| Threats from out of town centres and the Internet were the main cause for the decline in town centre shopping. A study from Newcastle University said that shops and businesses should not take customer loyalty for granted. Out of town shopping malls were leaving local traders seriously out of pocket.
The report concluded that food shopping was important and that shoppers should be encouraged into town to do their food shopping leaving the out of town centres to cater for things like electrical and DIY goods.
The report focussed on Harry Potters home town of Alnwick in Northumberland. Named Britains best place to live in 2002.
The researchers found that market towns had to "get back to basics" to fight the current shift in lifestyles.
The report stated that if people came into town for a good selection of food shops then other shops would benefit. The report also went on to say that it was important to have either a theatre or a cinema in the town centre. | 
