British Find Big-box Retailers Undermine Downtowns

The British government is questioning the rapid expansion of big retailers, such as Ikea, because they generate too much traffic and undermine established town centers.

1 minute read

November 18, 2002, 12:00 PM PST

By Chris Steins @planetizen


"The [British] government is now questioning the rapid expansion ofIkea and, implicitly, other big out-of-town retailers because theygenerate too much traffic and undermine established town centres. Noting that it planned to treble its number of British outlets, thedeputy prime minister (John Prescott), who is in charge of planning, hastold the company it should look at smaller sites and consider breakingup activities - 'disaggregating', in the jargon of the trade."

Thanks to The Practice of New Urbanism

Saturday, November 16, 2002 in The Guardian Unlimited

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