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.
🧵 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
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.