And naturally, the family owned shops, hairdressers and pubs that Burnham's proposal speaks to will be reinforced by increased footfall, more liveable high streets and tackling the run down look and feel of high streets.
Any workable high street policy programme will need to address the surplus of retail space (some long neglected by distant owners). There’s huge potential in reimagining these spaces to meet current needs for training, care, housing, culture and connection, with exciting new models already emerging.
We're actively working with community businesses across England testing innovative approaches to high street regeneration, unlocking empty buildings and bringing local people together to define the future of their high streets. Lots of useful learning for this type of fund - full report coming soon!
Really pleased to see the embrace of a mixed-use model envisioning high streets as sites of community connection, public service delivery and new homes. @powertochange.org.uk has long argued for a more diverse civic model for high streets to promote sustainability, vitality and community leadership.
Our recent @powertochange.org.uk high street policy briefing includes some policy ideas Andy's welcome to borrow, plus excellent case studies of community-led high street renewal
www.powertochange.org.uk/evidence-and...
Over the weekend the government announced £301m(!) for High Streets Innovation Partnerships to help communities 'reimagine and revive struggling high streets and make them fit for the future':
www.gov.uk/government/n...
Andy Burnham clearly understands the role pubs, shops and social clubs have in our shared life – he’s based his campaign out of one. But while high business rates are part of the declining picture of Britain’s high streets, they're by no means the full picture. www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Jess Craig
Jess Craig
Jess Craig
🧵 1/4 High streets are more than shops. They’re civic spaces for culture, learning and connection.
🚨 Today, we publish ‘The high street playbook’, sharing lessons from our Community-Led High Street Innovators programme, and why they matter now.
Quick read: buff.ly/FEQKij1 #HighStreets
#HighStreets can be more than just retail - they can be places for connection, culture & community power. Our new Civic High Street briefing sets out 5 practical steps to unlock this vision.
Read 👉 https://bit.ly/4o0eekg
✍️ @jesscraig.bsky.social
ICYMI: Govt announced £300m+ to fund High Street Innovation Partnerships & last week @jesscraig.bsky.social dug into learning from our Community Led High Street Innovators project - showing how communities can deliver long-term, meaningful regeneration of the high street👇
https://bit.ly/4s1a7Vb
Jess Craig
Labour candidate in Makerfield byelection says party has ‘got it wrong on small businesses’
