In their article, the authors discuss the problem of revitalisation of trade and service activities in urban centres (business streets). Resolution of this problem requires coordinated actions undertaken by representatives of the local self-government and the business sphere. The main task of self-governments in this respect should be creation of a spatial order and promotion of functions of individual areas according to the strategy adopted by the town. Without implementation of measures from the sphere of marketing promoting trade and service functions in the urban centres control of degradation of business streets seems to be impossible.