{
  "id": 10309822,
  "title": "My hometown shows that high streets have to change or die",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/27/my-hometown-shows-that-high-streets-have-to-change-or-die",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-27T23:05:53.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "BBC News",
    "slug": "bbc-news",
    "url": "https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/crd689de186jo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A once bustling high street in Aberdeen, once home to the iconic Marks & Spencer store, now stands empty, a stark reminder of the challenges facing town centres across the UK. As shoppers increasingly turn to online shopping and out-of-town retail centres, many High Streets have been left to languish, empty and neglected. In Aberdeen, however, a unique approach has been taken to revitalise the city's High Streets and bring long-forgotten upper floors of buildings back into use. The council has declared war on its vacant shop problem, taking a hands-on approach to filling vacant units and transforming the city centre into a destination for residents and visitors alike.",
  "summary": "Aberdeen is launching an ambitious bid to revive its struggling centre. Could it offer lessons for other high streets?",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}