Averting dead mall syndrome: de-malling and the future of the purpose-built shopping center in large UK cities

White, J. T. , Orr, A. , Jackson, C., Gardner, A., Hickie, J., Richardson, R. and Stewart, J. (2023) Averting dead mall syndrome: de-malling and the future of the purpose-built shopping center in large UK cities. Journal of Urban Affairs, (doi: 10.1080/07352166.2023.2239957) (Early Online Publication)

Abstract

As consumer habits evolve the role of purpose-built shopping centers is being severely tested. The phrase “dead mall syndrome” is now frequently used in North America and parts of Europe to describe shopping centers facing obsolescence. In this paper, we make purpose-built shopping centers in large UK cities our focus and consider the extent to which “dead mall syndrome” and “de-malling” are occurring on the UK’s city center high streets. Using a new dataset, we find that shopping centers are facing high levels of vacancy and can no longer rely on the rental income that used to flow from retailers. Tenancies are also more difficult to sustain in older enclosed shopping centers than in newer open-air shopping centers. This has forced some operators to adopt radical “de-malling” measures that focus on the redevelopment of former shopping center sites into mixed-use urban quarters. This approach has been aided by flexible UK planning policies that enable shop owners to convert redundant retail space into alternative new uses. We argue, however, that a more managed approach is necessary to ensure these urban transformations achieve a sustainable fix to the “crisis on the high street” in large UK city centers.

• Item Type: Articles
• Additional Information: This work was supported by the Economic and Social Research Council [ES/R005117/1].
• Status: Early Online Publication
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Gardner, Dr Alan and White, Professor James and Stewart, Dr Joanna and Richardson, Dr Robert and Orr, Dr Allison
• Authors: White, J. T., Orr, A., Jackson, C., Gardner, A., Hickie, J., Richardson, R., and Stewart, J.
• Subjects: G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GF Human ecology. Anthropogeography; H Social Sciences > H Social Sciences (General)
• College/School: College of Social Sciences > School of Social and Political Sciences > Urban Studies; College of Social Sciences
• Journal Name: Journal of Urban Affairs
• Publisher: Taylor & Francis
• ISSN: 0735-2166
• ISSN (Online): 1467-9906
• Published Online: 30 August 2023
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2023 The Author(s)
• First Published: First published in Journal of Urban Affairs 2023
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons license

Project Code	Award No	Project Name	Principal Investigator	Funder's Name	Funder Ref	Lead Dept
300058		Real Estates Adaptation and Innovation within an Integrated Retailing System	Allison Orr	Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC)	ES/R005117/1	S&PS - Urban Studies