PT1: Dead Endz: Commercial Road, Portsmouth

This image, for me, represents my experience of the atmosphere on the high street. As one of the most obvious issues of the town centre is the amount of empty shops. Significantly the closure of a large department store right in the centre of town. However, this issue is not only a result of the Pandemic. Trends show that high street retail has been struggling for a while now due to the rise in online shopping.

But is that really a problem?

Not necessarily.

These vacant spaces could be reused for innovative purposes, to redefine what we call a 'city centre'. From a place of 'transactions' and 'Materialism' to an interpersonal experience, a community of learning and progress.

Gallery:

Left to Right: Dead end of litter at Eden Street, An empty cascades, Bins juxtaposing Flannels retail.

Left to Right: One of many empty shops in Cascades shopping centre, A dark alley on Arundel St during the day, A corner of the War memorial behind Guildhall.

Left to Right: Empty carpark above Cascades, Empty Storefront at North end of Commercial road High street, Catherine house overshadowing vernacular buildings.

*All Photos are Own source

Mind-mapping key observations and focal issues: