Reimagining Cowes High Street
Team with 3 members
The opportunity
Cowes High Street has a rich maritime heritage and a vibrant sailing identity that comes alive each summer, especially during Cowes Week. But outside the sailing season, the street quiets down. Shops stay open but footfall slows. Some residents feel it no longer reflects or serves the wider community.
This project asks: What could Cowes High Street become if it were designed not just for visitors, but for everyone - all year round?
The problem we're tackling
Cowes High Street thrives in the summer but feels underused in the off-season. It doesn’t always meet the needs of the whole community, from young people and working families, to older residents and those not involved in the sailing world.
The challenge
How might we preserve Cowes High Street’s unique maritime identity while reimagining it as a vibrant, inclusive and welcoming space that serves the whole community throughout the year?
This is about more than footfall - it’s about pride, connection and local voice.
What we’ve heard so far
Strengths to build on:
- Strong sailing identity and maritime character;
- Cowes Week and a rich seasonal tourism economy;
- Independent shops, art galleries and artisan cafés;
- Boatbuilding industry and proud local heritage;
- Some pubs already act as winter “warm hubs”;
- Few empty shops - strong core of activity.
Challenges to address:
- Perception that sailing isn’t for locals or young people;
- High property prices, driven by second homes;
- No affordable venues for socialising (e.g. pubs, cafés);
- Aging population; younger voices underrepresented;
- The street doesn’t feel welcoming to everyone year-round;
- “Two Cowes” – a growing divide between visitors and residents.
Key questions we're exploring:
- Who is the High Street really for and who’s missing?
- What do locals cherish and what’s holding them back?
- Can a street serve tradition and transformation together?
Who's leading this work?
This is a community-first project, led by people who live, work and care about Cowes. It is supported by the Future Towns Innovation Hub, with input from local businesses, schools, artists, planners and residents.
We’re not here to impose a vision, we’re here to build one with you.
Why get involved?
If you care about:
- Inclusive, year-round local places;
- A high street that feels like it belongs to everyone;
- Protecting Cowes’ unique spirit, not flattening it;
- Giving young people a stronger voice in placemaking;
- Making space for creativity, connection and resilience;
… this is your moment to shape the future of Cowes High Street.
Get involved
Whether you're a young person with big ideas, a lifelong resident with stories to tell or a shop owner navigating seasonal shifts, we want to hear from you.
Let’s build a High Street that sails through every season and welcomes everyone aboard.
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