Claire’s currently on shaky grounds – Grimsey is set to restart the taskforce after an initial one 2013 that was closely followed in Westminster.
The latest taskforce is set to factor in current challenges such as Brexit and the 2017 business rates revaluation.
“Five years on the high street continues to face big challenges and now is a good time to take stock of what has changed,” Grimsey 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.”
The new review would present successful examples of retail regeneration projects and what more could be done to help local authorities cope with the structural changes in the retail sector.
The taskforce will also examine costs, financing and operating models and identify what can be done to futureproof town centres and high streets.
Grimsey will collaborate with six other experts such as top’s first ecommerce director Eva Pascoe retail property specialist Matthew Hopkinson.
The report will be unveiled on July 4.
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