A-Level Geography Fieldwork �The health of our local high streets

Introductory discussion questions

• What is a high street?

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• Who uses a high street and what do they use it for? �
• What makes a ‘good’ high street? What makes a ‘bad’ high street?

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• What is your local high street? What are you thoughts on it as place?

The geography of the high street

The geography of the high street

• Do you socialise and shop on your local high street? Which of the services on your local high street do you use and why?

Source: https://www.rsph.org.uk/static/3cbb7f99-f1e0-4932-98d6fb33f6524941/Streets-ahead.pdf

The geography of the high street

Can you relate to this image?

If so, why? If not, why not?

The geography of the high street

The geography of the high street

The geography of the high street

The geography of the high street

Setting the scene for our fieldwork

Three reports that we’ll reference in this investigation:

2025

2025

2018

https://www.rsph.org.uk/static/3cbb7f99-f1e0-4932-98d6fb33f6524941/Streets-ahead.pdf

https://www.healthequitynorth.co.uk/app/uploads/GHOST-TOWNS-REPORT-EMBARGOED.pdf

https://www.rsph.org.uk/static/uploaded/dbdbb8e5-4375-4143-a3bb7c6455f398de.pdf

Setting the scene for our fieldwork

Use these two links to complete the notes on p.2 of your booklet.

2018 Running on Empty Report: https://www.rsph.org.uk/static/uploaded/dbdbb8e5-4375-4143-a3bb7c6455f398de.pdf �

2025 Streets Ahead Report: https://www.rsph.org.uk/static/3cbb7f99-f1e0-4932-98d6fb33f6524941/Streets-ahead.pdf

Setting the scene for our fieldwork

“We need a vision of the British high street that gives healthy businesses the tools they need to thrive, where the needs of communities are met and where people want to spend their time and money. High streets have come a long way since the 1860s and if they are invested in and protected, they should be around for many years to come.”

Source: 2018 Running on Empty Report

What should the role of the high street be in 2025?

What would a high street where ‘needs of communities are met’ look like?

What would make you want to spend time and money on your local high street?

How do different people experience the high street differently?

Setting the scene for our fieldwork

What would make your local high street feel more inviting?

Why does the deterioration of our high streets make us feel more disconnected as communities?

Why does the deterioration of our high streets make town centres feel less safe?

Why would women, children and the elderly be particularly affected by the disappearance of high street amenities?

Source: https://www.theguardian.com/society/2025/may/23/number-vape-shops-england-rises-decade?dm_i=6QMU,16W2R,323SBF,5KS4F,1

Setting the scene for our fieldwork

Reflection on your own high street to complete the questions on p.3:

• How often do you use your local high street?
• What facilities do you use on your local high street?
• Which facilities are available on your local high street that you don't use? Why is this?
• How do your different family members use the local high street in a different way?
• Do you know anyone who does not use the local high street at all? Why is this? �
• Is your local high street a ‘nice’ place to visit? Does it have a positive sense of place?
• If yes, what helps to add to this positive sense of place?
• If no, what are the major reasons for this negative sense of place?

Setting the scene for our fieldwork

Look at the 12 photos that you have been given of Cricklewood:

• Which represent Cricklewood as you know it?
• Which do you feel show Cricklewood as your local place? Why?
• Which do not represent Cricklewood as you know it? Why not?

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Undertaking our fieldwork

Hypothesis

A hypothesis (H₁) is a prediction or idea that states a relationship between two variables, using scientific method. It is then tested using data. On that basis it may then be accepted, rejected, or be inconclusive

A null hypothesis (H₀) is an opposite, i.e. it assumes that no relationship exists between variables. Its purpose is scientific – it intends to provide an alternative, so the investigator does not prefer one prediction over another, just because they expect a relationship to exist

Create your own hypothesis & null hypothesis for our research question:�

Which high street is ‘healthier’: Cricklewood or West Hampstead? �

Hypothesis:

Null hypothesis:

Undertaking our fieldwork

Secondary data

What did the Health of the High Street report in 2018 say about our study areas?

Secondary data

Further reading: �The health of our local high streets

BBC News: High Street hit as 38 shops close every day

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cp35e8ggk59o

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RGS Blog: Why geographers should not stop caring about high streets

https://blog.geographydirections.com/2023/09/19/why-geographers-shouldnt-stop-caring-about-the-high-street/?utm_source=Twitter&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=Orlo

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Ghost Towns: The Decline of the High Street and Health Inequalities Report

https://www.healthequitynorth.co.uk/app/uploads/GHOST-TOWNS-REPORT-EMBARGOED.pdf