Keith Ely recalls the Brunel Centre's peak popularity as a retail destination in Bletchley, Buckinghamshire, when it opened in 1973. At that time, the nearby centre:MK in Milton Keynes did not exist, making the Brunel a significant draw for shoppers. Currently, the Brunel Centre faces challenges, with vacant units and only one remaining store, Boots Opticians, which is set to close later this month ahead of the centre's planned demolition next year. Ely, now 87, expresses no nostalgia for the building, stating, "It is a sad old building, isn't it?"
In a similar situation, the Grafton Centre in Cambridge has seen closures, including a former Debenhams department store and a cinema. Plans for redevelopment include a life science centre, which may be viable in Cambridge due to its status as a leader in life sciences, but this approach may not be applicable to many other regions.
Subjit Jassy, a director at Pioneer Group, which owns the Grafton Centre, notes, "There are too many in the UK and many don't have a future," attributing this to the rise of online shopping.
In 2021, Milton Keynes City Council received £22.7 million from the government's Town Deal Fund for site redevelopment. According to commercial property firm CBRE, the vacancy rate across UK shopping centres was 16% in the second quarter of this year, with major centres reporting significantly lower rates. Research by Savills indicates that between April and June 2026, nearly 73% of consumer spending in shopping centres occurred in larger sites, while less than 18% was spent in medium-sized centres.
Dr. Kardi Somerfield, a marketing lecturer at the University of Northampton, suggests that shopping centres with leisure businesses can attract customers into the evening, stating, "It is not just that shopping centres have one destiny; they really don't." Some destination shopping centres are operating at nearly full occupancy.
Ed Hume, Labour's housing representative at Milton Keynes City Council, emphasizes the need for shops and the importance of creating a more open town centre. Plans in Norwich involve replacing the Anglia Square development primarily with housing.
Alternatives to demolition exist, as seen with Market Walk in Northampton, which is transitioning into a leisure and entertainment space. Somerfield highlights the role of shopping centres as community hubs.
At Weston Favell Shopping Centre in Northampton, foot traffic has increased annually since the pandemic, according to centre manager Kevin Legg. The centre features a mix of a large supermarket, national brands, independent businesses, and community facilities, including a church used by Silhouette Youth Theatre, which is planning to create a 250-seat theatre in a former Wilko store. George Grande, voice lead at Silhouette, notes that the shopping centre location enhances visibility and accessibility for their programs.