centres

Centres are the plural form of centre in British English. The term denotes a point, place, or organization that serves as a focal point for a function. It is used across geography, planning, and service sectors to describe the locus of activity or administration.

Geometrically, a centre is the point inside a circle or sphere that is equidistant from all boundary points. In geography, the term identifies a central location around which population, commerce, governance, or culture concentrates. A population centre or administrative centre may shift over time with demographic and political change.

In urban planning and economics, centres often include the central business district, shopping centres, transport interchanges, and regional hubs. The attractiveness of centres stems from agglomeration effects, access to infrastructure, and proximity to markets and services.

In institutional and service contexts, centres group activities under one organization or facility model, such as education centres, research centres, medical centres, or community centres. They may be purpose-built or repurposed and often function as venues for collaboration, learning, or care.

In theory, central places describe a network of settlements where larger centres provide services to surrounding hinterlands. This concept, developed by Walter Christaller, informs regional planning and the classification of settlements into hierarchies of centres.