Where Do People Work

[BoldonLad]

I'm sure there is - most businesses can operate in a variety of locations. I propose that the majority of Opticians are in Town Centres, or they are vendors-of-specs over the internet.
The thread IS about macro behaviour; where you or I go has little relevance. Would you agree?

Isn't the issue that some activities require a physical presence (like an eye test, for example), and, possibly specialist, none portable equipment. So, to me, that would suggest (say) Opticians need a physical location, in which to do the tests. However, (say) supply of actual lenses and frames, can be done remotely (ie via internet). However, I suspect the bulk of the profit, for the Optician, is in the lenses and/or frames, so, removing this aspect of the business would impact the business model, with, perhaps, unintended and/or undesirable consequences.

 

[Psamathe]

I thought the discussion was opticians. High street or internet?
There is a 3rd option.

I'm sure there is - most businesses can operate in a variety of locations. I propose that the majority of Opticians are in Town Centres, or they are vendors-of-specs over the internet.
The thread IS about macro behaviour; where you or I go has little relevance. Would you agree?

For me it's not an absolute ie zero High Street vs maintain High Street of a few years ago.

It's a question of artificially supporting the much publicised High Street when people don't want to use it to the same extent. Undoubtedly some stores are better suited to High Streets and would remain in a much reduced "High Street" and it wouldn't be a Saturday/Sunday entertainment for some to browse low cost clothing stores to buy fast fashion they don't need and would only last a few uses anyway.

I certainly don't see opticians as needing the High Street. My dentist isn't in the High Street (my current one is in a large GP practice building). Few occasions I've seen a chiropodist never on High Street. Same for physiotherapists, etc.

My preference is that thing evolve naturally rather than being artificially subsidised when there isn't the demand. Then only artificial interference would be for more critical services eg for those more limited.

 

[Pblakeney]

It's a question of artificially supporting the much publicised High Street when people don't want to use it to the same extent. Undoubtedly some stores are better suited to High Streets and would remain in a much reduced "High Street" and it wouldn't be a Saturday/Sunday entertainment for some to browse low cost clothing stores to buy fast fashion they don't need and would only last a few uses anyway.
...
My preference is that thing evolve naturally rather than being artificially subsidised when there isn't the demand. Then only artificial interference would be for more critical services eg for those more limited.

Unfortunately the majority of people I see on the high street are going for fast fashion and popping into 'Spoons. Or just browsing, which doesn't support business.

I do agree with the second paragraph.

 

[BoldonLad]

For me it's not an absolute ie zero High Street vs maintain High Street of a few years ago.

It's a question of artificially supporting the much publicised High Street when people don't want to use it to the same extent. Undoubtedly some stores are better suited to High Streets and would remain in a much reduced "High Street" and it wouldn't be a Saturday/Sunday entertainment for some to browse low cost clothing stores to buy fast fashion they don't need and would only last a few uses anyway.

I certainly don't see opticians as needing the High Street. My dentist isn't in the High Street (my current one is in a large GP practice building). Few occasions I've seen a chiropodist never on High Street. Same for physiotherapists, etc.

My preference is that thing evolve naturally rather than being artificially subsidised when there isn't the demand. Then only artificial interference would be for more critical services eg for those more limited.

Exactly. There is no point trying to falsely maintain some “past it’s sell by date” High Street model. If we are going to do that, why not bring back blacksmiths to shoe our horses, and stables at each hotel.

 

[First Aspect]

Our area probably isn't representative, but Tavistock is still a viable town centre. The eatery to shop ratio has probably changed, but they do benefit from each other being there.

Both a Plymouth and Exeter aways deel busy to me when I visit also. For Plymouth that surprises me, because the Luftwaffe and then even more so the city council have made it about as visually appealing as Pripyat, but it still seems to support the same sorts of shops and the same sort of people that town centres did when I was younger. (Yes I know it's a city, but it's smaller than some towns, e.g. Bolton)

 

[Rusty Nails]

Like everything else in life the "High Street" has to change to survive. It is not the High Street of 40 years ago or 140 years ago and not the High Street of 50 years time, but I am pretty certain the concept will adapt and survive.

 

[matticus]

Isn't the issue that some activities require a physical presence (like an eye test, for example), and, possibly specialist, none portable equipment. So, to me, that would suggest (say) Opticians need a physical location, in which to do the tests. However, (say) supply of actual lenses and frames, can be done remotely (ie via internet). However, I suspect the bulk of the profit, for the Optician, is in the lenses and/or frames, so, removing this aspect of the business would impact the business model, with, perhaps, unintended and/or undesirable consequences.

Well yes, exactly (glad someone finally saw the point!).

And the bold bit is really the key point ...