Whatever Happened to Regional Shopping Centres?

Abstract

This paper examines a major recent development in the retail geography of Britain – the out-of-town regional shopping centre (RSC). It attempts to explain why there has been so little RSC development in Britain, compared with the situation in north America, or with expectations in the late 1980s. After a summary of the north American background, the progress in RSC construction in Britain during the 1970s and 1980s is reviewed. The high level of local opposition to RSC development, and the changing views of government departments during this period, are summarised. The planning and development history, and subsequent impact, of four large RSCs built during the late 1980s are explained. Finally, the prospects for development of more RSCs in the 1990s are discussed. It is concluded that strengthening opposition from planning and institutional interests will severely restrict further growth in the number of RSCs in Britain.

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