“ I think it would be a real shame to lose the "Spires Entrance" and risk becoming another shopping centre in any town any where. High Barnet does not have the capacity to compete (even with an extended Spires) with the usual model that's needed for high footfall retailing. It cannot compete directly with the likes of Enfield, Brent Cross. Loosing it's character is not going to help it attract different retailing mix.
Upgrading it's character sensitively and perhaps proactively find a key niche to attract particular type of retailers (perhaps good quality local designers and producers for one). This would include working in partnership with the suppliers and perhaps coming up with more innovative and appropriate rental schemes there are no doubt being offered currently. Might be one sensible way to go making High Barnet a Destination with a Difference, rather than any town anywhere or a struggling high street with Estate Agents, Cafe's and Charity Shops galore. Just a thought and really not meant as criticism of all the hard work that has no doubt gone into keeping it going and improving the high street to date during a very difficult economic period. ”