Experts give their views on what should be top of the Queen of Shops' list to revive town centres
Mary "Queen of Shops" Portas has been drafted in by the government to conduct a review of the high street and come up with ideas to bring some variety to so-called "clone towns" and to reinvigorate town centres that are blighted by empty shops.
Prime Minister David Cameron said high streets should be the "very heart of every community" and Portas's "no-nonsense approach", as seen on TV, could help reverse the trend towards out-of-town and online shopping which has left one in seven high street shops standing empty.
The Guardian asked retail experts, planners and lobby groups what Portas could do
John Browett, chief executive, Dixons
"There isn't a big issue with the major high streets, like Oxford Street and the Bullring in Birmingham, but there are problems on smaller high streets in some provincial towns, which have so many empty shops. Diversity is also a problem. The issues are particularly alive in northern towns.
"The way leases work in the UK – long leases with upward-only rent reviews – does not help small and new retailers. That is a real problem. For high street landlords that is a heads I win, tails you lose strategy.
"Another problem in the UK is that rents are usually payable quarterly in advance. In most markets around the world rent is paid monthly. But people all over the world like to shop in shopping centres, and retailers have to follow their customers."
Andrew Simms, fellow at the New Economics Foundation
"I think Mary Portas's heart and instincts are in the right place. Her style has been to tell small shops to get their act together.
"But she seems to be putting a lot of faith in an appeal to the supermarkets' better nature, which is all well and good, but hasn't worked too well over the past 30 years. There's only so much you can do by imploring people to shop in small, independent retailers.
"If she's prepared to read the riot act to supermarkets in the same way as she's willing to take on small business owners, it will make a very interesting spectator sport."
Shani Zindel, partner at Isis, investor in Crew Clothing and formerly in Fat Face
"People always use Marylebone High Street as an example of a success story. It had a very progressive landlord, who wanted to bring independents, and gave it a different atmosphere. But it had one landlord controlling the whole street which you don't have elsewhere.
"British retail has to look hard at itself. There are issues around property owners and how they structure rental agreements. It is hard for independents, and a big risk to open a shop."
Stephen Robertson, director general of the British Retail Consortium
"The government is right to recognise that the future of our high streets cannot be left to chance, but it must take a positive approach that supports retailers of all types and sizes.
"Independents are a vital part of an attractive retail mix, but so are the big names. Ultimately it's customers who have the power in retailing, through the shopping choices they make. This review should not seek to restrict that choice by making life harder for any particular category of retailer."
Matt Thomson, head of policy at the Royal Town Planning Institute
"Out-of-town shopping centres have plentiful free car parking that is easy to use. This puts tremendous pressure on high streets which usually charge for parking and can't always offer easy access, with queues clogging up small streets. Better street lighting, safety measures and amenities like toilets are also an issue.
"Communities want councils to encourage smaller independent retailers, but the way they are being priced out of high streets appears to be something planning can't do anything about. Yet councils are making efforts. Some force developers to include smaller units that independents would be interested in.
"The government should consider giving councils more control over setting business rates, which would give them even more flexibility to encourage independents."
Jim McCarthy, chief executive, Poundland
"What retailers have to do is anticipate consumer needs. Some shoppers find it very convenient to use retail parks; others are dependent on public transport or live locally to high streets, and prefer that. The high street is much more exciting if you have a rich mix of retailers. But consumers recognise good retailers, whether they are independent or multiples.
"If you do the job right, there's a place for you. Mary's experience is extensive, and she can advise retailers on how to succeed, assuming they have finance."