Time to look elsewhere?

The UK high street is dead.  Long life to the new high street.

It is a street where those who recycle and assist can now live, but just.   

In my home town among other unusual suspects we now have two charities occupying (legally of course) the biggest shops in the high street. 

These shops are now nicely refurbished.  The city council also splashed some cash in bringing the surrounding walking area up to a good standard.  After some hassle, finally people can have a stroll and walk around.  

Other players in my hometown who did some redecorating include Lloyd's Bank and the coffee chains.  They have taken over less powerful players.  

The former got rid of its black sheep brother (TSB) and the latter did of a local coffee shop.  Not physically but in terms of the market.  TSB had to move to another store nearby.  Not    centrally located.  In the margins. 

A sign of changing times I suppose.

What still remains in the city centre is the picture of economic recession.  Empty shops, shops that go bust and leave.  Not as many as a few years ago, but still.  Other shops remain there, they do well (toy stores), others are still defiant.  Yes, we can still walk and see these shops, as if we were inspecting the aftermath of what they have had to endure.  

Sadly, what also remains in city centres is the mentality that they are not for everyone.  Yes, you can go there, but parking is limited or expensive.  There are really few shops or restaurants for families.  The elderly have one or two spots to hang around before the night clubbers, the young families or the couples take over at the cinema, the Starbucks the Costa coffee (UK based), the fast food or the sandwich shops.  Elevators in shopping centres are always busy.  They are considered a luxury, the same as escalators.  

There is inclusion, but it is very limited.  A kind of public relations stunt.  The stunt can also be seen in the new regeneration plans.  More shops, more happy people, more birds, more green spaces.

So if we want to experience life in a town, where should we as parents of kids, as tourists or people who want to show visitors around, go? Where can we really seat and relax, and experience town life? 

Is it time to look elsewhere than the town centre? 

Or is it time to resign ourselves to wait for better prospects...? 

Too many questions, I know.