High street
Redrawing the map
Councils are the bodies to lead high street regeneration – but not without reform, argues Paul Swinney.
The high street is dead, long live the high street
Six Key Cities members received all or part of the Future High Streets funding they originally bid for. Cllr John Merry explains how high streets can become the beating hearts of communities once again.
When a digital community is the answer
Kathy Kyle Bonomini outlines how she and her team have created a free community platform and social media channels to enable groups to collaborate on high street rejuvenation.
Questions over councils' regeneration role
A lack of funds and expertise prevents local authorities from reversing the decline of many town centres, MPs have heard.
Jenrick announces delayed £830m high street investment
The Government has finally announced the 72 areas that will benefit from millions of pounds of funding as part of the effort to help high streets recover from the impact of the pandemic.
EXCLUSIVE: Anger over delays to high street bid funding
Funding to help boost the high street has not been paid to councils more than a year after the if was announced, The MJ has learned.
The PAC casts a gimlet eye on the ministry
The phrase ‘glass houses and throwing stones’ comes to mind when Government departments finger wag at local authorities over managing resources, says Michael Burton.
Why town centres have intergenerational appeal
We will need many more affordable homes in the heart of our communities that work for people of all ages if we are serious about building a society for all generations, say Stephen Burke and Roland Karthaus.
Vibrant high streets need vibrant cities and towns
The fundamental cause of high street decline is simple: a lack of local spending power, says Andrew Carter. 'People are typically paid more in Cambridge so they have more money to spend, both online and offline, than people in Burnley do'.
Yule talk to the trees
Local authorities throughout the UK may well be pondering how to welcome back people safely to the high street.
Solving town centres’ Rubik’s cube conundrum
Ensuring town centres are both vital and viable is not easy, writes Professor Cathy Parker. She says redefining them requires the strengthening of collective capacity through restructuring, repositioning, rebranding and reinventing.
Comeback for our communities
Tracey Crews says that while changes in retailing will inevitably lead to a retracted high street, the aim in Cheltenham is to bring back community to the town centre amidst a thriving mix of complementary uses.
Staying agile through the second lockdown
During 'Lockdown 2.0', resilient multi-agency systems and practices of support and enforcement are embedded throughout Great Yarmouth, Norfolk and the wider region, with councils working with partners closely and flexibly, says Sheila Oxtoby.
HOUSING: Investing in a not so risky business
With the recent scrutiny over Spelthorne BC’s investment decisions, James Duncan suggests it makes sense to consider other funding mechanisms for housing developments.
The Future of town centres
Councils, ‘as the ultimate reserve buyer with wider civic responsibilities’ are likely to end up owning shopping centres, says Richard White. He offers some advice on how to make high streets work.
An online lifeline for Watford's high street
Elected Mayor of Watford, Peter Taylor has announced a new partnership pilot that will see Watford become the UK’s first-ever WhatsApp High Street.
EXCLUSIVE: 'Ridiculous constraints' mar high street fund
Councils may be left out of pocket after spending thousands of pounds on safety measures they cannot claim back from an economic recovery fund, it has emerged.
Where next for high streets and city centres?
The Towns Fund selection process was controversial, but high streets and city centres face a bigger existential crisis. Ann McGauran reports.
How councils can reshape the future of high streets
Local authorities—many of whom are landlords — now have a unique opportunity to regenerate and transform our high streets for the future, say Andrew Knowles and Leena Gillespie.
Retail chiefs call for more rate relief as Sunak considers tax hikes
Retail chiefs have urged Chancellor Rishi Sunak to extend business rate relief just as he plans tax rises to reduce the £2 trillion hole in the public finances.
