The new edition of the IHBC’s celebrated membership journal, Context is now out and going shopping to explore at the diverse aspects of retail and heritage issues across the UK.
IHBC’s Projects Officer and Editorial Board Chair Fiona Newton said: ‘The face of retailing is forever changing. For decades we have had one innovation after another. We do not know what retailing will look like in the future but we can be certain that the retailers will assure us that they know exactly what is needed and that they should be given their planning permission immediately.’
‘Whatever does happen is likely to present both threats and opportunities for the historic environment. If the move out of town is reversed, the decline and neglect of the high street might be reduced too. But the new pressure on high streets and town centres might treat the historic fabric as an obstacle. Retailing is a changing business and retailers want premises that they can refashion and redevelop regularly. Amid the frenzy of consumption and the hunt for bargains, there are still some other things – buildings and places – that people value.’
- The changing face of the high street is examined by Tim Brennan
- Retail is brought into focus in Scotland by Leigh Sparks, and in Exeter by Tom Copp
- The detail that makes ‘retail’ work is examined by Lyndsay Lennie, who looks at the art of shop signs, and
- Colin Hyde’s review of 1970’s archives from local radio examines how the public felt about retail changes of the time
- After all that shopping we might feel the need for a drink, so Nigel Crowe looks at the collection of historic buildings the Wetherspoons pub chain has brought back into use.
As ever, themed issues of Context also include more general conservation articles as well as news, book reviews and reports from IHBC’s officers.
If you have any suggestions for articles or other material contact Fiona Newton at: editorial@ihbc.org.uk
More information on editions of Context and deadlines
