High street
Revered and reviled - the lot of a regulator
Local government's reluctance to embrace regulation is understandable, but it fails to see the side of the service user, says Abdool Kara
Can local authorities still drive town and city centre regeneration?
Incentives such as the Levelling Up funding, combined with the long-term risk of falling business rates means that the potential, and need, for bold change cannot be ignored, says Jonathan Allen of Browne Jacobson.
A flexible future for workspaces and town centres
Brendon Walsh says that - while an increasingly hybrid approach to work will reshape our centres and high streets - use of permitted development rights and pivoting towards education and emerging industries can support regeneration.
Why Beeston’s blockbuster could spark many sequels
A state-of-the-art cinema is at the heart of the Beeston Square development in Broxtowe. Ruth Hyde says reinventing the retail past is not an option, and a ‘willingness to take sizeable risks’ was crucial.
Metropolis didn't have a happy ending
As the threat of COVID begins to lift there are some difficult questions ahead, says Paul Wheeler. He asks how much more difficult will recovery be for city centres 'if a significant number of well-paid workers never spend time or money there'?
Community involvement in town centres – supporting local people to do more
Government should rethink the powers available to local authorities to work with their communities to keep their high streets vibrant, argues Claire Harding of Centre for London.
PM announces policies to support levelling up agenda
The Prime Minister has announced 57 local areas will share £830m to transform high streets as part of the Government's levelling up plans.
Javid: Devolution crucial in levelling up
Former local government secretary Sajid Javid has stressed the importance of devolution in the drive towards levelling up the country.
Building back differently
Andrea George says a cohesive vision for reviving high streets and town centres calls for long-term public-private partnership and engaging with the community to shape detailed, tailored masterplans.
Local elections 2021: Ideas for new administrations
Tom Lloyd Goodwin of CLES lays out eight approaches to tackling the range of problems that threaten to overwhelm the in-trays of new local government and devolved administrations.
A threefold plan for high streets in Surrey
Regenerating high streets and towns after the tragedy of COVID-19 calls for a collaborative and fully inclusive approach that uses existing assets and reflects the distinct identity of each place, says Michael Coughlin.
From surviving to thriving
Rob Barlow outlines the progress Boston BC and East Lindsey DC have made eight months into their Strategic Alliance, including a joint approach to workforce development.
Surfeit of grant pots makes a pot noodle for councils
If questions about the way the Levelling Up Fund and the Towns Fund are targeted dulls ministers’ appetites for more pots then they could always consider rolling them up into one fund and calling it, say, revenue support grant, says Michael Burton.
Councils speak out over controversial planning laws
Councils have stressed they continue to need to have a voice in the planning process as new laws came into force.
BUDGET 2021: Sunak freezes VAT rate to support hospitality and tourism
Support for hospitality and tourism businesses was underpinned in the Budget by a freezing of the current 5% rate of VAT for another six months until the end of September.
Sunak to reveal £5bn for high streets
Chancellor Rishi Sunak is expected announce a further £5bn to rescue high streets in the Budget on Wednesday.
Labour calls for council powers to intervene in high streets
Proposals for councils to take over empty shops and a ‘wholesale reform’ of business rates have been put forward by Labour.
Town recovery the tailored way
The pandemic has made delivering strong, more inclusive and resilient towns crucial, argues Katie Hickman. Here, she outlines the two key elements that will ensure the success of the £3.6bn Towns Fund programme.
A confirmation of local government’s true resilience
Heather Jameson ponders what the latest CIPFA resilience index tells us about the state of local government finances. It contains 'a curious mix of highly informative and utterly irrelevant information'.
Watford is taking care of business
Marie Power outlines Watford BC’s approach to ensuring their business community survives, revives and thrives in the face of the COVID-19 challenge.
