"Jones Lang LaSalle director says the government needs to work with landlords and retailers to help struggling high streets survive"

Link to The Guardian

"High streets could become 'zombies' unless planning rules change to make it easier for cafes, restaurants and homes to move in where shops can no longer operate, a retail expert has claimed.

"Unless the planning rules change and we can 'leisurefy' these streets we are looking at zombie towns," said Richard Brown, a director at property agent Jones Lang LaSalle which launched its predictions for the property market on Tuesday. He said that the top 50 UK high streets, including those in regional centres such as Oxford, Bath, Edinburgh and Brighton, were likely to get stronger as retailers concentrate their store portfolios on prime sites.

"His comments come as a government-backed working group prepares to deliver its report on policy changes needed to support local high streets later this month."