Considerations for Health on the Highstreet
When we think about bringing health onto the high street and co-locating it with retail and leisure, the key is being open to change.
It’s not enough to follow what’s always been done – we need to embrace innovation, understand how people are using spaces differently, and shape environments that reflect those shifts. The considerations span far and wide:
- Does it meet real human needs?
- Is it sustainable and commercially viable?
- Does it add value to the community and support social wellbeing?
The high street has changed dramatically in the past 15–20 years, and so has the way we think about health. People’s habits evolve, and our built environments need to evolve with them. Getting this balance right means health, retail, and leisure can complement each other to create more vibrant, resilient, and people-focused places.