Assessing the need for new retail and commercial leisure floorspace

Barnet Town Centre Floorspace Needs Assessment

Parts of the future of a community can be measured in square metres. In the case of the London Borough of Barnet, we helped inform their new retail and town centre policies with an assessment of retail and commercial needs through 2036.

The study analysed the quality of main town centre uses, reviewed the existing hierarchy and network of centres, assessed potential site opportunities in and on the edge of existing centres, and recommended an appropriate local impact threshold. 

The study concluded that by 2036, there will be capacity for nearly 60,000 square metres net comparison (non-food) floorspace, no capacity for convenience (food) floorspace, and capacity for over 30,000 square metres gross food and beverage floorspace. It’s estimated the community can also host an additional 14 cinema screens by the mid-2030s.

We suggested sites that could accommodate the identified need for future retail and commercial floorspace and provided high-level strategy for town centres within the borough.