Empty shops could become homes

Several papers reflect on comments by Nick Boles, the Planning Minister, that town centre shops could be converted into homes. In an interview with the Sunday Times, Mr Boles suggested that rather than seeking to revive every street of boarded-up shops, councils should concentrate on retail outlets in "prime" locations and allow other areas to become residential areas. Mr Boles said that the rise in internet shopping and a change in working patterns meant councils needed to take a "more relaxed" approach to converting underused retail space. Retail experts were divided on his proposal. Mary Portas said: "My concern is that the local councils will just go for the easy option of 'let's turn it back to housing' and that mustn't happen." Retail campaigner Bill Grimsey offered a different view. He said: "At last the message is getting through - that there are high streets out there that need to be considered in a very different way. It's only going to get worse. High streets cannot continue to serve solely as a retail destination, they have to be seen as a community hub."