IN the retail sector, Michael Green notes that while the region missed out on the initial boom in outlet centres, this is in the process of being rectified. Despite the sea change in government policy against out-of-town retail, schemes such as the Whiteley Outlet Village have "slipped under the wire". Portsmouth will soon benefit from Gunwharf Quays and Berkeley Festival Waterfront.

As Green comments: "Like buses it seems, after a ten-year wait, two outlet centres come along at once." The lacklustre performance of Southampton retail is expected to change with the arrival of the West Quay regional shopping centre. "Present uncertainty over the likely changes to the prime pitch have put off occupiers and investors alike." The historical centres of Winchester, Salisbury and Chichester have performed well on the rental front, but the fastest rise has been Poole where rents are double the region's average.

Southampton and Portsmouth are practical examples of government policy aimed at attracting retail and residential development in city centres. As new schemes in both cities come to fruition in the next 12 months, it will be interesting to see whether the infrastructure can cope with the inevitable increase in car-borne traffic.

If it doesn't work, one has to question whether future government policy should encourage at least a limited amount of out-of-town development. l This is the sixth edition of The South Coast Metropole report.

The report covers the major economic changes that have taken place in the region over the past six years, together with detailed property market issues and activities over the last twelve months. The Metropole region was formed to enhance the economic standing of four principal towns and cities in the South of England and now includes the Isle of Wight. The Metropole symbolises an integrated economic area centred on Southampton.

It stretches from Bournemouth and Poole in the west to Portsmouth to the east of the region.

Converted for the new archive on 25 January 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.