ABSTRACT
Historically, town centres were the focus of life for their communities. A locus for trade, exchange, social interaction and celebration, town centres were at the heart of civic life. With increasing political interest in smaller communities, architects and designers are well-placed to lead the way in considering the future of town centres. This chapter explores a series of projects where the fortunes of town centres have been radically altered, diversifying the focus beyond retail to explore futures founded on local identity, a sense of community and new civic functions. The challenge for designers is how to shift the emphasis from the high street as a place of retail to rediscovering its role in the rhythms and rituals of the everyday life. Rethinking the future of town centres requires understanding of the local community, its dynamic and its practices. The design of the new building aimed to integrate a new sizable retail space into a sensitive historic fabric.
