New research highlights how critical communities are to saving Britain’s high streets. In order to level up town centres across the country, serious support and investment is needed.
The report, from Sheffield Hallam University, commissioned by Power to Change provides recommendations for government. It takes a strategic look at the role community businesses can play in addressing the challenges of UK high streets. It considers how community businesses can succeed in high streets, what they can contribute, and what support they need to make a long-term difference to restore ‘pride in place’ in struggling town centres.
The research, undertaken in spring 2022, was guided by three questions:
- How can community businesses succeed in high street contexts?
- How can community businesses contribute to high street regeneration?
- What is the strategic potential of support for community businesses in high streets
The report identifies opportunities and challenges for community businesses on high streets, and the forms of support they are likely to need. It outlines three forms of strategic contribution community businesses can make to the broader prosperity of their high streets and communities. And it provides recommendations for government, local authorities, property owners, community businesses, and funding organisations. View here