As someone who has lived in Slough their entire life, I am well acquainted with the disappointed frowns and weary grumbles over the state of the high street. I’ve seen shops come and go, heard of hopeful plans for renovations, only to quietly fall through and never be spoken of again.
Right now, Slough’s high street feels tired. Rows of shutters, a handful of chain stores and not much to be awed by. It seems the pigeons are the only creatures ecstatic to fly over and huddle on the grey tarmac.
But just because something seems bleak now does not mean that it has to remain that way. Rather, there is a massive opportunity here to rejuvenate the high street for us and future generations to enjoy. It is merely a canvas at the moment, ready to transform into the best version of itself.
Slough is one of the most diverse towns in the country. We come from all over the globe – Asia, Europe, Africa, and beyond – bringing with us a wealth of artistic expression, brimming under the surface, waiting to be unlocked. And where better to start than in our local high street?
Imagine colourful murals by local artists, a platform to express our stories from migration to settling. We have more than enough space to be exhibited, perhaps in empty shop units or on a designated wall intended for such displays. There’s something powerful about seeing your identity painted publicly, articulating unrepentant pride for all to see. And it’s just as powerful to hear it. Whether it comes from spoken word poets, dhol drummers or traditional folk music, the high street can be a lively venue for culture, celebrating anybody and everybody.
Plus, with the revival of interest of the high street in a social sense, it adds an economic incentive. We often hear excuses that stores are struggling due to fierce competition with the convenience of ordering online. But the internet cannot replicate the physical experiences of connection and community which personifies and sentimentalises a customer’s purchase. Especially as it gives families a chance to enjoy something new that’s also enriching!
But aside from commercial or creative perks, the most significant thing a remodelled high street should possess is collaboration. That the residents of Slough can involve themselves in its design, securing their wants and desires since we are the primary consumer. The Slough high street is ours, and for too long we have been the afterthought when we should be at the heart of all plans. Sessions should be hosted, questionnaires filled and debates held online, ensuring no person’s ideas are unrepresented.
We don’t need to become the next London or Reading. Slough has the potential to be more than a stretch of shops. It just needs to invest and utilise in what it already has – community, culture and creativity. It’s more than a place to pass through. Our stories are here.
Let’s display them, loud and proud!
